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08/14/2009
A Prentice, meet your master
In regards to marriage equality in California, and when fairness advocates can hope to win it back at the polls, Ron Prentice, the executive director of the so-called California Family Council, says the following:
"The best chance they had was in 2008," he said. "Everything lined up at that time, and still the people of California voted to place into the Constitution traditional marriage. We think that their chances have lessened."
California Gay Activists Split Over Marriage Strategy [CitizenLink]
This writer responds:
"Our best chance was in 2008? Yes, that's right, Ron. The year that we, in an act of principled constitutional fairness, were granted civil equality. It was, indeed, our 'best chance' at receiving and retaining the rights and benefits towhich we've long been denied. But unfortunately, you on the side of self-appointed morality saw a need to marry our church and state, rolling back our liberties in order to appease the personal faith views to which you've subscribed.
'Everything lined up' for us in May of '08, when the court offered its fair and measured opinion. Everything was turned into an unreasoned game when anti-equality forces put what became to be known as Prop 8 onto the November ballot. Our 'chances were lessened' when our rights were put to chance!!
Will we win back our CA-based freedom? Abso-motha'-frickin'-lutely. But it will take years, even decades, to win back the time, money, and good mojo that Prop 8 supporters stripped away from the Golden State. The state's fair-minded reputation has been lessened and its citizenry weakened. We will never -- NEVER! -- let anyone forget the indefensibly divisive role that "Yes on 8" played in the course of California history."
Your thoughts
Nice response, Jeremy. I saw Ron's response to our side's choice to wait until 2012 and it got me riled up. They are so sure of themselves. They only won by less than 4% and that's a big difference from back in 2000. I'd like him to eat his words when the repeal of the amendment happens in three years.
Posted by: Sam | Aug 14, 2009 12:10:57 PM
Christ, Jeremy. You should moonlight as a supermodel.
Posted by: Liberty U Student | Aug 14, 2009 1:42:43 PM
The second-to-last line of your response hit it right on the money. I have to admit, I was shocked when Prop 8 passed. I know there are some very conservative enclaves in the state, but I always thought that CA as a whole too pretty progressive to pass such a measure (particularly when an anti-gay initiative FAILED in my former state of MI two years earlier!) I was--still am--very disappointed in California.
Posted by: Rachel Snyder | Aug 14, 2009 8:56:59 PM
Oh, yeah, we'll give up just 'cause he says we should! Uh-huh, Mr. Prentice, tell me another.
Posted by: GreenEyedLilo | Aug 15, 2009 8:00:52 AM
I think what these people have ignored is that Prop 8 and the resulting Court Decision have brought us closer as a community and movement with a renewed focus. Their ignorance of this will, I believe, prove to be their downfall. As a community we need to support as many campaigns as we can in any way that we can. Volunteering, signing petitions, giving even $5 or just spreading the word to as many people as you can will make a difference. We should see and use this for what it is, a turning point in the history of our movement.
Posted by: ChrisNH | Aug 15, 2009 10:11:00 AM
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