PROTEST TONIGHT

By clicking on the link in the title above you will discover where the protests in your area are tonight and in the upcoming days ... more later.

HOLIDAY PROTEST ...

This picture was taken at another holiday protest against the passage of Prop 8. It was supposed to be a quiet, no signs event. We had enough people to cover the four corners of two historic main streets in town. What is surprising me are the number of str8 people who show up at these events ... And young people too; perhaps that is the best part ...

NOTE: tiny little battery candle in my hand ... no more wax on the hands! the times are changing.

PASADENA PROP 8 DEMONSTRATIION

"If Prop 8 is allowed to stand, it goes much beyond the issue of marriage equality and puts all of our rights at risk," said San Francisco city attorney Dennis Herrera, who is leading the legal fight.

Ashton Kutcher on Prop 8

Ashton Kutcher appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher last night. They discussed Prop 8.

SOME GOOD PROP 8 INFO ...

From the opening argument by SF City Attorney Dennis Herrera:

"No matter what your view of same-sex marriage, the passage of Proposition 8 has pushed California to the brink of a constitutional crisis, and it's important to understand why. This measure sought to do something that no constitutional amendment has ever done in our history: to strip a fundamental right from a protected class of citizens. In doing so, it did not merely undo a narrowly disfavored Supreme Court decision. Its effect is nowhere near so simple or elegant.

"Rather, it upended a doctrine of separation of powers deeply rooted in our system of governance; it trounced upon the independence of our state's judiciary; and it eviscerated the most foundational principle of our state's constitution.

"If allowed to stand, Prop 8 would so devastate the principle of equal protection that it could endanger the fundamental rights of any potential electoral minority — even for protected classes based on race, religion, national origin and gender.

"It would mean that a bare majority of voters could enshrine any manner of discrimination against any unpopular group — and our state constitution would be powerless to disallow it.

"Let us be clear: equal protection of the laws is what separates constitutional democracy from mob rule tyranny. It is a principle reaching back eight centuries to the Magna Carta. And it is what guided the founding of our state and our nation."

THIS GUY IS A SAINT ...

PROTEST THE MORMANS AND OTHERS WHO TAKE AWAY CIVIL RIGHTS

There is something amazing about being with 15,000 other people to protest ... protest that the voters in California have taken away my right to marry the person of my choice. What the hell is that anyway?

DEBUNKING PROP 8

CONNECTICUT, CALIFORNIA & PROP 8...

HARTFORD, Connecticut - Connecticut's Supreme Court ruled Friday that same-sex couples have the right to marry, making that state the third behind Massachusetts and California to legalize such unions.

Enjoy it while you can Connecticut ... I remember not too long ago how joyful that news was here in California. But now once again Californians are fighting the forces of intolerance and religious bigotry. There is now a California voter initiative on the November ballot that would change the state constitution to prevent same sex marriages.

The world is faced with so many difficult issues and loving someone is an issue!?! So if you live in California, visit the no on 8 site or or here for a number of concrete actions you can take to defeat Proposition 8. Wherever you live, you can help pay the costs of getting our message out. Donate to the campaign at here.

There is also a DisHonor Roll here that Californian Against Hate have published of the people and organizations that have funded Prop 8.

THE FACTS ON CALIFORNIA PROP 8

I think this has been posted every where ... but it doesn't hurt to say it again ... Fiction vs. the Facts

Fiction: People can be sued over personal beliefs.

Fact: California’s laws already prohibit discrimination against anyone based on race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. This has nothing to do with marriage.

Fiction: Churches could lose their tax-exemption status.

Fact: Nothing in Prop 8 would force churches to do anything. In fact, the court decision regarding marriage specifically says “no religion will be required to change its religious policies or practices with regard to same-sex couples, and no religious officiant will be required to solemnize a marriage in contravention of his or her religious beliefs.”

Fiction: Same-sex marriage would be taught in public schools.

Fact: Not one word in Prop 8 mentions education, and no child can be forced, against the will of their parents, to be taught anything about health and family issues at school. California law prohibits it. A Sacramento Superior Court judge has already ruled that this claim by the proponents of Prop 8 is “false and misleading.” In fact, the “case” that is cited in the ad is from Massachusetts…the proponents knew what California law said, so they used another state, again to mislead voters.

Fiction: Four Activist Judges in San Francisco…

Fact: Prop 8 is not about courts and judges, it's about eliminating a fundamental right. Judges didn't grant the right, the constitution guarantees the right. Proponents of Prop 8 use an outdated and stale argument that judges aren't supposed to protect rights and freedoms. This campaign is about whether Californians, right now, in 2008 are willing to amend the constitution for the sole purpose of eliminating a fundamental right for one group of citizens.

Regardless of how you feel about the issue, we should not eliminate fundamental rights for ANY Californians. Please vote NO on Prop 8.