Andy's Math/CS page

Friday, October 24, 2008

NO on Prop 8

If you are straight, would you join a club that disallowed gay people? Or keep your membership in a club that stopped admitting them? Would you feel distinguished by your membership? To the contrary, I think most people would feel embarrassed and cheapened by it.

That's why everyone who is or hopes to get married in California (or anywhere, really) should feel alarmed about Proposition 8, why everyone whose tax dollars fund the Marriage Club should feel affronted by this attempt to make it an exclusionary one (by amending the state constitution). Even though we also fund the similar and inclusive Civil-Union Club next door (at least, until the next wacky voter initiative comes along), who can ignore the fence-builders' zeal for insisting on this petty distinction for heterosexual couples, or fail to grasp its underlying message?

Nothing in the existing laws force clergy of any religion to give ceremonies or `recognize' marriages they don't accept. There remains, in fact, plenty of space in private life to speak and practice intolerance, but we can't let it be done in the name of all Californians.

For thoughtful posts on the subject, see e.g. Luca's, Ben Casnocha's, and the No on Prop 8 website. They are outspent by the opposition and need help to run TV spots up thru the election, to sway what seems like a very volatile public opinion on this issue.
For an amazing photo-essay on California's ever-expanding diversity, and a powerful argument for mutual acceptance and respect, check out the book Under the Dragon. (Hat-tip to Chaya!)

7 Comments:

  • I came for the theory and stayed for the politics... I saw this post via the "Theory of Computing Blog Aggregator" but I just wanted to come and say thank you for this post.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:57 AM  

  • Thanks, anonymous! I will continue to blog sporadically about politics and/or theory.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:57 PM  

  • Andy! I was surfing through the blogroll of an Israeli mathematician I met recently, and found Scott Aaronson's blog... and then his website... and then you! What are the odds! (Hm, you could probably calculate them.)

    Hope you're doing well! I'm gonna subscribe to this thing.

    —Ronni (alias Duckrabbit, haha)

    By Blogger Duckrabbit, at 5:00 AM  

  • You write, "If you are straight, would you join a club that disallowed gay people?"

    This would imply that Prop 8 would prevent gay people from marrying, which is not at all true. Every citizen in California has now, as before Prop 8, the right to marry (someone of the opposite sex).

    So what's your problem?

    By Blogger Jake, at 9:48 PM  

  • hi guys your blog about "NO on Prop 8" is terrific with a lot of information and very useful...thanks

    By Anonymous generic viagra, at 11:26 AM  

  • Anywhere in the world, with any culture and religion, we must live in love and respect - let people live how they want in diversity of opinions and ways, as long as the don't harm each other.

    By Anonymous Holy Land tours, at 7:29 AM  

  • I think everyone must read this.

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