I will never, EVER support any measure that will change the constitution in order to deny basic civil rights to ANYONE. And, that is exactly what Proposition 8 on California's general ballot will do.

First of all, it's important to know who is behind the ballot measure. It is sponsored by right-wing religious groups. Tens of millions of dollars in advertising has been paid for by the Mormon church, mostly from Utah. As if it isn't bad enough, this means that religious leaders in Utah are trying to tell Californians what to do, and who to discriminate against. One religious group should never have enough power to impose their outdated morality upon non-practitioners.

Secondly, isn't it about time we got past the obsolete practice of denying equality to groups within our society? It wasn't that long ago that racism was legal, Japanese were put into camps, and communities regularly legislated what ethnic groups could and could not live within their borders. Denying rights to people that are different than us is out-dated, short-sighted, and hopelessly ignorant. Won't we ever learn?

Finally, it is most important, I think, to consider the connotations of allowing legislation of this nature to come into being. Now it is a ballot measure that would deny a basic civil right to a portion of our society. If this is passed without fanfare, even outrage, it would pave the way for further constitutional amendments that would seek to further eliminate rights and powers that Americans have fought and died for for centuries. Even if the thought of same-sex marriage sickens you, you must consider the slippery slope that is amending the constitution to remove a group's basic rights. Perhaps you are a christian and think that it should be outlawed. If you vote yes on this, what will be next? A ballot measure barring certain religious groups from running for office? How about a vote on which races can and cannot immigrate into the U.S.? This is one small step towards allowing ballot measures and constitutional amendments to slowly, or not so slowly, erode our basic rights and freedoms. This must be opposed, even if you disagree with the freedom that the proposal would ban. Freedoms and rights should NEVER be banned. EVER.