Would you take basic human rights away?

Dear Friends,

I’d like to think that if I ask this question to anyone in the United States the answer would be a sound and even aggravated NO. Unfortunately, this is not the case. There are in fact thousands that are saying AND voting YES to such a question in the upcoming election in the state of California.

Proposition 8 is an initiative state constitutional amendment on the 2008 California General Election ballot, titled: Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry. As simple as that: “Eliminates rights.”

I thought the idea was to move forward. I thought everyone is supposed to be equal under the eyes of the law. But then I remembered that the law is made by human beings, and truth to be told, we have many prejudices clouding our judgment when making decisions.

This is my two cents.

We have no right to impose on others how to live their lives and this is exactly what this proposition does. Many things have been said about this amendment and I have yet to hear a single valid argument to pass it.

I shudder to think that such amendment could be passed. I find it even absurd. But this is the world we live in and we have to push for what is correct despite irrational and unfair views and perspectives. People have a natural tendency to fear change (which is truly ironic since everything in the universe IS change), and the right for any human being to marry another is as basic as the right to live. Otherwise, how can we truly say that we are free?

Those in favor of passing this revision of the law have used many false and misleading tactics to have constituents voting in favor of this amendment. They have gone as low as to suggest that children will be corrupted as a result of voting NO on prop 8. A reminder to those who are not as informed: This is a revision of a law that ALREADY exists, the one that talks about the right to marry and this amendment has nothing to do with the educational system or curriculum.

Others bring up religion. I could mention the separation between church and state, but it is evident that the two are not completely detached from one another. However, it has been refreshing to see that many religious leaders from different faiths across the state have opposed the measure.

We are facing, yet again, another cornerstone in the struggle for “equality and justice for all.” We have taken many steps forward and occasionally many back. But we have to continue moving forward nonetheless. I for one wish that the right thing is done is this upcoming election. We are so very capable of doing what is correct, and taking people’s rights away is not.

Thank you for reading.

NO on Prop 8.