Back in 2006 Brangelina announced that they would not marry until their queer sisters and brothers had that right. This week Brad donated $100,000* to fight Proposition 8, the right-wing-supported ballot initiative that would overturn the legal right, enshrined in California's constitution earlier this year, of same-sex couples to marry.
For our part, Charming Girlfriend and I volunteered this year with Equality for All. We accosted people coming out of supermarkets (CG thrives on this kind of confrontation, but I do not), gathering signatures, donations and allies. A lot of people were surprisingly nice (it's true that you can't judge by appearances) but we also had to deal with a lot of sneers and turned backs. During Pride weekend it was easier – pretty much everyone was gay, but then again they were sweaty and drunk. We learned that the folks behind the ballot initiative (Grinches, Slytherins – take your pick) were bringing in paid signature gatherers from out of state – presumably because they couldn’t find enough volunteers for their nefarious work in California.
Marriage used to be about property (see: land ownership, women and children as chattel). These days people like to think it’s about love, and plenty claim it’s about religion. But in our supposedly secular society, marriage is fundamentally about civil rights. When you deny two consenting, tax-paying adults the right to commit legally to each other – and benefit thereby in a thousand federally sanctioned ways – you are denying them full citizenship.
Californians, talk to your friends, family and co-workers. Stand up for your fellow citizens and your constitution. Vote No on Prop. 8.
*Just to show you the difference between me and Charming Girlfriend: when I told her about this, she said "$100,000? That's it?"
1 comment:
I found you by searching for others who also love *The Passion*. I will be back!
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