Proposition 8- Same-sex Marriage

Proposition 8 has stirred up a controversial debate among the citizens in California as

well as in the other states of the United States. This argument on same-sex marriage is not only
about accepting how the new society had brought, but also about associating with the civil rights
movements. Proposition 8 meant more than just a ban on same-sex marriage, it is a battle
between the equality among gay couples and the old traditional definition of marriage, a
development of love between a man and a woman. The argument over Californias Prop 8 was
one of the most expensive running campaigns in the United States, second only to the
presidential race. Both sides of the debate have spent millions of bucks into the campaign.
Religious groups across the nation, including Catholics, Mormons and evangelicals, have
gathered up in support of Proposition 8, which goes against the legalization of gay marriage.
Groups that are anti-proposition 8 include Hollywood stars and celebrities like Brad Pitts, Ellen
DeGeneres and Stephen Spielberg. Christians who are in support of banning gay marriage in
California believe that the Bible prohibits homosexuality. If the Supreme Court decided to
legalize same-sex marriage, churches would be forced to held marriage for gay couples; schools
would be forced to teach gay marriage. Supporters of prop 8 in California stated that public
school will promote same-sex marriage even if the ballot measure fails. The recent California
Supreme Courts decision on Prop 8 had engraved the traditional marriage definition into the
state constitution. To anti-prop 8 groups, it has violated the equality, equal protection and equal
rights guaranteed to every American. The decision is also viewed as a backwards generation,
supported slavery and legalized discrimination.
The supporters of Proposition 8 stated that the decision would restore the definition of
marriage to what Californians approved of, which is a blessing wedlock between a man and a
woman. The decision would also protect the future generation from being taught in public school
that gay marriage is no different than the tradition marriage. In the other hand, opponents of
Proposition 8 believe that the state constitution should guarantee the same rights and freedom to
every American. Passing this proposition would be taken as the first step in violating
fundamental rights for Californians. Marriage and domestic partnerships are two separated
things, and this would completely violate the rights of gay and lesbian couples. They are also the
citizens who obey the law, pay taxes and want the same rights that every American is guaranteed
to have.
Furthermore, children cannot be forced to be taught about gay marriage in school against
the will of parents and guardians. Kate Kendall, an attorney for the opposition on prop 8
campaign is allowing parents in California to remove their kids from classes if the subject being
taught is conflicted with their moral and religious belief. The local education officials noted that
the state education code barely even mentions anything about marriage. When it does, it would
only teach students the respect for marriage, commitment in a relationship, the legal financial
aspects and the responsibilities of a marriage and parenthood. This concern is supposed to be a
non-issue but television ads has distorted and exaggerated the issue about the education on same-
sex marriage. TV ads advocating Yes on Prop 8 make voters believe that voting against it
would allow public school to teach gay marriage to students.
There is no fundamental right to the same-sex marriage in California. Gay and lesbian
couples should not be denied the right to get married. California Supreme Courts approval is
frankly a denial of the right to love between two people who truly care for one another. Creating
a whole different set of rules for gay couples would only discriminate anyone who was born with
a different sexual orientation. Amending the state constitution would only violate our freedom
and civil rights in the United States.