California's Proposition 8 -- My Letter to Calif. Family

[This is a copy of the letter I sent to my California in-laws urging them to support efforts to defeat Proposition 8. Do what you can to encourage your relatives, friends, and network to squash this ridiculous attempt at discrimination... --BMW.]

Dear Family,

You know I'm not a huge fan of email pleas, political campaigning via. email (okay, with exception of my write-in campaign earlier this year which I lost on technicality), or other frivolous messages....

This is no such message.

As smart people, you've no doubt heard about the battle raging in California regarding Proposition 8 -- heading for a vote November 4th. Despite any other political views, you've no doubt decided to join those who respect the rights of others to defeat this ridiculous measure.... I mean, seriously... what are they thinking!?

What you may not know is how desperate and important the fight to defeat Proposition 8 really is. Your ballot in California will read:

Proposition 8: ELIMINATES RIGHT OF SAME-SEX COUPLES TO MARRY. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

Changes California Constitution to eliminate right of same-sex couples to marry. Provides that only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.

The State of California has the unique opportunity to separate one group of Californians from another and exclude them from enjoying the same rights as other loving couples. This, as I'm sure you will agree, is simply insane.

As you know, Richard and I enjoy our time in California and enjoy visiting as often as we can (as recently as two weeks ago (photos)!). While we have no plans to relocate to the State in which we were both born, we'd love to know we would not be discriminated against should our future together bring us back. (And how depressing would it be to get together this holiday season in California knowing that we are being specifically discriminated against... in California... really?!)

The nationwide repercussions are even scarier. If the proponents of this effort are successful -- IMAGINE for a moment the momentum this will create in other states such as ours. This is truly a landmark effort that must be stopped NOW.

I appreciate we can't all open our checkbooks (trust me, I know!), and I -- for one -- am not as famous as Ellen DeGeneres (yet! ;) )... but we can still help squash this attempt at blatant discrimination. Here's how:

• Talk. Tell your friends, neighbors, and everyone you meet to VOTE. And to especially vote NO on 8. (CA voter reg. ends 10/20!)
• Contribute. Give money, volunteer your time to help educate the influential voters that may be led to support the lies.
• Educate. Yourself, others -- find out what's at stake and make an informed decision.

For more information / ideas / to donate: http://www.noonprop8.com/

If you promise to help me spread the word among California voters, I'll promise to not send another emotional plea or call to action this election year. If you do nothing else this November... VOTE NO ON 8.

Or trust me, it's gonna be a really awkward holiday dinner table! ;-)

Thanks for listening and being smart people,

--BMW.

Happy Coming Out Day!

With recent celebrities making public their homosexuality, or "coming out" as it's colloquially known -- it seems each year's "Coming Out Day" just get more relevant.

Some resources for those who may be struggling with coming to terms with their sexuality:

• The Coming Out Project, from the Human Rights Campaign helps GLBT, as well as straight-supportive people live openly and talk about their support for equality at home, at work and in their communities each and every day. The resource contains coming out guides, a list of National Coming Out Day events, and helpful information for straight supporters.
  
• The Trevor Project runs the nation's only 24/7 "crisis and suicide prevention helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth." The helpline can be reached at 866-4-U-TREVOR. I'm proud to donate my time and efforts each year during Gay Days Anaheim to producing the Wonderland kick-off party where all proceeds benefit this extraordinary organization. Consider making a donation in honor of those struggling for the acceptance many of us take for granted.