Concerned about Prop. 8 losing ground, Villaraigosa jumps in with letter and $25,000 donation
By Jeff Mitchell, PolitickerCA.com EditorLos Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa jumped fully into the Prop. 8 fray Monday, sending out a statewide message via the Courage Campaign, a grass- and netroots activist organization, urging people to defeat the measure.
The popular Democratic mayor, who is thought to be actively considering a run for governor in 2010, also announced he was personally donating $25,000 to the effort directed at getting voters to reject the initiative that would permanently codify marriage in the California Constitution as being strictly between a man and a woman.
"Unfortunately, polls now show that the anti-marriage equality "Yes on 8" campaign is leading, just as vote-by-mail ballots arrive in voters' mailboxes across California. The "No on 8" campaign needs our help today to get the marriage equality message out on TV immediately," Villaraigosa wrote.
Here's the mayor's full letter:
"I entered politics because the America of my dreams includes everyone, not just a few.
Too many people have suffered injustice, discrimination, and inequality. It's time to bring every American out of the shadows and into the light. Our laws should not be used to single one group out to be treated differently. Instead, our laws should guarantee the same fundamental rights to every Californian.
Same-sex marriage is the law of the land in California. In my legal capacity as Mayor of Los Angeles, I have proudly officiated many same-sex weddings since the Supreme Court ruling in June confirmed the constitutionality of these unions.
These are loving, committed couples who want to get married for universal reasons: they love, care for, protect and take responsibility for each other.
I vow to vote No on Proposition 8 because I believe our civil society demands that we uphold -- not eliminate -- these fundamental rights. I believe all Californians deserve to be treated equally. And I believe that government exists to protect individual rights, not to undermine them.
Unfortunately, polls now show that the anti-marriage equality "Yes on 8" campaign is leading, just as vote-by-mail ballots arrive in voters' mailboxes across California. The "No on 8" campaign needs our help today to get the marriage equality message out on TV immediately. That's why I'm taking a stand against Prop. 8 today by contributing $25,000 to the "No on 8" campaign. And I would like you to join me by digging deep and contributing whatever you can afford - whether it's $5, $50, $500, or $5,000 - to the "No on 8" campaign on Courage's ActBlue page right now:
http://www.actblue.com/page/NoOnProp8
Opponents of marriage equality have blanketed California with misleading ads and have raised an unprecedented sum of money, outspending the "No on 8" campaign by over $10 million. In fact, the "Yes on 8" campaign received so many individual contributions, both large and small, that the sheer volume crashed the Secretary of State's reporting system last Tuesday.
I know that many defenders of marriage equality just like you have contributed a lot of money so far to the "No on 8" campaign -- but we need to redouble our efforts now to match the flood of money raised by supporters of Prop 8. Californians from across the political and cultural spectrum have united to fight Prop 8 and defend fundamental rights ....
Our state constitution protects our rights. It should not be used to deny civil rights to anyone.
Please join me in supporting the No on 8 campaign. And tell your friends by forwarding this Courage Campaign message. Together, we can take a stand for the right of every Californian to marry the person they love.
Thank you for vowing to vote No on --and contribute to the defeat of -- Prop 8.
Antonio Villaraigosa
Mayor of Los Angeles"
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Against prop 8
People read the bible for yourself at (Blue bible com. Type in any topic of the bible and scriptures will come up on that topic. Example type homosexuals, sin, endtimes, lastdays, book of life, Jesus return and so on. There is no excuse not to know the bible anymore it is right at your finger tips. May God bless you and give you the understanding of his word in Jesus name.
Hypocrisy
"Next time, do a little research before you start saying Obama" doesn't support traditional marriage.
Obama has officially said that he is believes marriage should be defined as being between a man and a woman. However, he is also against Proposition 8.
I know that sounds like a contradiction. Why? Because it is. Obama is a hypocrite. (Can't say too much better for McCain, but at least he's consistent on this issue.)
However, he's not the only one. No on 8 is rank with hypocrisy, declaring Yes on 8 hateful and intolerant, while making their most visible mark in the campaign trespassing, stealing, vandalizing, threatening, defaming, and otherwise abusing Proposition 8 supporters.
