Tawn and I need your help, please. Just a few minutes of it.
On November 4th, Californians will vote on Proposition 8 which will explicity take away the right of gay men and lesbian women to marry. Tawn and I, now together for almost nine years, are planning on getting married when we are back in California this December. We need your help to get the word out to Californians to vote NO on Proposition 8.
Outside of the issue of equal rights, this would represent a frightening precedent of the rights of a minority being taken away after they have been won. This is a disturbing example of Alex de Tocqueville’s “tyranny of the majority”, whereby majority opinion is allowed to trample the civil rights of the minority.
Here’s how you can help me and Tawn:
Contact the people you know in California – let them know about me and Tawn and that if Proposition 8 passes, we’ll be unable to marry in December. Ask them to vote no on the proposition and to talk with their friends, family and fellow citizens, too.
If you are a Californian, talk to people who think differently from you – it is easy to “preach to the choir” but the ones who need to hear form you are the undecided voters, the ones for whom a personal story will make all the differentce. Studies have shown that personalizing the issues makes people more supportive of equal rights.
If you are a registered voter in California, remember to vote – right now the proposition is slightly ahead in voter support. To defeat it, we will need ever supporter who is registered to vote to actually get out to the polls. Your vote will count!
Consider contributing to the “No on 8” campaign – They are being outspent by 2-to-1 by donations from outside the state, 30% of which have come from the Mormon Church. I have already made a donation and hope you will join me. Even if you donate just $10, you will help buy valuable television airtime so our side of the debate can be heard. Click here to donate at Equality California’s secure website.
I know that we are ready for the political silly season to be over. Hang in there and help me and Tawn out for this one last issue! We’re looking forward to sharing your marriage with you this December, but we can’t do it without your support. Vote NO on Proposition 8.
Thanks for your help.
christao408 
Shit, as a minister I’d marry you. I’m already planning to vote no on most of the initiatives…including 8
You know Chris, I really wish I could vote on this! I have been asking people I met in LA (at work mostly)to vote NO. I really hope that we get to see the pictures from you wedding this December. All the best.
I am not a U.S. citizen. But I support you.
If I could vote in CA, I’d vote no to proposition 8.
still don’t get why you keep supporting obama/biden when they both are against gay marriage (not that mccain is for it either) instead of voting 3rd party.
3 CA votes for you in our house.
@murisopsis – Obama/Biden will repeal DOMA, allowing federal recognition of same-sex unions (including marriages, even if that’s not their preferred form of same-sex union). Federal recognition would lead to equalization of immigration policy for mixed-nationality couples, incidentally.
I wish I could vote for you. But sadly, I am no where near Cali.I will recc for you though 🙂
@generasianx – Tony, the reason is as misha_a wrote: “Obama/Biden will repeal DOMA, allowing federal recognition of same-sex unions (including marriages, even if that’s not their preferred form of same-sex union). Federal recognition would lead to equalization of immigration policy for mixed-nationality couples, incidentally.” The marriage is just part of the issue. What I’m really looking for is the right for Tawn to immigate to the US as my partner and currently, the DOMA prohibits that.
@LaLaLici0us – @murisopsis – @Dezinerdreams – @choyshinglin – Thanks for your support! Even if you aren’t a voter in California, plesae spread the word to anyone you know there. It will make a difference.
@LostSock21 – Thanks for your support.
@misha_a – Thanks – you are absolutely right about why Obama / Biden need to be elected. This ultimately is about DOMA and immigration rights.
you are the 2nd couple I hv just known within an hour been together for 9 years, that’s just great and for sure I”ll tell whoever I know living in CA to vote for your guys!!!!
I really, really hope that you guys are able to get married and I so wish that I could actually vote no on the proposition!
i would vote if i could..but not in cali. i wish you two the best of luck!
You have the votes of everyone in my household. All two of us.
The way McCain handled the debate yesterday, I think Obama has a very strong likelyhood. But I put nothing past the Republicans for pulling another wildcard in their favor.
Howie and I are also considering seriously after the election if Prop 8 goes in our favor to get married. I continue to contribute to the No on 8 inititive. Hoping that what I do will contribute enought to swing the vote to our favor. It is dishearting the number of cars and signs I see out even our area. Almost angers me that so many people could not see past their small world on how this effects so many gays and lesbians in California. Frankly I have so little faith in our court system, would’t a supreme court vote disallow this type of proprosition from even getting on the ballot in the first place. Its the California Supreme court! Too many loop holes in a broken legal system….
If it passes, we can be each others ring bearers 🙂
Bruce
I have written to my relatives and called them to vote no for the proposition. All the best dearest friend.
Chris you have all in our household in the “No on 8” column. I have also been very vocal in all of my organizations. I’m surprised your ears aren’t burning. I have mentioned you and Tawn so many times in the past few months. Actually you aren’t the only ones I mention. I have many friends in the same place you two are, including co-workers. Hugs to you both, Sandy
@alextebow – Thanks for the support, Alex. Be sure to talk with coworkers, friends, and anyone else, too. People are surprisingly receptive and when you let them know that a vote for 8 would hurt people you know and love, they will often rethink their pposition.
@maxwebr – Well, the proposition system was added to the state constitution by the voters and I think the supreme court has not found the system unconstitutional (although I think legislating needs to be done by legislators), but I agree that the people of California need to understand how this is going to affects tens of thousands of people. Thanks for your continued support of the movement. Would be great to see you and Howie get married.
