Prop 8 is not Hate

I would like for the gays and lesbians of California to know what I mean by the “Yes on Proposition 8” sign in my yard. I want you to know what I am saying, and what I’m not saying, by driving around with a “Yes on Prop 8” sticker. Some opponents of Proposition 8 seem to view it as a referendum on whether we like gay people. I do not share this view. From my perspective, it would be tragic for the gays and lesbians of California to believe that every house with a Yes on 8 sign in the yard is inhabited by someone who hates them.

I’m voting “yes” on 8, not because of my views of gays and lesbians, but because of my views about marriage. I view marriage as a gender-based institution that attaches mothers and fathers to each other and to their children. Those of us who support Proposition 8 believe that children deserve at least the chance to have a relationship with a mom and a dad. That isn’t hateful toward anyone.

Jennifer Roback Morse, Ph.D., is an official spokesman for Proposition 8.

Full article here

Vote YES on California Prop 8

Marriage and the Public Good

The larger empirical literature on child well-being suggests that the two sexes bring different talents to the parenting enterprise, and that children benefit from growing up with both their biological parents. This strongly suggests that children reared by same-sex parents will experience greater difficulties with their identity, sexuality, attachments to kin, and marital prospects as adults, among other things. But until more research is available, the jury is still out.

Yet there remain even deeper concerns about the institutional consequences of same-sex marriage for marriage itself. Same-sex marriage would further undercut the idea that procreation is intrinsically connected to marriage. It would undermine the idea that children need both a mother and a father, further weakening the societal norm that men should take responsibility for the children they beget.

From the "Ten Principles on Marriage and the Public Good", the result of scholarly discussions that began in December, 2004 at a meeting in Princeton, New Jersey, sponsored by the Witherspoon Institute. This conference brought together scholars from History, Economics, Psychiatry, Law, Sociology and Philosophy to share with each other the findings of their research on why marriage is in the public interest. A consensus developed for sharing the fruit of their collaboration more widely.

Full publication here

Vote YES on California Prop 8

Equal Protection?

Equal protection does not apply here. Interracial marriage, which I strongly support, is very different from same-sex "marriage." Race is an immutable characteristic. Unless you are Michael Jackson, you can't change the color of your skin. Homosexuality is very different. There is no gay gene. There is no accepted scientific evidence that homosexuality is immutable. This fact was acknowledged by our state Supreme Court in its May marriage opinion. Many African American civil rights leaders are legitimately upset because they believe the homosexual community has improperly hijacked the civil rights movement.

Dean R. Broyles, president and chief counsel of the Western Center for Law and Policy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and promotion of religious freedom, parental rights and other civil liberties.

Full article here

Vote YES on California Prop 8

For the Sake of Children

What, though, can be a greater benefit to children and young people than growing up with their mother and father married to each other in a low-conflict relationship? We need to be supporting and strengthening the institution of marriage for the sake of children, not redefining and weakening it.

Salvatore Cordileone, auxiliary bishop of the San Diego diocese of the Catholic Church

Article: Letter sent to SD City Council

Full text of letter here

Vote YES on California Prop 8

A Primary Purpose for Marriage

A primary stated purpose for marriage is procreation, to bear and raise children, to the glory of God. It is well-established that a mom and a dad both nurturing and training children under one household, produce the most stable and balanced and content children and adults. Father and mother have unique roles and responsibilities in joyfully benefiting the child's healthiest growth to maturity, and for the advantage of all of society.

Gerald Christian Nordskog, chairman of the Ventura County Christian Leadership Council.

Full article here

Vote YES on California Prop 8

The Most Important Bedrock Relationship

When you vote "yes" on Prop. 8, you understand the broader dimensions and implications of fundamentally changing the definition of the most important bedrock relationship of our society - marriage, and its inevitable corollary - the family. By inserting the true meaning of marriage into our state constitution you send a clear, concise message to our culture and our children that only the union of one man and one woman rightly qualifies to be called a marriage in its most basic form and purpose. Marriage was intended to create families, not just "loving, devoted" couples.

Reverend Jim Ortiz, Senior Pastor of My Friend's House Assembly of God and President of Whittier Area Evangelical Ministerial Alliance.

Full article here

Vote YES on California Prop 8

We do not Reject You

Pressure is put upon legislatures to legalize unnatural conduct. They can never make right that which is forbidden in the laws of God.

Sometimes we are asked why we do not recognize this conduct as a diverse and acceptable lifestyle. This we cannot do. We did not make the laws; they were made in heaven “before the foundation of the world”. We are servants only....

We understand why some feel we reject them. That is not true. We do not reject you, only immoral behavior. We cannot reject you, for you are the sons and daughters of God. We will not reject you, because we love you....