Obama OPPOSES Prop 8
Next time, do a little research before you start saying Obama supports traditional marriage. Obama has officially stated he opposes Prop 8 and any other measure which would ban gay marriage. Read his letter and the article for yourself: http://www.calitics.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=6307
Stop discriminating people. Bigotry is not American.
Yes on eight is fascist.
Fascist and un-American.
Prop 8
Just a reminder to both sides of the presidential race...Obama'/Biden and Mcain/Palin are in favor of the traditional definition of marriage as was clearly stated in the last vice-presidential debate. A genderless society is not one that creates or maintains stability. In reading these comments, I have found more intolerance and hatred in those that are attemptint to change what has been a stabilizing factor in the past. Divorce, for example, was not predominant until vocal crowds began telling the upcoming generation that there wasn't as big of a problem with it than was previously believed. However, now, it's the children that have to spend most of their time outside the home because their supporting parent has to work around the clock to make ends meet. Children have to split their alliegences between thier parents because they are often at odds with each other. A child has the right to a mother and a father, each bringing different characteristics into the home that represent male or female. There is no intolerance in that. This IS a moral issue and government does not have the right to dictate it. Traditional marriage HAS worked as a stabilizing factor throughout the ages and, historically, when a society tries to alter the basic concept ofthe family, it has suffered. I'm voting yes on prop 8.
When You Vote YES! Prop. 8 You've Voted For American Freedom
Prop. 8 is about American Freedom. If prop. 8 fails, it will hurt all of us, including same-sexuals, because it is a direct attack on basic freedom. And once a special interest group is allowed to make new laws, other special interest groups will be quick to follow. Get the facts: www.ifprop8fails.org, www.whatisprop8.com,
www.preservingmarriage.org, www.protectmarriage.com
Vote Yes! Prop. 8.
Vote Yes! American Freedom
Let's you, me, and same-sexuals work together to restore freedom of voice and religion in our beautiful California and use the millions of dollars to help the hungry and poor instead of trying to force new laws that will cost even more and take even more away from those truly in need of basic life support like food and medical care, especially in this economic storm.
To me, voting no on prop. 8 is anti-American.
Not surprised that the Mayor hates traditional marriage
Can't say that I'm surprised that the adulterous mayor of LA is in opposition to Prop 8. He's already trashed is traditional marriage and abandoned his children. He lacks any credibility from a moral standpoint and is the poster child for selfish, childish behavior. Vote Yes on 8 as a stand for traditional marriage and affront to Mayor Tony.
Vote Yes on 8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI-GjWY-WlA
Tolerance does not mean I need to stand by and do nothing on something I feel is sacred. I have a right to voice my opinion too without hostility and evil. Marriage is defined in the scriptures as between a man and a woman, it is ordained by God. God has forbidden homosexuality and named it sinful however we still love all PEOPLE. However, we do not have to stand idly by and accept the actions as acceptable behavior. This proposition does not mean that homosexuals will have less rights, it just means that the sacred union of marriage is protected. Find a new word for what you want. Marriage is between a man and a woman.
Nevertheless, God's plan will play out in the end (perhaps not on November 4th). Satan has a great hold on people and nations and devises ways to deceive people every day to see bad as good and good as bad. Do not be deceived. Pray to know the truth, pray for guidance. Tolerance does not mean that we need to stand by and be forced to accept a homosexual lifestyle but we do have to accept the people.
The video I posted above expresses how I feel best.
Vote Yes on 8!
Yes on 8 - it's a legal thing, and a moral thing, and a domino..
Prop 8 is about so many issues. The legal issue is about 4 Activist Judges deciding that 61% of Californians were not capable of deciding for ourselves.
The moral issue is that those of us (by all polls, the majority) believe that marriage is between a man and a woman.
I am voting Yes on Prop 8.
Jesus Christ,
said, "Love your neighbor as you love yourself."
Nothing Christian about denying other people the right to be joined with the people they love.
