Kent and I have been a couple for 11 years. We would love to have the right to get married. We have registered as domestic partners which is now legal in the state of Washington but same sex marriage is still not an option in our state. I hope by sharing these pictures people will see that we are just average guys who happen to be gay who have fallen in love. It totally baffles me why people who do not even know me would want to deny us the right to marry. The argument that it undermines the "family" is old and tiring. Granted two men or two women getting married is different than the norm, but wrong - I don't think so!
Read on, it leaves me hopeful.............
SAN FRANCISCO -- A ballot initiative seeking to outlaw same-sex marriage in California lost support among voters after the state attorney general revised its wording to explain that the measure would rescind gay couples' newly won right to wed, according to a poll released Thursday.
Before the Supreme Court issued its sweeping decision on May 15, the referendum's sponsors qualified it for the November ballot under the title "Limit on Marriage." Its original summary was confined to the exact language that would be inserted into the constitution: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."
Brown's office said that language was no longer a sufficiently accurate description once the court's ruling took effect and rewrote the title and summary to say the proposition would "eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry." The measure's backers sued, arguing that the new phrasing unnecessarily prejudiced voters against the measure, but a judge sided with the attorney general.
But among the 30 percent of those surveyed who were not previously aware of the measure, the ballot language appeared to matter. Within that subgroup, 42 percent of the respondents said they were inclined to vote 'no' with the original summary, a share that climbed to 58 percent under the new wording.
"I would hazard a guess that it's the words 'Eliminates the right to do something' that is a stimulus in their making a judgment," DiCamillo said. "Whatever the right is, generally speaking, voters are in favor of individual rights. ... So I do think there is a negative drag in that compared to the original wording for those who are not paying attention."
Jennifer Kerns, a spokeswoman for ProtectMarriage.com, the coalition of religious and social conservative groups that put the measure on the ballot, said the poll results were not surprising.
"It's not surprising given the attorney general's latest attempt to influence the elections. We were expecting it would affect the numbers by a few percentage points," Kerns said.
At the same time, she said the Yes on 8 campaign's internal polling shows voters to be much more evenly divided.
If you know Kent and I or if this has changed your opinion in any way - the next time someone makes a negative comment about gays, step up and let them know that you know a couple of guys that deserve the right to marry! Write your representative and support candidates that don't discriminate! I would appreciate it!
Later -
Jim
You know that I am just standing at the ready, waiting to create the most fabulous wedding invitations! Not to mention picking out my bridesmaid dress! Or would I be the best man...er...woman? Either way, I would love the opportunity to witness your union...legally. I truly hope I get to see the day...SOON! Okay, enough, you actually got me a little misty eyed reading this post!
ReplyDeleteYou made me cry. Why do "they" even care what you do? Makes me sad. Jennifer looks really good in teal, aqua and plum :-)
ReplyDeleteI am working on the ceremony, my heart,love and pride wil be interwoven with the two of you. You have such wonderful supportive friends. I wish I could hug them all. Love Mom
ReplyDeleteSorry Jennifer and Hollie, now you have made it to difficult for Jim to choose, how could he not want his favorite sister as an attendant too? Let's face it the list is way to long of all the people who love and support you two, so no attendants, but if you must choose 2 witnesses to sign, may I suggest a lottery? See what you have started now Jim, and for the record I have for a long time spoken up in favor of same sex marriage. As a matter of fact, I have made such poor choices in the past of men, I'm thinking I've been choosing the wrong sex, what do you think? Love Midge
ReplyDelete