Proposition 8: Our Rights at Risk

This post was submitted by TNG reader "John."

This is a wake-up call. While many of us have been obsessing over the horse race between Obama and McCain, and having a good chuckle at the ineptitude of Sarah Palin, a measure to re-ban same-sex marriage in California has been gaining public support. There has been a lot of talk on this blog about what divides gay men and lesbians. Here’s something that unites us: we are the targets of a well-organized campaign to deny us of basic civil equality. In California, we now face the prospect of being stripped of rights that we have already gained.

Proposition 8 is a ballot initiative that seeks to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in the state of California. (A “Yes” vote indicates support for stripping existing married couples of their rights). As you know, in May, the California Supreme Court ruled that prohibitions on same-sex marriage violated the equal protection clause of the California constitution, thereby permitting the consummation of thousands of same-sex nuptials. On November 4th, Californians will not merely express their preference for Obama or McCain for President. They also will determine whether thousands of married couples will enjoy the right to continue their marriages, and whether countless others will one day enjoy the right to begin a marriage. On a far broader scale, the potential failure of marriage equality in California would be a serious blow to the greater LGBT rights movement.

For much of the past few months, Proposition 8 seemed destined for failure. As recently as September 18th, a poll found 55% opposed to Proposition 8, with only 38% in favor of banning same-sex marriage. On September 25th, the lead narrowed to 49-44%. Now, on the strength of a $10 million spending advantage, the anti-gay side has recently waged an effective ad campaign that some credit for swinging public support in favor of Proposition 8. A poll released just days ago reveals a 47-42% deficit in public support for marriage equality.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsome is featured in the ad most widely credited with changing the trajectory of the campaign for equality. Needless to say, it is riddled with lies. I have no idea who this assclown professor from Pepperdine featured in the ad is, but he’s full of shit, I’ll tell you that much.

Now that we’re all aware of what’s going on, let’s do something about it. Know people in California? Get in touch with them. Urge them to vote NO. Want to correct some of the lies and distortions in the ad above? Go to the NoProp8 website and contribute to the cause. And don’t tell me that you’re broke. I’ve been in grad school for four years – none of you are as broke-ass as me, and I know some of you have paid whatever "Town" charges for a cover. Please consider a modest donation to the marriage equality cause before we run out of time. The election is less than a month away. Don’t just sit there.