No on Prop 8

My birthday is next month, and I couldn't think of a better present than a big old FAIL of Proposition 8, the article on the California state ballot that defines marriage as only between a man and a woman. What a bunch of BS. It makes me furious when I think about it, for myriad reasons.

The main reason is that I believe in treating people equally, regardless of age, race, gender, or sexual orientation. How is telling two gay men they can't get married any different than telling a black person that he/she can't marry a white person? Answer: it's no different.

I suppose proponents of Prop. 8 would argue that the bible says homosexuality is a sin. However, the United States (supposedly) separates church and state. Passing a law based on a group's religious beliefs is, well, BS. I don't need someone else's religion forced on me, ever. And I believe that the churches who are so actively politically campaigning against gay marriage should have their tax exempt statuses removed. Again: Separation of church and state, people.

But, religion aside, what really baffles me is the argument that if you're for gay marriage, you're against "traditional" marriage. WTF? How is that logical in any way? I'm for any type of marriage! Marriage is great, and it's also hard, and as an aside to that, I think we can attribute the high rate of divorces directly to the heterosexual parties involved and not one iota to the gay community. I fail to see how allowing a group of human beings some basic human rights threatens the rights of another group. I just can't make the connection. Maybe the Prop. 8 supporters are worried the gays will reserve all the good wedding venues? The caterers? The florists?

My codancer (who's getting married as well, early next year) officiated a wedding between two men recently and she said that they wrote beautiful letters about their relationship and read them to each other at the start of the ceremony with confidence and calm, nary a tear in sight. It was when she read the traditional ceremony to them after that (they had requested that she incorporate the "traditional" vows) that they started to cry. Later she said she realized they probably thought they'd never hear those words: "in sickness and health, for richer or poorer..." And that makes me want to cry.

Anyway, kudos to companies like Google and Apple and also to SF Mayor Gavin Newsom (whatever his other faults) for not bowing to the pressure of religious groups, and for supporting what's right: equality. That's what this country's supposed to be about, right?