| Dear Fellow Voter:
I'm a 20-year-old woman voting for only the
second time on March 7th. I'm proud, excited, and a bit nervous, because
I take my civic responsibilities seriously. Not only that, but among millions
of people supporting Proposition 22, the Protection of Marriage Initiative,
I have the honor of writing you to explain why Californians should vote
"Yes" on 22.
Proposition 22 is exactly 14 words long: "Only marriage
between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."
That's
it! No legal doubletalk, no hidden agenda. Just common sense: Marriage should
be between a man and a woman.
It does not take away anyone's right to inheritance
or hospital visitation.
When people ask, "Why is this necessary?" I say
that even though California law already says only a man and a woman may
marry, it also recognizes marriages from other states. However, judges in
some of those states want to define marriage differently than we do. If
they succeed, California may have to recognize new kinds of marriages, even
though most people believe marriage should be between a man and a woman.
California is not alone in trying to keep marriage between a man and a woman.
In 1996, Democrats and Republicans in Congress overwhelmingly passed a bill
saying that the U.S. government defines marriage as between a man and a
woman only, and said each state could do the same.
President Clinton signed
the bill the day after he received it. So far, 30 states have passed laws
defining marriage as between a man and a woman. |
Now it's our turn, and I'm voting "Yes" on 22 to ensure that
decisions affecting California are voted on by Californians . . . like us.
It's Our State, it should be Our Choice.
But some people today think marriage
doesn't matter anymore. They say I have to accept that marriage can mean
whatever anyone says it means, and if I don't agree then I'm out of touch,
even an extremist.
My family taught me to respect other people's freedoms.
Everyone should. But that's a two way street. If people want me to respect
their opinions and lifestyles, then they should grant me the same courtesy
by respecting MY beliefs. And I believe that marriage should stay the way
it is.
It's tough enough for families to stay together these days. Why make
it harder by telling children that marriage is just a word anyone can re-define
again and again until it no longer has any meaning?
Marriage is an important
part of our lives, our families and our future. Someday I hope to meet a
wonderful man, marry and have children of my own. By voting "Yes" on 22,
I'm doing my part today to keep that dream alive. Please, for all future
generations, vote "Yes" on 22.
Miriam G. Santacruz
We couldn't have said
it better! As representatives of seniors, teachers and parents, we're proud
to join Californians from all walks of life voting "Yes" on 22.
JEANNE MURRAY
Field Director, 60 Plus Association
GARY BECKNER
Executive Director, Association of American Educators
THOMAS FONG
President, Chinese Family Alliance
|
|
THE HIDDEN AGENDA
The proponents of Proposition 22 want you to think
that it is simple. That there is no "hidden agenda".
But if it's so
simple, why are they spending millions of dollars to put this measure
on the ballot and convince you to vote for something they say is "common
sense"? Why are they spending millions of dollars to convince you to
vote for something that is already law in California?
PROPOSITION 22 WILL HELP DENY
HOSPITAL VISITATION RIGHTS
The proponents of Proposition 22
say that Proposition 22 doesn't deny hospital visitation or inheritance
rights for lesbians and gays. But in Florida and Virginia, arch-conservative
legal organizations have used similar laws as tools in court to deny lesbians
and gays fundamental rights—like the right to visit a sick or injured
partner in the hospital, the right to inheritance, or the right to health
insurance.
|
A SOLUTION IN SEARCH OF A PROBLEM
You don't need to support marriage for
lesbian and gay couples to oppose Proposition 22. As the proponents of Prop
22 admit, "California law already says only a man and a woman may marry."
That won't change if Proposition 22 passes. Proposition 22 is just another
needless law that allows government to interfere with our personal lives.
MARRIAGE MATTERS
Of course marriage matters. But so do fairness and tolerance.
Proposition 22 will do nothing to strengthen our families, our communities,
or to strengthen the commitment of couples involved in marriage. It will
only divide California.
GIL GARCETTI
District Attorney, County of Los Angeles
DELAINE EASTIN
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
THE RIGHT REVEREND WILLIAM E. SWING
Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of California
|