Eeni Meenie Miney Moe
This to me is a non-issue. If you don't agree with marriage equality, don't marry someone of the same sex! As a school teacher, I don't ever recall reading/citing the words..."with liberty and justice for ALL" and seeing the word, "except". Separate but equal does not, has not and should not work. We can not "eenie meenie miney moe" through our neighborhoods and point to who is allowed marriage or not. As a christian and American, I am for equality, love, and acceptance to all human life. God bless, Stephanie
I Vow To Vote "NO" On Prop. 8!
The Constitution is no place to be adding something that takes away or limits rights on the people.
The Orange County Register put it best when they wrote in their editorial AGAINST Prop. 8 part of the following words:
"Guarantees of individual rights are included in constitutions precisely to ensure that such rights cannot be taken away, by majority vote, legislative enactment or administrative decision. The state Supreme Court ruled that the right to marry is a fundamental individual right that must be provided equally to all people desiring to marry. Allowing same-sex couples to share in this right does not denigrate or degrade the marriages of the vast majority of people who enter into the traditional man-woman form of marriage. It strikes us as simple fairness."
It can't be more clearer than that!
I'm voting "NO" on Prop. 8!
California - Vote "NO" on Prop. 8!
Arizona - Vote "NO" on Prop. 102! AGAIN!
Florida - Vote "NO" on Amendment 2!
Li is yet another
Li is yet another superficial dimwit that can't understand that gender is just physical appearance. It's incredibly superficial to deny a person the right to marry another because they both have the same physical gender. That's like saying a man can't cook because he's a man.
yes on prop 8
Defining marriage as between one man and one woman is not taking away anyone's rights. The definition simply distinguishes a union that is biologically capable of producing its own children. Whether a married couple has children or not, I feel like this deserves a separate name--even the potential is kind of a miracle.
Actually this definition can be seen as the ultimate expression of equality our society has to offer: it takes one man and one woman. One could see a lesbian union as a marginalization of men, or a homosexual union as a marginalization of women.
Equality is especially important when it comes to raising children. Children deserve/need a father and a mother. Neither parent should be marginalized.
Yes, many children are already growing up in single-parent homes. Prop 8 should be a reminder to everyone that as a society we need to assist and strengthen families as much as possible. Really, as a society we should be most concerned with the success and health of our families.
http://emiliadelmar.blogspot.com/2008/10/legislation-and-social-issues.h...
peace out
We don't have Civil Unions
Another error posted by a Yes on 8 supporter . . . lesbian and gay people of California do not have civil unions. VOTE NO ON 8!
Equal Rights
Posts like this are so frustrating. I really think William believes the drivel he is regurgitating. As they say over on the right... Ya can't fix stupid.
Equal Rights
Homosexuals have the SAME rights as everyone else with their civil unions. THE SAME ONES. Yes on 8!
More Rights
It's not more rights, it's equal rights.
There are two definitions of marriage we are dealing with here. The legal definition, which is all I care about.
And the religious definition, which I could not care less about. That is why church's are given tax free status to discuss this on their own turf, not in the government funded with my tax dollars.
Don't support discrimmination in America!
No on 8!
"Yes on 8 = STATE SPONSORED
Thanks Tim, I see your point.
I was referring to the fact that if 8 passes, we will amend our state constitution to support discrimination. Hence, state sponsored.
Ask yourself...
Who am I to say who marries and who does not? Are you God? Isn't this a matter of Religion & Personal belief? No, I suppose it is not... it has nothing to do with Church. This is a PURELY LEGAL issue. And this is where I get confused. I love the USA. My family was one of the first robber-baron type east coast "old money" families. I simply cannot fathom why these religious groups, whose minds have been white-washed, scrubbed of all thought other than "I must do everything for my God, who watches me"... would support this awful, prejudice amendment when it will not affect their personal lives AT ALL. Yes, I too have seen the scare ads, reminiscent of a post 9-11 "Bush Scarespectacular Bonanza" statement, where apparently all of your children will be forced to learn about same-sex couples & your churches will lose all their funding because they will have to honor same-sex marriages. First off, if you're children don't know about same-sex couples, I'm sorry... but they're like minorities- they exist. (eek, I know) But the scare tactics work. When you have an ignorant family, afraid of the outside world, you will have ignorant children. And this is how I was raised- until I started accepting others as myself. So for those of you that are "religious," you may want to consult with someone outside of your world on this one. And to those of you who think this is THE END of the world... you most likely are 1) insecure about yourself or 2) may just be afraid one day your own son or daughter will come out of the closet to you. And what will you have to say then? I can assure you that your kids would rather send you to an old-folks home then put up with your conservative, religious bantering. I know I will... and my parents already know it. So, with that said, God bless those that have been fortunate enough to marry in this short period. And to those afraid of the "Gay Agenda," do a little research before you spat out religious methodology which could just translate into just: HATE.
