write to marry

Today is Write to Marry Day, a call for action in the battle to defeat California's discriminatory marriage amendment, Proposition 8.

Though I don't live in California, the issue carries a lot of concern for me. The BF and I got married earlier this year, but the union isn't likely to be recognized by Georgia anytime soon -- and especially not if Prop 8 gets written into the constitution of a stage as large and influential as California. It's a particularly odious piece of legislation that actually removes the right of same-sex couples to get married.

Although I was always gave lip service marriage rights, I never really understood what it meant until B and I tied the knot this May. The event had a unique and transformative effect not just on us, but on our entire families. For the first time in my life did I feel like my parents and close family members took my relationship seriously. It's brought us closer and cleaned up a lot of old baggage between us.

There have been some really great No On Prop 8 videos floating around the internets, and you can see many of them here.

What's really scary about all this is that it's come down largely to a money issue. The Mormon church and other "religious" groups have thrown barrels of cash at Prop 8 supporters, while fund-raising on the other side has been sluggish. That's why you should:

• Support the effort. Make a donation here.


• (If you live in Caflifornia) Vote No on Prop 8. And don't stop at the top! Propositions are at the bottom of the ballot.
  


• Volunteer! No on 8's Netroots page.