Earlier polls had shown Proposition 8, which would eradicate the right for same-sex couples to marry in California, trailing by about 5 percentage points. This week, a Lake Research poll paid for by the campaign of 1,051 likely voters showed the proposition winning, with 47 percent saying they supported the measure and 43 percent saying no. The polling period was Sept. 29-Oct. 2. That finding is reinforced by a SurveyUSA poll of 670 likely voters showing the proposition winning 47 percent to 42 percent. That poll was taken Saturday and Sunday.Why the reversal in public opinion? The polling agency notes surprisingly strong support for Prop 8 among young voters (c'mon, really, young Californians?). Leaders on the No on 8 side cite their big fundraising disadvantage and the onslaught of advertising on the Yes on 8 side, as well as complacency among gay rights supporters.
Make no mistake - these ads are misleading, as are the major talking points for supporters of Prop 8, stoking fears about religious freedom.
The saddest part? The heavy involvement of the Mormon church. From what I understand, Mormon donations, a lot of which are from out of state, are allowing the Yes on 8 side to spend humongous amounts of money on advertising and other activities. Almost half of their money is coming from Mormons. Even No on 8 leaders are acknowledging this. The church's latest move was to air a videotaped conference at California wards and church universities like BYU, encouraging young people to use all the technological tools at their fingertips to support Prop 8.
The church has even set up a new website "Preserving the Divine Institution of Marriage" aimed at youth, encouraging them to use their blogs, their Facebook profiles, and other tools to get behind Prop 8. They can even download a Prop 8 widget. There's a video of California youth proudly talking about their involvement in the campaign (I couldn't even finish watching it). There's a list of five things the church wants youth to know about Prop 8. Interestingly, two of them are basically aimed to reducing cognitive dissonance and/or calming fears that Prop 8 amounts to unfair treatment or discrimination. Not to worry, however, since "We can love someone while still maintaining and advocating our standards and beliefs" and "In California, the law provides for marriage-related benefits to be given to civil unions and domestic partnerships. Proposition 8 does not diminish these benefits." Well, phew! I can help get discrimination and homophobia enshrined in the state constitution without feeling guilty!
I'm sad, frustrated, and concerned. Sad because the church that I grew up in and spent years studying, defending, and supporting has decided to spend countless hours and dollars siding with evangelical Protestants to prevent loving couples from enjoying the benefits and recognition of marriage. There are so many things wrong with this, and despite the church's assertion that it is necessary, there are reasons to believe that this could just be bad for the church in the end. I'm frustrated the church is targeting its youth, attempting to mobilize them against gay marriage, probably alienating them from friends and colleagues in the process.
Finally, I'm concerned. I'm concerned that we'll miss a chance as a society to send a clear, strong message that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters should be entitled to all the benefits that we heterosexuals enjoy, and that we will stand with them on the side of love and family. Yes, these are my family values. That a family is made of people that love and support one another, and that gays and lesbians can do that just as well as anybody else.
But I'm worried that we progressives are too complacent. We aren't donating as much to No on 8 as we should. We're not speaking out about this as much as we should. We're just not doing enough. And it's showing in the polls and in fundraising. And while I celebrate the recent decision by the Connecticut Supreme Court, I fear that that might make us more complacent and only embolden supporters of Prop 8 even more.
So, please, please, please consider donating to the No on 8 campaign. As soon as I found about these polling data, I donated for the first time. If you live in California, speak up and get involved. Volunteer for No on 8. Let's make sure that love and family prevail.
8 comments:
I attended the Prop. 8 broadcast last week, and with all due respect, I feel that there is nothing wrong with Latter-day Saints joining together in support of something in which they strongly believe. My generation (the GenX and GenY'ers) are able to reach across the Internet channels in a way unfamiliar to our parents and grandparents - but the choice to do so is ours and ours alone.
I could go on and on about why I support Prop. 8 - but I don't want to use your blog for that. For some arguments in support of it, see preservingmarriage.blogspot.com.
As for the money issue, Hollywood celebrities are pouring money into No on Prop. 8 - I don't see what's wrong with individuals donating of their time and means, in and out of California, to stand up for what they believe in. No money is coming from the Church itself, but from individual members.
Christa,
First, thanks for visiting my blog. And for speaking your opinion clearly and respectfully. This is not easy stuff.
Second, on one thing I agree with you - that the church is free to do what it wants and that its members are free to support Prop 8 in whatever way they wish! Isn't it a wonderful thing about our country?
However, I think some people would take issue with the church doing it. I, for one, think that all that money (you're right, it does appear to be member-donated and not church-funded) could be used for far, far more worthy purposes. Three things about the whole thing bother me. First, that the church is teaming up with people that despise them and would never have anything to do with them were it not for Prop 8 (like Dobson and Focus on the Family, for example). Second, the church is relying on misinformation and fear tactics to accomplish its purposes. Claims about religious freedoms being in jeopardy are wildly exaggerated and misleading.
Third, and most importantly, I believe with all my heart that the church's actions are wrong. I believe that gays and lesbians are entitled to marriage just like you and I are, and that taking away those rights in no way furthers our society.
We're not going to change each others' minds, as much as I wish I could touch your heart and help you see how this is hurting gay and lesbian families in California. But for some arguments in favor of gay marriage, see mormonsformarriage.com.
