When proposition 8 was passed in November, I felt incredibly hurt and angry. It stripped close friends (and millions of other decent people) of a basic right: the right to marry. Despite my anger, I thought that there was little I could realistically do. Ever since then, I've been looking for an opportunity to do something, anything, that could help. To my surprise, it looks like that opportunity has already arrived. Prop. 8 has been challenged in the courts, and looks like it might be overturned! Even better, it looks like California citizens like you and me can influence the outcome.
Here's how. There are two anti-prop 8 resolutions being considered by the California legislature RIGHT NOW. Basically, they say that prop 8 was improper, and violates the equal protection clauses in the state constitution. Since the legislature makes the laws and represents the people, these resolutions will send a strong message to the court. Even more importantly, these resolutions provide solid legal arguments to overturn prop 8.
Now, believe it or not, we've got some real control over our congresscritters. If we want these resolutions passed, all we've got to do is ask. Those guys up in Sacramento care deeply about keeping their jobs, so when they get phone calls and letters from voters they pay attention. So, all we need to do is give them a call and tell them how we feel.
Now, here's the part where you can help. It's small, and it'll only take about seven minutes of your time. I've already done this myself, and I clocked it. Here it is:
- You need to know your State Assemblyman (or woman) and State Senator. Go to this website and submit your zip code. It'll give you both of them, along with all their contact info. (30 seconds)
- Call your Assemblyman (or woman). Most likely, a staff member will answer the phone. Tell them that you're a constituent, and ask for your Assemblyman's (or woman's) position on HR 5. If they support it, then tell them thank you very much. If they don't, then tell them that they SHOULD support it, and you'll be thinking about this next time elections roll around. This conversation will probably be surprisingly short and easy. (3 minutes)
- Call your State Senator. Ask about their position on SR 7. If they don't support it yet, then tell them that they should and remind them that you vote. (3 minutes)
You probably have a cell phone on you, so you can do this right now. It's amazing, but taking a couple minutes out of your day can make a HUGE impact. It's also remarkably stress free, because the person on the other end of the phone cares about your opinion and is certainly NOT going to get in an argument with you.
If you want further information, you can check out Equality California's website here. They've got some great factsheets, as well as the full text of the resolutions.
Oh, and if you're a procrastinator like me: DON'T PUT THIS OFF. THE VOTE IS ON TUESDAY. MONDAY IS A HOLIDAY. IF YOU DON'T GET THROUGH TODAY, LEAVE A MESSAGE. IT ONLY TAKES A FEW MINUTES.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, and thanks again. It's important to me, but it's even more important to friends and family who got shafted by prop 8. Marriage is a wonderful thing, and I firmly believe that it strengthens our society. We need to protect the rights of EVERYBODY who wants to make that life-long commitment to somebody that they love. Take a couple of minutes, right now, and help do the right thing.