We did not make the rules; they were revealed as commandments. We do not cause nor can we prevent the consequences if you disobey the moral laws. In spite of criticism or opposition, we must teach and we must warn....

Some think that God created them with overpowering, unnatural desires, that they are trapped and not responsible. That is not true. It cannot be true. Even if they were to accept it as true, they must remember that He can cure and He can heal.

Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Text of full article here

President Packer studied at Weber College and subsequently received his bachelor of science and master of science degrees from Utah State University. He received a doctorate in educational administration from Brigham Young University.

He was born September 10, 1924, in Brigham City, Utah. He served as a bomber pilot during World War II in the Pacific Theater.


Vote YES on California Prop 8

We Believe...

We believe that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. We believe that marriage may be eternal....

People inquire about our position on those who consider themselves so-called gays and lesbians. My response is that we love them as sons and daughters of God. They may have certain inclinations which are powerful and which may be difficult to control. Most people have inclinations of one kind or another at various times. If they do not act upon these inclinations, then they can go forward as do all other members of the Church. If they violate the law of chastity and the moral standards of the Church, then they are subject to the discipline of the Church, just as others are.

We want to help these people, to strengthen them, to assist them with their problems and to help them with their difficulties. But we cannot stand idle if they indulge in immoral activity, if they try to uphold and defend and live in a so-called same-sex marriage situation. To permit such would be to make light of the very serious and sacred foundation of God-sanctioned marriage and its very purpose, the rearing of families.

Gordon B. Hinckley, past president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Full text here

Vote YES on California Prop 8

Signs Stolen

I had 2 "Yes on 8" signs on my front lawn. When I came home from work today they were there. After dinner, when I looked again in the front yard, they were gone. Stolen. All the more reason why I will vote YES on 8.

Vote YES on California Prop 8.

Marriage Facts

The constitutional arguments advanced by genderless marriage proponents fail not so much because of flaws of logic or coherence but primarily because those arguments are premised on a quicksand foundation—that is, the factually inaccurate narrow (or close personal relationship) description of contemporary American marriage. The successful constitutional arguments advanced in support of man-woman marriage succeed because they are ultimately premised on the factually accurate broad (or institutional) description of a complex whole—the marriage institution—that guides individual activity, sustains identity, gives sense and purpose to the lives of its participants, and thereby produces valuable social goods.

Monte Neil Stewart, President, Marriage Law Foundation. In the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy.

Full article here

Vote YES on California Prop 8

What the Next Generation Needs

The next generation needs role models of “father” and “mother”...the traditional concept of marriage, which is between one man and one woman, must be protected in order to make a healthy environment for the next generation, protect social stability and reduce the chance of people getting AIDS.

Rev. Thomas Wang at a gathering of more than 4,000 Chinese Christians from about 100 churches across the San Francisco Bay Area on Oct. 19 to support Prop. 8

Full article here

Vote YES on California Prop 8

Photo Ad 2

A new photo ad, in a more humorous vein...



Feel free to copy and post or distribute as you wish.

Vote YES on California Prop 8

Statement of the Catholic Bishops of California

We, as bishops, offer counsel to our Catholic people in California in their response to this radical change in California's public policy regarding marriage.

First, same-sex unions are not the same as opposite-sex unions. The marriage of a man and a woman embraces not only their sexual complementarity as designed by nature but includes their ability to procreate. The ideal for the well being of children is to be born into a traditional marriage and to be raised by both a mother and a father. We recognize that there are parents who are single and we laud them for the great sacrifices they make in raising their children.

Second, we need to recall that marriage mirrors God's relationship with us-and that marriage completes, enriches and perpetuates humanity. When men and women consummate their marriage they offer themselves to God as co-creators of a new human being. Any other pairing-while possibly offering security and companionship to the individuals involved—is not marriage. We must support traditional marriage as the source of our civilization, the foundation for a society that can be home to all human beings, and the reflection of our relationship with God.

Third, we need to remember that we are all children of God possessed of human dignity and that each of us is created in God's image. Protecting the traditional understanding of marriage should not in any way disparage our brothers and sisters—even if they disagree with us.

Quoted from "A Statement of the Catholic Bishops of California in Support of Proposition 8"

Vote YES on California Prop 8

The Role of Gender in Marriage

As the proclamation clearly states, men and women, though spiritually equal, are entrusted with different but equally significant roles. These roles complement each other.... These stewardships, equally sacred and important, do not involve any false ideas about domination or subordination. Each stewardship is essential for the spiritual progression of all family members, parents and children alike.