It is amazing how our own viewpoints seem so logical and reasonable and the opposition's so deluded and short-sighted.
Your complaint about the involvement of the Mormon Church in the Proposition 8 campaign seems completely unfair and unfounded. The fact that they are an organized, committed, and functioning force is to be commended, not condemned.
Since when is it "endoctrination" to teach children the beliefs and values of their parents, of their religion? The information these youth are receiving is not based on faulty assumptions. It is based on facts that have already taken place in our country. Massachusettes (a state where gay marriage is recognized) is dealing with children being taught in schools that homosexual relationships are the norm. It would be fair to assume this will happen in California also. Catholic charities in Boston have withdrawn from adoption services (because they were forced to placed children in same-sex homes) in order to exercise religious freedoms. It is fair to assume that these and other issues will affect the people of California wishing to protect their religious freedoms.
These concerns that you are so quick to label as misleading are, in my opinion, just good use of common sense. There is a saying I heard recently . . . "you can get so open-minded that your brains fall out." I don't think it is faulty reasoning to take from the experiences of others dealing with similar issues and look forward to what that might mean for California in the future. I think we would be dumb not to!
Kelli,
Gay rights supporters are an "organized, committed, and functioning force," too - are they to be commended in your opinion, too? I'm not blaming the church for its level of organization. I'm blaming it for its effort to prevent thousands and thousands of couples from getting married. Some "family values," huh? If the church wants to protect and strengthen marriage, there are a lot of better ways to do it.
I never used the word "indoctrination." Please don't put words in my mouth. I merely expressed concern that the church is targeting its youth to get them involved with Prop 8. And I believe that the church is actively using misleading and exaggerated claims about dangers to religious freedom. And on the issue of religious freedom - some religions teach that ALL human beings are equal and worthy of respect - including gays and lesbians. These religions teach that gays and lesbians should be able to get married, and they even perform marriages for loving gay couples. What about their religious freedoms?
Allowing gays to marry won't be the end of the world. It's just another step toward creating a fair, just society.
I always like to ask this of people like yourself. Do you know a single gay or lesbian? Have you really gotten to know them and to get rid of the stereotypes and the myths? Well, when you do, you might realize that they have just as much right to get married as you and I do.
Oh Steven. It is insulting for you to assume that if I only really knew some gay people that I would be able to see that they have the right to marry. I know and love many gay people. Our pediatrician is gay, and we love him. He is the best doctor I know! My daughter's teacher is gay and we request him every year because of the wonderful teacher he is. Their homosexuality is not a factor in our love and respect for them.
My problem with your comments is that you think it is wrong for the Mormon church to be involved in this issue. Churches absolutely have not only the right but the obligation to be involved, just like any other organization working for either side of this issue.
Your Mormon bashing does nothing to further your cause or make people take a look at your viewpoints. Lots of churches are heavily involved in the fight to pass Prop. 8.
Upholding a law that I feel was unjustly put upon the people of California based on the opinions of a few radical judges, in direct opposition to the will of the people is a travesty. Even if I didn't feel a religious and moral obligation, I would still oppose same-sex marriage for the simple reason that I cannot condone a lifestyle that I believe is detrimental to society. And I would also fight to keep checks and balances in government.
Kelli,
I never said that the church isn't allowed to do this or shouldn't be allowed to do this. Please read my words carefully, and don't put words in my mouth. I am staunchly opposed to the church's actions, but would never try to silence them or push to create a society where churches couldn't speak out. I feel like you are projecting your stereotypes of people "like me" and assuming I'm saying things that I'm actually not. I attend a UU church that speaks out strongly on moral issues, and I appreciate that right and that obligation that we have to do that.
Asking whether you personally know any gays or lesbians is a fair question, and I don't think you should be offended by me asking. My views on homosexuality and gay marriage have been dramatically altered by the simple ways in which I've gotten to know gays and lesbians. I'm only surprised to hear of folks that befriend gays and lesbians but continue to believe that they are second-class citizens when it comes to civil rights.
As for your charges of "Mormon bashing," this saddens me deeply. I was born and raised Mormon, and proud of it. I have deep connections to the church this day, including through my active LDS wife, and my parents and many of my friends. "Bashing" is not the same thing as expressing deep concern and valid criticism. I have deep respect and admiration for members of the church - I just think they're dead wrong on gay marriage.
Were they "radical judges" that were instrumental in granting equal rights to people of all color after the Civil Rights movement? I just don't get the "radical judge/activist judge" thing. Our judges and our courts are there to ensure that the constitution is upheld, and that minority and unpopular groups in society are protected. Their whole job is to ignore popular opinion. They've done their job in CA and now CT.
Kelli, it bums me out to talk with someone like you. I can practically feel your disdain for me and people that believe like me. How easily you write off my thoughts and ideas as radical, Mormon-bashing, and immoral! I value probably most of the same things you do - family, religion, freedom, and, I hope, equality.
We have so many problems to deal with as a society, even in our families. I just don't see how we fix them by preventing loving, responsible couples who happen to be gay from getting married.
It's quite ironic that Mormons were once persecuted for defining marriage outside the traditional view of one woman and one man.
There are a few Evangelicals who are seeing through the lies. See Reverend Joe's NO on 8 website, for example
Post a Comment