Why I am Voting NO on Prop 8

While I have never before used VentureBlog to discuss anything other than entrepreneurship and venture capital, I have decided to make an exception to discuss why it is I oppose Proposition 8 here in California. I have not made this decision lightly. I don't believe in mixing business and politics. But I believe that Proposition 8 runs sufficiently counter to the basic tenets of fairness and human decency that power our democracy that I can not sit idly by.

I was not yet born when Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech at the March on Washington in 1963. Had I been alive, however, I like to think that I would have been there cheering him on. I like to think that I would have stood against segregation and done everything in my power to dismantle that unjust system. I like to think that I would have put my legal background to work defeating those laws that made interracial marriage illegal. I like to think that I would have joined the picket lines, sat at the lunch counters, sued the school systems . . . done whatever I could to fight the injustice of segregation.

Today I think that Californians are at a similar crossroads. Like the courts that invalidated Jim Crow laws and segregation a half century ago, the California Supreme Court has determined that the State may not discriminate between heterosexual couples and same sex couples -- accordingly, the State Constitution requires that same sex couples be given the right to marry. In response to that ruling, thousands of same sex couples -- many of whom had been in monogamous relationships for decades -- rushed to get married. And, yet, those marriages are now in danger of being invalidated. That is just wrong.

A little over a month ago I attended the wedding of my good friends Ali and Laura. I came to know Ali and Laura as the moms of one of my son's school friends. Ali and Laura are smart, successful, caring women who, above all else, are wonderful mothers. Their sons are growing up in a stable and loving home. Yet, until this year, Ali and Laura could not contemplate getting married. Their wedding ceremony was as much a celebration of their love for each other and their powerful committed relationship, as it was the validation of their family unit. At the wedding, my son's friends celebrated the fact that they could have married parents just like the other kids in their school. It was truly a joyous day.

Yet, Proposition 8 seeks to take away that right. Not only would Proposition 8 strip Ali and Laura, and thousands of other committed gay couples like them, of their right to marry, it would strip their sons of their right to have married parents. Should we amend the State Constitution to not only take away Ali and Laura's rights, but also the rights of their sons? And if Laura and Ali can be stripped of their right to wed, why not also my brother and sister in law, who are of different races? Should they fear that their rights are the next to be stripped away? Should my niece be concerned that the citizens of California may deem her unworthy of having married parents as well?

To my mind, voting NO on Proposition 8 is very simply an issue of fairness. Proposition 8 seeks to amend the Constitution to take away the rights of same sex couples -- the very same rights that heterosexual couples have always had. That is not equality. All of my children, gay or straight, should have the opportunity to marry the person they love. Anything shy of that simply does not reflect the ideals upon which this country has been built. So I urge you to vote NO on Proposition 8 this coming Tuesday. Ali and Laura's sons deserve to have happily married parents. Who are we to take that away from them?

Comments

[https://me.yahoo.com/a/rlOUlzY_39SoRZFDQw_YO0.hndrxxHZKdQ--#7ee20]

Completely agree and thanks for the post (and for the Lobby last week). This is California's chance in 2008 to stop discrimination in the same way people stepped out of their comfort zones to take another step in stopping racial discrimination 45 years ago.
Cheers
Julie

[https://me.yahoo.com/a/hL3bmcR6gdYIyrvCWf43HYY.qq7pgjX6GEaW.TnBZj.1#81b68]

As usual, sir -- right on the money, and pithy at the same time. voted last week, best 2 stamps i ever peeled. (wonder if we are going to have to explain things like this to our kids someday... that it was ever an issue. sadly, probably not. but happy to explain what 'dialing a phone number" refers to.)

[https://me.yahoo.com/a/hL3bmcR6gdYIyrvCWf43HYY.qq7pgjX6GEaW.TnBZj.1#81b68]

By the way, i hate open ID as much as prop 8. the mysterious #2 is me. - Randy K

[perpetualmotion.wordpress.com]

Quite perfectly said and well worth breaking the wall between business & politics to comment on the issue! Cheers for it.

[kmilo.myopenid.com]

I didn't know interracial marriage was illegal at Martin Luther King times (just 50 years ago)

[https://me.yahoo.com/a/SFeayaY0htBVTqnCizVOchTaIQ--#5ae28]

Hi,
I am doing a research project on Veteran Entrepreneurs. I need both veterans and non veterans. If you would take a few minutes to fill out my survey I would greatly appreciate it.
Please follow the link below
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=MwxBBUTolAXjzQiCcaqnNQ_3d_3d

Thanks,
Andrew
Virginia Military Institute
Class of 2009

[lacoste shoes]

Ideal is the beacon. Without ideal , there is no secure direction without direction , there is no life .Do you understand?

[chi hair tools]

Thank you for this post, really interesting. Feel free to comment on my blog, I was solving similar problem.

[Gucci handbags]

Gucci is a famous brand in the world , and is originate from Italy and create by Guccio Gucci. He is a famous designer. His products are popular with most of people . His design are originality and natural. Gucci bags and Gucci outlet are also popular and elegant. You can search for our website : http://www.gucciusaoutlet.com.

[Supra Skytop II]

First game we were great and the second game we were not very good and they were great

[taobao spree]

i love you posts

[Cheap Asics Shoes]

Just about the most cherished factor in existence is friendship. By far the most valuable matter in between us is understanding.

