Remember: Vote No on Proposition 8 - Support Marriage Equality.



Thanks!

John and Mark

Celebrate the life of Del Martin.

View her wedding ceremony on June 16, 2008 to Phyllis Lyon, the first day of legal marriage equality in California.

http://groundspark.org/del-and-phyllis

Groundspark, which produced the video, creates visionary films and dynamic educational campaigns that move individuals and communities to take action for a more just world.

Re-elect John to the Franklin-McKinley School Board

It's nearly election time again. Filings opened on Monday for the November elections, and I have turned in my paperwork for re-election to the school board.

I have worked over the last three and half years to bring a teacher's voice to the school board and to the work of the District and of the Board. I feel I have successfully done so and hope to be re-elected.

Your contributions as well as your suggestions about the work so far are very welcome.

John

Ballot Argument Against Proposition 8

OUR CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION -- the law of our land -- SHOULD GUARANTEE THE SAME FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS TO EVERYONE -- NO ONE group SHOULD be singled out to BE TREATED DIFFERENTLY.

In fact, our nation was founded on the principle that all people should be treated equally. EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW IS THE FOUNDATION OF AMERICAN SOCIETY.

That's what this election is about -- equality, freedom and fairness, for all.

Marriage is the institution that conveys dignity and respect to the lifetime commitment of any couple. PROPOSITION 8 WOULD DENY LESBIAN AND GAY COUPLES that same DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

That's why Proposition 8 is wrong for California.

Regardless of how you feel about this issue, the freedom to marry is fundamental to our society, just like the freedoms of religion and speech.

PROPOSITION 8 MANDATES ONE SET OF RULES FOR GAY AND LESBIAN COUPLES AND ANOTHER SET FOR EVERYONE ELSE. That's just not fair. OUR LAWS SHOULD TREAT EVERYONE EQUALLY.

In fact, the government has no business telling people who can and cannot get married. Just like government has no business telling us what to read, watch on TV or do in our private lives. We don't need Prop 8; we don't need more government in our lives.

REGARDLESS OF HOW ANYONE FEELS ABOUT MARRIAGE FOR GAY AND LESBIAN COUPLES, PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE SINGLED OUT FOR UNFAIR TREATMENT UNDER THE LAWS OF OUR STATE. Those committed and loving couples who want to accept the responsibility that comes with marriage should be treated like everyone else.

DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS are NOT MARRIAGE.

When you're married and your spouse is sick or hurt, there is no confusion: you get into the ambulance or hospital room with no questions asked. IN EVERYDAY LIFE AND ESPECIALLY IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS ARE SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH. Only marriage provides the certainty and the security that people know they can count on in their times of greatest need.

EQUALITY UNDER THE LAW IS A FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEE. Prop 8 separates one group of Californians from another and excludes them from enjoying the same rights as other loving couples.

Forty-six years ago I married my college sweetheart, Julia. We raised three children -- two boys and one girl. The boys are married, with children of their own. Our daughter, Liz, a lesbian, can now also be married -- if she so chooses.

All we have ever wanted for our daughter is that she be treated with the same dignity and respect as her brothers -- with the same freedoms and responsibilities as every other Californian.

My wife and I never treated our children differently, we never loved them any differently and now the law doesn't treat them differently, either.

Each of our children now has the same rights as the others, to choose the person to love, commit to and to marry.

Don't take away the equality, freedom and fairness that everyone in California -- straight, gay or lesbian -- deserves.

Please join us in voting NO on Prop 8.

- Samuel Thoron

Former President, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays

- Julia Miller Thoron

John McCain went to speak to the NAACP yesterday. I'm sure he was hoping that people would forget or forgive his complete lack of respect for the NAACP in the past, as outlined here.

John

Marriage Equality arrives in California!

Today, June 17, marriage equality began its first full day as a reality here in California. Happy couples have been on the television, on various news outlets, on the web, etc.

What a great thing, to achieve first-class citizenship!

Best wishes to all the happy couples!

Help keep this reality alive. Join the work of Equality for All.

John