What happens when a majority of voters denies equal rights to a minority? It took decades for interracial marriage to be legal in every state. Now, we will have a biracial president.
Why should we believe that the passage of California Proposition 8 will permanently deny marriage to all consenting adults? It is only a matter of time—and hard work on the part of those who understand what truly is at stake—to win equality for all.
Why do I know that this change to the California Constitution will not stand? I know because of the 100 people who assembled at the corner of Main and Broadway in Santa Maria to urge people to vote no on Proposition 8. They were black, white, Latino, young, old, middle-aged, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, students, and families—all there to say, “Don’t take rights away from others. Don’t make gays, lesbians, and transgender Californians second-class citizens.”
We are all equal! That will be the final verdict of history. No amount of money, religious dogma, lies, and fears can defeat the truth. I believe that we, as a people, will finally grant every person an equal right to marry because mutual respect for all human beings is the essence of who we are as a people.
This article appears in Nov 20-27, 2008.