Official Participant in the Youth Media Blog-a-Thon

From: chicoSol

Since the founding of this nation, laws have been passed to discriminate when American leaders felt threatened.

There was a time when women were thought to be soul-less; finally, women earned the right to vote. There was a time when slavery was legal, and even when slavery was abolished, the Racial Integrity Act of 1924 made interracial marriage a felony. The act was not overturned until the civil rights landmark case Loving v. Virginia in 1967.

This country has come far in the fight for equality; however, we are not finished.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court overturned a law passed in 2000, a ruling that legalized same-sex marriages in California. People unhappy with the ruling brought a new initiative to the election’s forefront: Proposition 8.

Prop 8, if passed, would ensure that marriage between same-sex couples will not be “valid” or “recognized” in California.

I am 22 and heterosexual, but this issue is pertinent to me because I was raised by a same-sex couple for three years beginning when I was 10. These preteen/early-teen years are considered impressionable, and I’m sure they were. The years that I spent in the care of this couple taught me to welcome diversity and fight for equality.

I was healthy. I was happy. I acquired a well-rounded and well-balanced perception of what it was to love everyone and to see everyone for who they are: multi-dimensional, real people with virtues and shortcomings alike. I wouldn’t change this time in my life for anything.

Proponents of Prop 8 are using fear tactics. The television ads continue to deceive people, and a number of the claims are false.

The ads claim that children will be taught about same-sex marriage in schools. While I do not personally believe it is wrong to teach children about diversity in the family—some children do in fact have two mommies—the fact is that it is untrue. In the state of California, parents and guardians have the legal right to remove their children from any instruction they find conflicting with their personal religious beliefs and moral convictions.

The ads also create fear by convincing people they can be sued over their personal beliefs. But California law already prohibits discrimination against race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

Although there are more misleading claims in the Prop 8 ads, I will touch on just one last falsehood: the claim that churches will lose tax-exempt status if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings.

The May 15, 2008, California Supreme Court ruling regarding same-sex marriage and the church states: “…no religion will be required to change its religious policies or practices with regard to same-sex couples, and no religious officiant will be required to solemnize a marriage in contravention of his or her religious beliefs. (Cal. Const., art. I, § 4.)”

See now, it’s not so threatening, is it? Why do we care so much if people want to marry? Who is really hurt by all of this? The churches? Or gays and lesbians?

On Nov. 4, Californians will decide whether to pass a law that legitimizes homophobia. It is our duty to continue the fight for equality. It is our responsibility to put a stop to discrimination. By endorsing this kind of bigotry, we will be sending a message to children with a similar experience to mine—the message that their mommy, daddy, auntie, whomever, is wrong and bad and does not deserve the privileges enjoyed by “better” people.

It is time we join the great leaders of equal rights on the platform for equality. Take the stand against discrimination and vote no on Prop 8.

Marriage is not a government-issued privilege. Marriage is a human right.
—Mischa McCortney