M. Russell Ballard from an Education Week devotional address given on August 19, 2003, at Brigham Young University.

M. Russell Ballard is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Prior to his call as a General Authority, Elder Ballard had interests in automotive, real estate, and investment businesses. He has served on many civic committees and boards.

Vote YES on California Prop 8

Variations on a Theme: Vote Yes Prop 8 in CA & Yes 102 in AZ

Vote Yes Prop 8 in CA & Yes 102 in AZ

Our Hearts Reach Out

God-sanctioned marriage between a man and a woman has been the basis of civilization for thousands of years. There is no justification to redefine what marriage is. Such is not our right, and those who try will find themselves answerable to God.

Some portray legalization of so-called same-sex marriage as a civil right. This is not a matter of civil rights; it is a matter of morality. Others question our constitutional right as a church to raise our voice on an issue that is of critical importance to the future of the family. We believe that defending this sacred institution by working to preserve traditional marriage lies clearly within our religious and constitutional prerogatives. Indeed, we are compelled by our doctrine to speak out.

Nevertheless, and I emphasize this, I wish to say that our opposition to attempts to legalize same-sex marriage should never be interpreted as justification for hatred, intolerance, or abuse of those who profess homosexual tendencies, either individually or as a group. As I said from this pulpit one year ago, our hearts reach out to those who refer to themselves as gays and lesbians. We love and honor them as sons and daughters of God. They are welcome in the Church. It is expected, however, that they follow the same God-given rules of conduct that apply to everyone else, whether single or married.

Gordon B. Hinckley, former President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, from a discourse given October 2, 1999

Full text of the discourse here.

Vote YES on California Prop 8

The Opponents' Idea of Tolerance?

I put up our yard sign last week. This is how I found it this evening. Hmmm, is this what they mean when they ask us to be tolerant of their lifestyle choices?


Vote YES on California Prop 8

A Matter of Biology not Bigotry

The ancient definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman has its basis in biology, not bigotry....As many courts have recognized, the primary societal good advanced by this ancient institution is responsible procreation.

Connecticut Supreme Court Justice Peter T. Zarella in his dissenting opinion on the Court's 4-to-3 decision Friday to strike down the state’s civil union law and rule that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry.

Quoted from an article in the NY Times published 10/11/08

Vote YES on California Prop 8

L.A. Times Op-Ed Article

Op-Ed article in the L.A. Times published Sept. 19, 2008:

I'm a liberal Democrat. And I do not favor same-sex marriage....

Legalized same-sex marriage almost certainly benefits those same-sex couples who choose to marry, as well as the children being raised in those homes. But changing the meaning of marriage to accommodate homosexual orientation further and perhaps definitively undermines for all of us the very thing -- the gift, the birthright -- that is marriage's most distinctive contribution to human society. That's a change that, in the final analysis, I cannot support.

Full article here

David Blankenhorn is founder and president of the New York-based Institute for American Values, a nonpartisan organization devoted to strengthening families and civil society in the U.S. and the world. He is also the author of "The Future of Marriage."

Vote YES on California Prop 8

Photo Ad 1

First in a series of photo ads I'm working on. Feel free to copy and post to your own blog or website. E-mail to your friends and fellow voters if you wish. Right-click and "save as" to download to your PC.

Vote YES on California Prop 8.

It's not about Tolerance

This is much bigger than just a question of whether or not society should be more tolerant of the homosexual lifestyle. Over past years we have seen unrelenting pressure from advocates of that lifestyle to accept as normal what is not normal, and to characterize those who disagree as narrow-minded, bigoted and unreasonable. Such advocates are quick to demand freedom of speech and thought for themselves, but equally quick to criticize those with a different view and, if possible, to silence them by applying labels like “homophobic.” In at least one country where homosexual activists have won major concessions, we have even seen a church pastor threatened with prison for preaching from the pulpit that homosexual behavior is sinful. Given these trends, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints must take a stand on doctrine and principle. This is more than a social issue — ultimately it may be a test of our most basic religious freedoms to teach what we know our Father in Heaven wants us to teach.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Elder Oaks is a graduate of Brigham Young University (1954) and of The University of Chicago Law School (1957). He practiced law and taught law in Chicago. He was president of Brigham Young University from 1971 to 1980, and a justice of the Utah Supreme Court from 1980 until his resignation in 1984 to accept his calling to the apostleship.

He has been an officer or member of the board of many business, educational, and charitable organizations. He is the author or co-author of many books and articles on religious and legal subjects.

Full Text of Interview on the Subject of Same-Gender Attraction

Vote YES on California Prop 8

Plain and Simple

The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.

(The Family:A Proclamation to the World)

Vote YES on California Prop 8