[cheap jordans]

Nature is more and more be destroyed, we must self-inspection

[supra skytops]

[ this is good]

[jones]

i believe that marriage should be a right given to all. The constitution states everyone should have the same rights and equal opportunities as heterosexual couples. Propostion 8 violates these rights in every way and use children to push forth the passing of this law.

[wholesale fashion]

Nice to be visiting your blog again, it has been months for me.

This is one of the most impressive post for me.

[DEKARONデカロン-RMT]

DEKARONデカロン-RMT of a site.rmt ff11 The cost of a site would be how much it costs to run it. The worth of a site is determined mainly by how much revenue the site is bringing in.信長の野望Online RMT Other factors would include how much traffic the site is bringing in on a monthly basis, email subscribers if any,アラド戦記 rmt rmt ドラゴンネスト メイプルストーリー RMT アラド戦記 rmt rmt アラド rmt ff11 信長の野望Online RMT 大航海時代-RMT DEKARONデカロン-RMT

[Air Jordan 16]

Even a baby gets fussy when his mother is upset.

[Coach Poppy]

No matter what we're, all of us ought to to warmly invite the reader to learn about our outstanding project. Superb personality is among the decisive elements in British research. Persistence, persistence, self-confidence and determination are badly needed

[mbt shoes]

mbt the Masai Barefoot Technology built into the shoe encourages better posture, better muscle tone and more energy expenditure in everything from standing still to running full tilt.

[mac cosmetics]

Love taking photos. Love everything about it. I love to talk about it. I love to dream about it. I see the wonderful inspiring photos online and wish I can be the one taking it. yeah, that’s my ultimate dream.

[Coach Purses]

You can share some of your article, I'm like you write something, really very good! I will continue to focus on

[Supra Shoes]

I don't feel up to that.

[ビブラム]

Then I end up on the basin to put some tap water.Start cleaning the vibram , I first ビブラム wet.Then, I use a scrub brush back and forth on the edge of the fivefingers .The edge of the shoe is still relatively easy to brush the mud, but the shoe side of the dirt is more difficult to wash away.They do not want hanging around is to move about the body.

[Womens New Balance]

To my mind, voting NO on Proposition 8 is very simply an issue of fairness.

[Cheap TN Requin]

http://www.cheapniketn.com/Air-TN.htm
http://www.cheapniketn.com/Nike-TN-2010.htm

[Polo Outlet]

The nomination of the winner depends on the capability and spirit of the personality to finish the race.I like the post very much as it contain informative in knowledge.I like pics of Chelsea shares of the beauty of running in Madison, Wisconsin.I want to congratulate the winner for the nomination race.I want to know suggestion from others.

[Cheap Bikinis]

i come here first time. You can share some of your article, I'm like you write something, really very good! I will continue to focus on

[Cheap Onitsuka Tiger]

Only an injunction)0f the lessening Can avoid that problem． Defendant： 1)Our name accurately reflected the first BaFfle of the owner of the store．andwe used the word“secret”as a kind of inside ioke because we wanted to keep the new business a secret from a former boss at a competing store．

[Asics Shoes]

Such a good writing, or by I saw for the first time. I'm quite happy, you are a good writer

[Prada Outlet]

In Edinburgh, renowned surgeon and now instructor of anatomy Dr. MacFarlane, persists to be spending John Gray, a cabman, to clandestinely deliver him exhumed bodies for the recently deceased for classroom demonstration purposes. With cemeteries getting progressively guarded, Gray turns to murder to provide MacFarlane with fresh new bodies. Realizing that he will by no suggests be rid of Gray, who continually taunts him with his information of MacFarland’s previous indiscretions, MacFarlane engages the malevolent Gray within of a hand-to-hand battle in the direction of the death, the ultimate last results of which provide the victor with an episode of unprecedented psychological horror.

[griffey shoes]

Thanks for your great post.I gonna be back definitely to check the new.
It is great that something interesting here could be found.Excellent work!

[ken griffey shoes]

I have never read such a wonderful article and I am coming back tomorrow to continue reading.

[messi f50]

This shoe is a great selection for tennis players. Although fancier ones exist, when thought in terms of price and performance it is the best option.

[messi f50]

This shoe is a great selection for tennis players. Although fancier ones exist, when thought in terms of price and performance it is the best option.

[Herve leger]

Thank you for this post, really interesting. Feel free to comment on my blog, I was solving similar problem.
..

[rolex daytona]

Vallarino said that once he learned about Varela's dismissal he spoke with Martinelli to voice his support for Varela.Vallarino, a former banker and businessman, has maintained Panama's economy vigorous during his 26-month tenure, with three international rating agencies putting the country's credit rating on a positive outlook.Martinelli has repeatedly asked Vallarino to remain as finance minister until he finds a replacement to ensure the healthy development of the Central American country's economy, which is projected to grow 9 percent this year.

[Cadlobdaw]

hc5 cheap ugg boots uk yn4 http://christdate.net/blogs/entry/cheap-ugg-65yk

[Gefantergerar]

HMHBVEIGBK canada goose SBPCMXXHCD http://bostonbruinsjersey.blogage.de/entries/2011/12/23/canada-goose-parka