FAQs about Proposition 8
Claim:
If Proposition 8 doesn't pass, you could be sued for your personal beliefs if you don't approve of homosexuality.
Fact:
California law already prohibits discrimination against anyone based on race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. You're not going to be sued for your personal beliefs.
Claim:
If Proposition 8 doesn't pass, churches could lose their tax-exempt status if they refuse to approve of gay marriage or conduct gay wedding ceremonies.
Fact:
The Supreme Court ruling stated "no religion will be required to change its religious policies or practices with regard to same-sex couples."
Claim:
If Proposition 8 doesn't pass, you will have no control over what your children are taught in school, and they will be taught about gay marriage.
Fact:
California law prohibits public schools from teaching students anything about health and family issues against the will of their parents.
Claim:
"Acceptance of gay marriage is now mandatory."
Fact:
Nobody can be forced to accept something they don't want to accept. Your beliefs are your own.
Claim:
Passing Proposition 8 protects traditional marriage.
Fact:
There are multiple problems with this simple claim. For one thing, if marriage is under attack, shouldn't we be addressing all of those factors? Economic stress has been shown in studies to cause marital problems, yet Proposition 8 will do nothing to address this.
Another issue is that there are multiple definitions of "traditional" marriage. Marriage used to be a business contract uniting two families, with the purpose of producing heirs. The idea of romantic love as the primary basis for choosing a mate is a relatively recent one and is not universally accepted. (In fact, NPR has recently been profiling young Muslim Americans who are struggling with the issue of arranged marriages, and with the parents who wish to arrange them.) Also, many heterosexual couples choose to remain childless, yet are still very much considered married. On the other hand, adoption and medical technology gives infertile or same-sex couples a way to have their own children.
The one thing everyone seems to be able to agree on is that a solid marriage promotes familial and societal stability. So marriage should be a right available to everyone regardless of sexual orientation.
Claim:
Proposition 8 doesn't take away rights from gay people.
Fact:
If you are married, would you be happy to have your marriage referred to as a "domestic partnership" from now on? Most couples would not. Furthermore, "By taking away marriage rights from one group of Californians, Proposition 8 violates the principles of freedom, fairness and equality that are at the core of the State's constitution." says Republicans Against 8.
Claim:
Homosexuality is a choice. Couldn't gays and lesbians just choose to marry somebody of the opposite sex?
Fact:
Scientific studies have demonstrated that sexual preference is hard-wired from early in life, not a choice. However, religious preference/belief could be described as a "choice", but it is still a choice protected by law, as it should be.
Claim:
If gay marriage is legal, then it opens the door to allowing marriages between adults and children/animals/etc.
Fact:
This is simply not true. Children are not allowed to get married because they cannot legally consent. Nor can animals. There is no "slippery slope" here.
Claim:
"Four judges ignored 4 million voters and imposed same-sex marriage on California."
Fact:
Granting civil rights by popularity contest isn't such a great idea. Decades ago, polls showed that the majority of California voters opposed interracial marriage in California. The Supreme Court overturned laws banning interracial marriage, and today, the majority of Californians are no longer opposed. It doesn't mean that interracial marriage was wrong then and right now - but views have changed, as they do.
Furthermore, our country has a proud tradition of protecting rights even when they aren't popular. Freedom of speech, the first amendment in the U.S. Constitution, is a good example. It protects even speech that most people find objectionable, but it also protects people's rights to debates issues like Proposition 8 - on both sides.
Claim: Gavin Newsom is cocky and annoying.
Fact: Well, yes. But if that's a reason to take away civil rights from a subset of the population, none of us would have any rights...
Sources:
http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/1290701.html
http://www.republicansagainst8.com/faq/
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/109585159/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
http://www.noonprop8.com/about/fact-vs-fiction
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