CA Prop 8 is the movement to write discrimination into the state constitution. It would strip gays and lesbians of our right to marry. Legal gay marriage in CA is vitally important, a setback here would put gay rights back a decade or more. Please see this diary for an excellent discussion and personal story.
We used to be ahead by a healthy margin, but the polls have turned, and now we are down by 5%. The conservative right-wing has a huge monetary advantage, to the tune of $10 million. This is my call for help. It's addressed to Ellen because of her unique position as an out gay woman in Hollywood, beloved by millions of women (and men!) all over the county. She has spoken out in opposition of Prop 8 on her show and on her blog, but I urge her to do more. I urge everyone to do more. My letter below the fold.
Dear Ellen,
We are losing in California. Despite being the capital of Gay USA, despite being a liberal bastion, despite the thousands of gay couples that have already been married, despite California's historical propensity of saying no to all manner of Propositions, despite all this, California is turning on us. The polls have switched and the pro-Prop 8 campaign has a $10 million dollar advantage, funded by conservative right-wing coffers.
In these hard economic times, everyday people have raised thousands of dollars to defend marriage equality, but it's not enough. We cannot raise enough – we need you.
Ellen, we appreciate your words of support on your blog, but we need more. We need you and everyone you know to donate money - lots of it - to the Prop 8 opposition. So goes California, so goes the country. We won recently in Connecticut, but it's not enough. If we lose in California, it will set equality back a decade.
Ellen, we loved when you married Portia – it brought smiles to the faces of everyone I know, from my gay friends to my grandmother. Everyone should have the right to marry the person that they love. I'd like to marry my girlfriend too, but if Prop 8 passes, there will be no reason for us to take the trip to California in May.
I beseech you. Prop 8 must not pass. Though your voice is appreciated, your words kind, it is your influence that we need most. Hollywood has put up $250,000 in support of marriage equality, but the conservative right-wing has millions and millions more.
Ellen, please put your money where your heart is. Please put your influence where your beliefs are. Please defend the dignity of you, and me, and people everywhere. Though gay marriage does not demean the institution of marriage, denying this right to us does.
Sincerely,
Jalynn
Cross-posted at Adventures in Cubeland.
Update #1
Thank you Ellen!
Now, I'm not saying that it was my letter that led Ellen to produce the following PSA, but I did post my letter two days ago...just saying.
This video was released with the following press release.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ellen Urges Californians to Vote NO on Prop. 8
Campaign Applauds Ellen's Move
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, LOS ANGELES – The NO on Prop 8 campaign, Equality for All, today thanked Ellen DeGeneres for releasing a video message urging Californians to vote no on Proposition 8. Ellen released the public service announcement to confront the false and misleading scare tactics being used by the proponents of Prop 8.
Ellen's message says, "Hi, I'm Ellen DeGeneres. I got to do something this year I never thought I'd ever be able to do: I got married. It was the happiest day of my life. There are people out there raising millions of dollars to try and take that right away from me. You've seen their ads on TV. They're twisting the truth, and they're trying to scare you. I believe in fairness. I believe in compassion. I believe in equality for all people. Proposition 8 does not. Please, please, vote NO on Prop. 8."
"Ellen DeGeneres is someone Californians know and respect," said Patrick Guerriero, Campaign Director. "Her voice has a tremendous ability to elevate this conversation above the scare tactics and help people understand what's at stake for the people they know and care about."
Ellen's video can be viewed on line at:
http://ellen.warnerbros.com/... and at www.NoOnProp8.com
"Fair-minded Californians agree that we should not eliminate the fundamental rights of our neighbors, our friends, our co-workers and our family members," said Guerriero. "Like Ellen, fair-minded Californians are going to vote no on Prop 8."
The campaign released information to debunk the lies of proposition supporters late last week. Ellen says the proposition proponents are "twisting the truth and trying to scare you," and the Equality for All campaign agrees.