@agmhkg – @TheCheshireGrins – @babydot74 – Thanks for your support!
@ZSA_MD – Thank you Zakiah, for your support and action. I’m sure your relatives respect your opinion a great deal and I hope they will vote against the measure and share their views with others, too.
@stebow – Thanks, Sandy. Tawn and I have long appreciated how supportive you, Dick and the family have been of us and our relationship. Looking forward to seeing you all in December and celebrating our marriage.
I m gonna get all my Cali people’s attention on this!!
As a MA resident, it’s good to see Cali catch up, but scary to think people will vote Yes on discrimination. YOU GOT MY SUPPORT!
I will email the one and only Californian that I know about this.He’s working for Obama in Colorado right now, so I’m not sure that he can vote on this.We’ll see.I cannot see why people are so against same-sex marriage; they act as if they’re somehow hurt when two people of the same gender marry each other! What’s the point of making something a crime if there isn’t a victim?
I have a sister in CA, and I’m quite sure she plans to vote no, but you’ve convinced me to talk to her and see. I think it’s sad that my own state hasn’t allowed gay marriage yet(I mean, we have Rehoboth Beach, if you know anything about it), and I don’t want to see it taken away from those it has already been given to!
I wish I knew people in California, then I’d tell them to vote “no.” You guys shouldn’t be discriminated against because you’re gay, it’s unconstitutional (if that even means anything anymore).
I wish you guys the best!
you have my vote! 😀
If I wasn’t on the other side of the country I’d vote No on 8, that is awful that they are trying to do that.
@OctavoDia – Thank you very much for your support. As a MA resident, I’m sure you’ve seen that the sky does not fall when same sex couples can get married just like different sex couples. Despite 11,000+ same sex couples already having married in CA, it seems many people do not get the message and think the sky will fall.
@moptoplop – Thank you for your support. Please let your friend in California no that not only should he vote NO on 8, but it would be great if he would speak to his friends, coworkers, and others he knows and ask them to vote the same way.
@Child_of_the_Earth – While I’m unfamiliar with Rehoboth Beach, I thank you for your support. Please ask your sister not only to vote NO on 8, but to spread the word to her friends and coworkers and ask them to vote NO on 8, too.
@Vampiric_Essence – Thank you for your support. I agree with you completely.
@perkagildu – Thank you for your support.
@princess_riceball – Thanks for your support. Remember, even if you aren’t a California vote, you can spread the word to friends and family and supporting the cause through donations (even $5 or $10 will help buy precious airtime). Thanks again.
while I agree in principle, in practice I can’t vote in Cali but you’ve my moral support
CA is such a liberal state I doubt that Prop 8 will get voted in.
Thanks to your post, I remembered to call up my sister who lives in CA. Unfortunately, she’s not registered to vote there..I sincerely hope that Prop 8 does NOT get passed. I’d love to see this country embrace gay rights in the near future.
Don’t know any californians, but this is an important issue and i hope the result is what we are hoping for. good luck with the vote and with your relationship!
@AppsScraps – Brent, your moral support is greatly appreciated, thanks!
@streetphotos – Interestingly, while you would expect California to be so liberaly that Prop 8 would have no chance, it is ahead by about five percentage points for two reasons:
The strong get out the vote effort for Senator Obama is actually increasing the number of voters in two constituencies (African Americans and Latinos) that tend to vote against gay rights.
Additionally, conservative groups have brought in a tremendous amount of money and are bombarding the state, many parts of which are actually very conservative, with TV ads. The Pro-8 groups are outspending the No-8 groups about 2-to-1, with Mormons providing about 30% of the Pro-8 funding.
That’s why we need all the support against Prop 8 we can muster. Please ask anyone you know in California to vote NO on 8. Thanks!
@spiritedsherry – Thanks for your support. Even if she is not registered, your sister can talk with friends and colleagues there and let them know that she would like their vote against prop 8. It is amazing the influence that we can have when we talk with people and share personal stories of how such a vote would impact the lives of people we know. Thanks again!
@gracehopper6 – Thank you for your support!
I’d donate if I could, and I don’t know anyone in California – but all I can really say is that I hope it doesn’t go through. I wish everyone could live in a Country where gay marriage is legal everywhere, like I do.
If I lived in California or knew somebody there I’d totally vote no or tell a friend to vote no. Unfortunately, I don’t know anybody there. BUT I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, and I hope that you are able to get married. After 9 years together, I think you’ve earned the right to make it “official”.
I’m already spreading the word NO for prop 8. I got you, homes.
I do live in California, and my boyfriend and I will both undoubtedly be voting No on 8. That really sucks that Yes on 8 is able to spend more on campaigning… I never cease to be amazed at people’s fervor when it comes to taking AWAY rights. ::sigh:: However, here in Los Angeles just from what I’ve noticed, I’ve seen/heard FAR more No on 8 ads on TV and radio. I mean probably like 15:1. So that’s good… hopefully the Yes on 8 people are preaching to the choir and mainly targeting areas that are already largely conservative so maybe it won’t have as much of an impact? We can hope.Good luck! I truly hope that you and your boyfriend are able to get married this December!
Best of luck to you both!!! I voted No on a similar propsition here in GA in the 04 election… I was angered and hurt when it was not passed!!!
I already got my absentee ballot and voted no.
I hope that your December wedding is magnificent. 🙂