Get involved in the No On 8 Campaign

This week a 30-second spot, featuring San Francisco couple Sam and Julia Thoron, began running on television. The purpose is to win support for same-sex marriage (or actually to get folks to vote against the hateful Proposition 8). Television ads in support of Proposition 8 (anti-gay marriage folks) are expected to begin airing next week.

The Thorons (see on the tv screen pictured here) have been married for 46 years and have a lesbian daughter, Liz. In the tv spot, Sam Thoron says, "My wife and I never treated our children differently, we never loved them any differently, and the law shouldn't treat them differently either." Julia Thoron is seated on a sofa beside her husband. She speaks next: "If Prop 8 passes, our gay daughter and thousands of our fellow Californians will lose the right to marry. Please don't eliminate that right - for anyone's family." (That tv ad is available at www.noonprop8.com).

At the end of the day, isn't that what it's all about? All people are created equal, yet some think that if you are gay you just aren't good enough. You just don't have what it takes to be a member of society and therefore you can be treated differently.

Earlier today I heard a radio spot similar to the one on tv. In this one, the Reverend Cecil Williams speaks of his wife and his church and his commitment to justice and fairness for everyone. Williams urges everyone to vote NO on 8 and keep marriage available for everyone.

Now I have to mention that a Field Poll released a few days ago showed that 55 percent of likely voters intend to vote no on Prop 8, while 38 percent would vote yes. You might think that is a wide margin, but it really is not. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and some of the No on 8 campaign officials have warned against a false sense of security. Nobody should think this is a done deal!

Some big name celebrities (Brad Pitt was the first) have donated money to help defeat the hateful amendment. There are the ads I have mentioned here. There have been speaches and rallies, and a very large presence of yes on 8 folks. Where are the gay people though? Where are the gay celebrities and the gay politicians? Where is the gay money? Come on folks! Gavin cannot do this alone and neither can Brad. This is really going to impact the lgbt community. We have so much to gain. We must get involved!

What will you do to help??