Meddling Mormons, Scared of Teh Gay

Sutherland is hosting an AAAAHHH Gay People Committing!!! Marriage Law Forum, to justify explain Utah's meddling involvement in what's going on in California. RSVP to attend. I might.

This is one I don't understand. The fear that so many have makes a logical leap that they can never logically explain: how does what another couple do in their private lives effect you and your spouse? How does the notion of marriage equality damage society in any way, shape, or form? How is protecting everyone's rights to life, liberty, and happiness - not just the majority's - in a sound, legal manor damage society? And how is what two people do in their bedroom at all relevant to what goes on in my own life? And how do I benefit if they are denied the rights I can enjoy? See, it just makes no sense to anyone with a world view .01% more positive than Chris Buttars'.

Then there is the libertarian argument, as well, for which California's Courage Campaign has created a humorous "State Inspection" video clip to reach voters (embedded below).

From the Sutherland Press release:

"Presently, 27 states, including Utah, have enacted amendments to protect marriage, while judges in two states have said marriage must be redefined,” said Bill Duncan, director of the Sutherland Institute’s Center for Family and Society. “This is clearly an issue that can’t be avoided. Those who come to this event are certain to gain a greater understanding of why marriage between a husband and wife is so crucial to our future.”

That sounds nice, and has the typical "they're coming for our babies!" ring to it, so common in such efforts. But what I thought was a more reasonable approach was that of the conservative San Diego Union-Tribune:

Proposition 8 would repeal the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry. It stipulates, by a one-sentence amendment to the state constitution, that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. Our guess is that even voters who may have reservations about gay marriage will be reluctant to repeal a right that now exists as a matter of law. To do so would smack of singling out a particular group for discrimination, a move that offends many Californians' sense of fairness.

Supporters of Proposition 8 make two arguments. The first is that, for thousands of years, marriage has been defined as between a man and a woman exclusively. Considering how Californians historically have been wide open to change, this appeal is not likely to carry much force.

The second argument made by supporters is that children should be raised solely by a father and a mother, not by two fathers or two mothers. Yet the debate over child-rearing is entirely beside the point, because Proposition 8 is about marriage only. It would do nothing to prevent gay couples from adopting children or from having children through artificial means. Indeed, all Proposition 8 would do is ensure that the children of gay couples would be raised in households where the parents were unmarried. Would that be a healthier situation for children?

In the past, this page has advocated civil unions for gay couples rather than marriage. But our thinking has changed, along with that of many other Californians. Gay and lesbian couples deserve the same dignity and respect in marriage that heterosexual couples have long enjoyed. We urge a No vote on Proposition 8.

If we're going to get involved in another state's bidness, let's at least be honest about it. There is no threat here, only fear. It's all so Gayle Ruzicka!

Check out the Courage Campaign's "General Auditors" video urging Californian's to vote no on Prop 8.



(h/t MyDD)

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