In California, a controversial proposition is on the ballot to be voted on in less than 2 weeks. This proposition is said to be discriminatory by some and a protection of marriage by others. Can one proposition be two differing things at the same time? Let’s look at the issue and find out.

A “yes” vote on Proposition 8 would change the California Constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Within the past 6 months, the California Supreme Court overturned Proposition 22, which was passed by California voters in 2000. Prop. 22 limited marriage to only a man and a woman, but did not change the California Constitution. Thus, the Supreme Court was able to say it was unconstitutional. Since then, homosexual couples have been marrying one another and marriage licenses in the state were temporarily changed to eliminate the terms “bride” and “groom” in exchange for “participant A” and participant B”. That change in itself upset a number of heterosexual couples and has since changed again to offer either choice.

This may seem like a straight-forward issue, but there are much deeper conflicts that lay within. One issue that has arisen is how it will affect children in the public school system. You may be asking what gay marriage has to do with school children. You would think it wouldn’t, right? Well, let’s see. In Massachusetts, gay marriage is legal. In 2006, a teacher at one particular Massachusetts school took it upon herself to read a book to her 2nd grade class called King and King. This fairy tale highlights the relationship between two kings. At the end of the story, there is a cartoon picture of the two kings kissing (with a heart drawn over their lips). Some parents were furious that their children were told this story, but the school told them that it was not required to inform parents over such an issue because gay marriage is legal in that state. Needless to say, there were lawsuits and this year the Massachusetts court determined that the schools did not need to inform parents of the curriculum since it is legal in the state. The court stated:

“It is a fair inference that the reading of King and King was precisely intended to influence the listening children toward tolerance of gay marriage,” “That was the point of why that book was chosen and used.”

While opponents of Prop. 8 state that such an issue will not arise in California, they cannot guarantee such a statement. Even though the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jack O’Connell, said that it is not part of the curriculum to teach children about marriage, it will be up to each individual teacher as to whether such a topic will be brought up in their classes. In sex education classes, the issue of marriage is included in schools. Does that mean that gay marriage will also have to be discussed? If Prop. 8 does not pass, you can bet on it because it would be considered discrimination otherwise.

So, why do gay couples want to marry in the first place? Many say that they want to have to right to marry the one they love. They do not feel that civil unions are enough, even though civil unions allow gay couples certain benefits. According to gaylife.about.com, civil union benefits vary by each state that allows them, but usually include the following:

* Laws relating to title, tenure, descent and distribution, intestate succession, waiver of will, survivorship, or other incidents of the acquisition, ownership, or transfer (during life or at death) of real or personal property, including eligibility to hold property as tenants by the entirety.
* Causes of action related to or dependent upon spousal status, including an action for wrongful death, emotional distress, loss of consortium, dramshop, or other torts or actions under contracts reciting, related to, or dependent upon spousal status.
* Probate law and procedure, including nonprobate transfer.
* Adoption law and procedure.
* Group insurance for state employees.
* Spouse abuse programs.
* Protection against discrimination based upon marital status.
* Victim’s compensation rights.
* Workers’ compensation benefits.
* Emergency and non-emergency medical care and treatment, hospital visitation and notification.
* Terminal care documents and durable power of attorney for health care execution and revocation.
* Family leave benefits.
* State public assistance benefits.
* State and municipal tax laws, except for estate tax provisions.
* Marital privilege and testimonial immunity laws.
* The homestead rights of a surviving spouse and homestead property tax allowance.
* Loans to veterans
* The definition of family farmer
* Making, revoking, and objecting to anatomical gifts by others.
* State pay for military service.
* Applications for absentee ballots.
* Family landowner rights to fish and hunt.
* Legal requirements for wage assignments.
* Affirmance of relationship.
* Parties to a civil union can modify the terms, conditions, or effects of their legal relationship in the same manner and to the same extent as married people can through premarital and other agreements recognized and enforceable under the law.

With all of the rights listed above, why do gay couples still want to get married? Why are Prop. 8 supporters against these marriages? One reason is because, similar to teaching about gay marriages in schools, churches will also be affected. Since the ACLU will be on the side of gay couples, there is always the chance that churches will be sued if they turn away gay couples from marrying in their churches or by their pastors. I know that by using the word “chance”, gay marriage supporters will say that a chance is not a 100% possibility. Yet, in this case, I highly doubt that churches will be immune. When churches are sued, they can lose their tax-exempt status, they could be forced to pay out millions in discrimination lawsuits and they could ultimately lose their churches. All due to what some consider a “right” to marry.

So, even though gay marriage supporters say they don’t see what the big deal is about legalizing gay marriage in California, I must ask whether they think it’s a big deal to churches, to parents of school-aged children, or to the California voters that do not support gay marriage. If gay marriage is legal in the California Constitution, would that not be discriminatory against those who are against it? I’m always bothered when gay marriage is equated to a race issue. If it were a race issue, I could see it as a discrimination factor, but it is not. If someone chooses to be in a relationship with someone of their own gender, that is their choice. Race is not a choice. The gender you are born with is not a choice. Who you love is. Love is always a choice.

Therefore, I will be voting Yes on Proposition 8. Not only will I be standing up for children, churches and the California voters that wanted to define marriage as between a man and a woman back in 2000, but I will be voting to protect marriage. Marriage is a sacred union between one man and one woman before God. That’s how it all began and I will vote to help it continue in the tradition in which it was created.