More Rights
If its more rights that you want you should petition for such, don't encroach upon marriage.
Vote Yes on 8! Protect Families. Protect Marriage
Ha
You're a pretty poor anthropologist then.
We are talking about changing the CA constitution to define marriage in religious terms. This is not the way our government works.
Think about U.S. history: The 13th, 14th, 15th and 19th amendments promote equality because ALL MEN(Humans) are created equal and should be treated as equal, and not separate but equal.
People would argue that the definition of Black is if your father is Black, then you are Black. Other states would define it as if you are only 1/4 of African descent, then you can be considered White. Some argued that if you have any drop of Black blood, you are Black. States took advantage of this to legally discriminate against people, and yet be able to say they are giving "equal rights."
Let's learn from our history, otherwise we are destined to repeat it. We are talking about tax paying American citizens being denied the same rights as other tax paying American citizens. If you are saying civil unions and marriage are basically the same thing, why do yo have a problem with it?
Let's also remember that even if prop 8 fails, if an American marries a foreigner of the same-sex, that partner does NOT gain citizenship, and that's not fair or equal. Hopefully, if Prop 8 fails, this will change over time.
Our dying "anything goes" civilization that needs repair
I'm glad the Mayor Villaraigosa is worried about the passage of Proposition 8, but that reassures me that it will pass. Too many good people working together are making sure that the United States does not become the next Europe. They are in the long process of telling their supposed cultural elites in the film, media, political, and educational establishments that they don't need them. They are are forming their own very different cultural elites who are just as educated as the old versions, but who believe in God, know that there is good and evil, and believe western civilization is worth saving. We want gays and lesbians of faith and good will to join us in the task, not attaching themselves to to dying civilization for political means.
My suggestion to the Prop 8 supporters is that they feature Mayor Villaraigosa in the next pro-proposition 8 advertisement. It would be as amusing as that of Mayor Gavin Newsom, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNaHpHl3t8g and would probably have the same impact, moving 5% more undecided voters into our camp.
Mayor Villaraigosa has, sadly, certainly ruined any future career as Governer or any statewide office by this lack of judgement. Let's just say he is now as likely to succeed in any higher office as Gavin Newsom himself.
When will people remember that, when you examine voting patterns by county, California is a massive red state with a strange blue fringe on some spots along the coast. Thank God, the demographic groups that are growing in California are Blacks (who will vote for Barak Obama and also for Proposition 8), Catholics, Evangelicals, Latter-day Saints, orthodox Jews, Seventh-day Adventists, the high number of hispanic Evangelicals (coming from Mexico and Central and South America), the many Asian Evangelicals (moving here from Korea, China, the Phillipines), and the rapidly-growing Eastern Christians (arriving from the middle east). These groups are not offset by the educational post-modernist intelligentia and religious pluralists, agnostics, and athiests, with birth rates lower than zero .California will be a red state within our lifetime; and we invite and gays and lesbians of intelligence and good will to work with us in restoring our civilization to its healthy state.
Mayor Villaraigosa 's letter says "together, we can take a stand for the right of every Californian to marry the person they love." If a mayor had said those words a generation ago, it would have been assumed that the "person they love" was a man or woman of the opposite gender. Unless we draw the line here and now, his letter in five years will say "the right of every Californian to marry the person, people, entire groups, little children, teenagers, dogs, horses, and sheep they love."
This is great!
Thank you so much Mayor Villaraigosa. You're a compassionate and outstanding leader. I've always respected and admired you for standing up for all of the under dogs, the oppressed and everyone who believes in equality. I personally will not forget your solidarity with me as a Latino and once again as a gay man. You can count on me to support you 100% in the future as I have in the past.
