I previously wrote (albeit indirectly) about the pile of nonsense that is Proposition #2, to be voted on in November. This proposition would permanently amend the Texas Constitution to ban same-sex marriage.
Quite apart from the practical reality that this proposition is legislatively unnecessary, since Texas state law already forbids same-sex marriage, I am utterly opposed to this proposition if only because it seeks to insititutionalize discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. Effectively it seeks to abridge the rights of homosexual people.

Here is a letter that I received today from a work colleague explaining why Texas voters need to vote against this proposition. This is the most eloquent, heartfelt communication I have seen thus far on this subject.

Dear Friends, Family, Neighbors & Colleagues,

I'm asking for your support - actually I'm pleading be honest. I cannot express in this email how tired, frustrated and hurt I am about the continued discrimination and bigotry toward my family, spreading in this country. Jeanie & I simply want to live the American Dream; raise a family, live in a nice home in a nice neighborhood, reap the rewards of our labors and provide the best life we can for our daughter. It seems that so many people want to deny that. How is that Christian? How is that liberty and justice for all? I want to go to bed at night, and not wake several times throughout the night, wondering what I have to do the next day to fight for my rights and protect my daughter and my family. Why do I have to live like this - it simply is unjust! You cannot imagine the pain in my heart!

As you may know - on November 8, Texas will vote on a constitutional amendment to add marriage discrimination in to the Constitution. It will listed on the ballot as HJR6. Do you know is that it is currently illegal in the state of Texas for same gendered couples to get legally married? so why then do we need to add discriminatory language in the constitution; language that could be used to deny my family future rights? For example, what is something happened to me, Cadence's legal parent? Would this discriminatory language be used to deny Jeanie parental rights - which would take Cadence from her Momma?? Would Jeanie lose our home - my retirement fund? What rights will my family be denied next?

In the next few months, you will hear your politicians and your churches tell you that you should support this amendment - what they will not tell you is that it is simply not necessary - again, it is already illegal for same gendered couples to legally marry in Texas. It is important you realize that this effort is discrimination - pure & simple - written and supported by small minded, self serving, bigoted politicians and right winged conservatives.

In closing, I want to ask a few simple things of you; my friends, my neighbors, my colleagues.
Think about this discrimination - pray about it. Talk to me about it if you have questions. Talk to your friends about it. Challenge politicians - your preachers - your neighbors. It is a big deal to me and my family - so please take it seriously. Jeanie & I are great parents and we contribute a great deal to Cadence's school, our neighborhood, our church, our community - do we deserve less than you? Should the country we were born in - pay taxes to and love, discriminate against us? The answer is quite simple - NO!

Same gender marriage is a religious issue - not a political or Constitutional issue. Your church, any church, has the right to deny us marriage, but the government in this country has no right to write discrimination into our coveted Constitution.

Please go to the polls on November 8 and VOTE NO on HJR6. If you do not live in Texas, but have friends or family that do, please discuss this issue with them and help them realize why they should go to the polls and NOTE NO. The rights and legal protection of my family and my daughter depend on your support.

You can go to www.nononsenseinnovember.org/ or www.savetexasmarriage.com to learn more about this proposed discriminatory amendment.

Thanks - Cheryl

I urge all like-minded Texans to vote against this pile of bigotted, irrelevant nonsense. It is an example of a mean-spirited attempt to insitutionalize discrimination, which insults human dignity, and which conflicts with documented principles on which modern America was founded.