I've been a outspoken advocate for gay rights since I was in the 7th grade, when I wrote my social studies thesis paper on the right of gay Americans to serve in the military. After I presented my paper, my ultra-conservative teacher told me that while he still didn't think that being gay was right, I had convinced him that regardless of what he thought, it was not his right to discriminate against people for being gay. Mr. Espinoza, wherever you are, this one is for you.Tomorrow is a huge day for America, with a important and historic presidential election. But for California, and for this blog, the day has special meaning. Tomorrow we will vote on whether or not we amend the constitution of this state to include discrimination - to strip the new found rights of gay and lesbian men and women to marry and have a legal foundation on which to build their families. We can not let this happen. So wherever you are in the state tomorrow, and whatever you are doing, go vote. I don't care if you are tired, if you are sick, if you have never voted before, if you don't think politics has anything to do with you, if its hard for you to get off work, if the voting lines seem long, or if you think the presidential election is in the bag. You need to walk out your door, and walk to the polling place and vote no on Prop 8.
Even though I have been a advocate for gay marriage since middle school, this year has brought a greater sense of appreciation for what gay marriage actually means. This year I've blogged about new found legal gay weddings in my home state, stood on the steps of San Francisco's city hall as the very first legally married gay couples walked out, and wept while I danced a celebratory hora at our LGBT shul the week that the Supreme Court decision was announced. Watching the faces of established gay families and lifetime partners as they were finally able to make their partnership legal has given me a sense of the value and sacredness of marriage that I didn't fully comprehend before. It has been such a gift to experience all this in the year that we are going to be married.
So for all those reasons, go vote tomorrow. Tell someone else to go vote tomorrow. Stand up for human rights, for equal rights, and stand up for all that is good and pure and true about marriage. Stand up and vote no on Prop 8.
Picture from this weeks amazing New York Times Vows column
22 comments:
I love that you brought your teacher around back in 7th grade. I hope you'll do the same with some readers today.
Thank you for such a beautiful post, Meg. I voted absentee several weeks ago (vote early and often?), but if I'm less sick tomorrow and have more voice, I'm going to try to make some No on 8 calls. (By the way, the word verification for this post is "tryin" - I hope that's auspicious. :-)
I wish I could be there to vote. I will be on the edge of my seat all day tomorrow.
And what a gorgeous, heartwarming picture.
This post brought tears to my eyes - beautifully written and so passionate. I feel so happy that I live in a country where queer couples can marry and outraged that this is being challenged elsewhere. Good luck California!
I have never been able to fathom why the hell the government should care when to consenting adults are getting married.
It's one thing for various religions to offer up their stances on it (not that I'll necessarily agree with them) but for a government body to still declare that someone is worth less than someone else is scary.
I'm in NJ, but I've been following Prop 8 and I hope it goes down in flames tomorrow. How anyone can look at pictures like the one you posted and not be moved and think "these people are a family" is beyond me. Good luck California!!
Just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to you and all our straight allies--we really depend on each of you to win this fight--both Prop 8, 2 and 102 and the larger war.
Amen sister!
Thanks for this post, Meg! It's great to have allies like you getting the word out (since 7th grade no less!)
Well said, Meg! This has been on my mind as much as (if not more than) the presidential race. Will be following closely tomorrow. Thinking good thoughts for my home state.
I am also voting No on Prop 8 and feel very strongly that we must protect the rights of every many and woman to live a full and happy life no matter who they share a bed with...but the neighborhood I live in is very conservative (politically and religiously) and nearly every yard has a "Yes on Prop 8" sign...so please remember to vote as this is a close race!
Right. On.
I love this post, its so passionate and well written. Hopefully those who are still on the fence will come round and realize discrimination in any form is just plain wrong. VOTE NO ON 8!
I can't wait to cast my ballot tomorrow, I was dismayed by the amount of Yes on 8 yardsigns I've seen in the last couple of weeks.
I am also of the mind that just because we're straight doesn't mean that we're "traditional."
I hope to be doing a happy dance tomorrow when I hear the California results! I wish I were still registered there, so I could do my part.
Thank you for a beautiful post! I feel so optimistic that Prop. 8 will be defeated when I'm home in LA, but a brief trip back to Orange County this weekend left me on pins and needles - yes on 8 signs were everywhere and it terrified me. Now I'm going to be antsy and nervous until the results come in. I've already voted, but I hope you convince other people to do the same.
good for you! I know a lot of wedding sites don't want to go political - I'm glad you went there.
I'll be voting no on 8 tomorrow. I have been so excited to see your posts about gay weddings and hope it continues to be legally recognized in California!
Thanks Meg. We were so elated to get married when we knew everyone in the state could.
thank you...you are amazing. sending you lots of love!!
You know,the Lord loves you very much, but this is not His plan for us concerning marriage... His plan is about a woman and a man..
John 3:16-18
Maybe your god, Anon. My god teaches me to love my neighbor as myself, and to especially love the outcasts.
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