Many, many and equal thanks to Mayors Newsom and Sanders of San Francisco and San Diego. You guys lead our beautiful cities and Golden State into the future and inspire hope, love, fairness to those whom you represent.
"Yes on 8 = STATE SPONSORED
"Yes on 8 = STATE SPONSORED BIGOTRY AND DISCRIMINATION!"
Remember just because it is on the ballot doesn't mean that it is state sponsored. Measures come from lobby groups who have $$ (not bribes but funding to promote and support a measure) and signatures. We Californians are responsible for that by passing a measure not all that long ago that made it easier for measures to get on the ballot.
Always make sure to direct your anger at the right place.
^^
I will pray this doesn't go threw!
How dare someone try and take away my rights!
Im only 16 but i will try my hardest to make sure this measure of hate doesnt pass! We need true freedom and Equality! If any one wants to go against this they can leave the country of the Free xP No on prop 8 and Go Obama!
Equal Rights
If that were true, there wouldn't be as much of an issue. But it isn't true and you know it. It's not equal rights when you can't qualify for family health insurance, or you can't qualify for prop 13 family property sales, or you're not allowed the same status when dealing with a partner's end of life issues etc. There's numerous issues why it isn't equal rights.
Enabling same sex marriage is as much a legal issue as anything else.
Yes on 8 = STATE SPONSORED BIGOTRY AND DISCRIMINATION!
Equal Rights
Homosexual Couples already have equal rights under domestic partnership. Propositon 8 denies rights to no one. It simply reaffirms the definition of marriage as between a man and woman, plain and simple.
Vote Yes on 8!
Marriage
What do you mean no one is taking rights away?
That's just absurd and ignorant.
And it's not about the semantics of word marriage. It's about Americans having equal rights. Bigotry and discrimination is unAmerican.
If someone's religion says same sex marriage is taboo, they shouldn't have a same sex marriage. But their religion shouldn't govern others. That's why we live in a great democratic republic.
Focus on your own family!!
No on 8!!!
I totally agree. Marriage is
I totally agree. Marriage is between man and woman. You can not redefine it to mean something else. Its like saying an apple, is no longer called an apple, but now is called an orange.
Lies about Funding
Why do I keep seeing articles like this one claiming the No on Prop 8 side is being dramatically outspent? It simply is not true. It is as if the media is fundraising for the No on Prop 8 side. I have submitted corrections, but to date no author has printed a correction. Several donars to the No on Prop 8 side are donating through tax-exempt means that are not being picked up. See below.
A Close Vote:
Polling indicates that the vote will be very close. Both sides have raised millions of dollars. (See http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-moneymap,0,2198220.htmlstory.) Although the graphic suggests that the pro-Prop 8 side has raised more money, this is incorrect because some anti-Prop 8 groups are not being counted in the totals. For many months now, the following advertisement has been aired in California: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TBe3yn-XTg. Although the ad's opposition to Proposition 8 is clear, the millions of dollars spent to broadcast this ad are not being counted with the funds raised by the official "No on Prop 8" campaign because the ad never directly mentions Proposition 8. This clever omission has even allowed the ad's producers to enjoy tax-exempt status. Thus, fundraising amounts are either the same for both sides, or tilted toward the anti-Prop 8 side.
Another Key Point:
Out-of-state residents are donating millions of dollars to defeat Proposition 8. In fact, 40% of the anti-Prop 8 donations, compared with just 20% of the pro-Prop 8 donations, are from outside of California. (See http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-moneymap,0,2198220.htmlstory.)
marriage
What civil right and liberties will any one loose if prop 8 passes?
no one is taking any rights away . . .
and seriously think about it if you are really a gay couple why would you want to be married.
They are homosexual, they have domestic partners, not a wife or a husband, They have different sex, they cannot naturally have children which by definition is a product of marriage (do not argue this point with me I am an anthropologist . .it is true throughout the world).
right or wrong I do not care of personal opinions and beliefs about gay people . . .they have a different lifestyle with different terms. right or wrong you cannot redefine a word. marriage is between a man and woman.
homosexual can come up with what ever word they want to describe their union but it is not and never will be a marriage.
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