It's my first diary. I'm a little nervous. Please be gentle.
Today I saw something that has moved me to write to all of you to ask for your help.
I think by now most, if not all, of you are aware of the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign in California. It has been covered thoroughly, and passionately, on these boards for the past few weeks. In a few words, this proposition seeks to deny equal protections and write discrimination against one group of people—lesbian and gay people—into our (California) state constitution.
A few weeks ago many of us woke up when we realized that it was likely this proposition might pass. If the polls from October were a wake up call, my experience today was a slap in the face.
On our way to my son's soccer game this morning, in a sleepy little suburb of Los Angeles, we passed a Yes on Proposition 8 crowd protesting along the street. I was shocked by the glee with which these people conveyed and supported bigotry and discrimination. As I took the attached pictures of this group, they began cheering and mugging for the camera. The mood changed completely when my husband leaned out of the window and asked, "How does it feel to be a bigot?" One woman's jaw dropped and another covered his face with his sign. Several just ignored us. I never stopped taking pictures.
At first I was deeply saddened, just like I was when I received an email from a family member of a friend, asking for my help. I quote it in its entirety here because it is so moving and puts a face on the families that will be affected if this thing passes.
Hi All,
I don't normally feel compelled to share my personal thoughts with an entire community but, right now I feel a deep commitment to share a bit about our family. We have a big wonderful family spread out across the country from coast to coast. Our family is VERY close, we enjoy each others company and love to spend time together. Now, there is no mistaking the fact that we are all different and unique, the same as any family. We have our quiet people (not too many), our boisterous ones, our conservatives, our liberals and all the crazy fun types, too. But one thing we definitely are, is supportive of each other, no matter what.
One of our families lives in Southern California. The parents are hard working, educated, every Sunday church goers, involved in the community and volunteer when ever possible. This family has a beautiful 4 year old adopted daughter. She was adopted in an open adoption in Ohio 4 years ago. These parents are also raising 2 other girls who they rescued via the Foster system from a neglectful mother addicted to drugs and alcohol.
SO, while one parent goes off to work to earn money to keep the quality of life at it's highest, the other stays home and performs all those millions of tasks that keep a household running, you all know what I mean.... just like any other family. So, these are wonderful people doing wonderful work and giving of themselves in ways that most of us wish we could. These are my Brother's-in-Law, They are currently legally married and they are a same-sex couple deeply committed to each other and to our family. They have navigated through this life and the justice system with VERY few rights and still have found a way to accomplish extraordinary things. They have ALWAYS been treated as second class citizens but continue to hold their heads high and take the high road of responsibility. They deserve to have rights just like any other family.
Sometimes I think people don't realize what's at stake for us and countless other families in the same predicament this year. I want to gently and respectfully remind people that if Prop 8 passes, our niece will have NO rights of survivorship, NO inheritance rights and NO dignity or warm safe feelings in her family. Taking away marriage equality would unravel the fabric these good people use to keep going.
Here in the land of the "free" our family is struggling to understand why some very wealthy powerful organizations around here are pouring millions of dollars for a call to action to rip our family apart. It feels hateful and awful to us. My feeling is that if the members of these group are against same sex marriage then don't marry a gay person but, why they push their views on me is beyond my comprehension. We have read and heard that the ultimate goal is to remove the adopted children from same-sex households. All I can say is good luck! Can you really imagine taking such basic rights away from such fine citizens? I know this is only one family's story but you can be sure that there are hundreds (if not thousands around the country) of family's with similar stories.
If you are a Californian, Please vote NO on Prop 8, and tell others to do the same
Thank you for your time.
This letter moved me to tears. My experience today moved me to action. I want to send a message to those who share these same hateful beliefs.
I want to send the message that if you are on the side of justice and equality for all, you cannot support this proposition. Many loving families are going to be deeply affected and altered if it passes. I know I am probably preaching to the choir here but now is the time to make your voice heard.
If you live in Los Angeles and have time to spare, a No on Proposition 8 rally is being held tomorrow in Eagle Rock, Sunday Nov 2nd from 3-5 pm, on the corner of Colorado and Eagle Rock Blvds. I am asking you to spread the word and come stand with us to let passers by know that bigotry and discrimination is unacceptable. We have extra signs for you once you arrive or you can bring your own handmade signs.
If you cannot make this rally, please visit http://www.noonprop8.com/... to see 5 easy things you can do to ensure that this proposition does not pass. Including contacting just 5 of your friends in California to ask them to vote No on 8.
I know this election season has many of us tired, frustrated, frightened, financially tapped and overwhelmed. We've got 2 days to go. If you are in Los Angeles, please come stand with my family as we stand with other families whose are being subjected to this perverse discrimination, and whose rights are being threatened, if this proposition passes. Stand with us to send the profound message... love is more powerful than hate.