The first day of gay and lesbian marriages in California was an incredibly moving day for many. Our seniors, who have spent a lifetime loving and being responsible for each other, finally had an opportunity to wed. Our youth who hope to marry were finally free to have those hopes and dreams recognized like every other Californian: to find someone, fall in love, develop a deep and committed relationship, and to marry.

But now there is a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November (Proposition 8) that is designed to re-write the state constitution to specifically exclude gay and lesbian couples from the fundamental freedom to marry.

Some ask why Proposition 8 matters if they don’t personally want to marry.

Proposition 8 is not about whether any individual may choose to marry. It is about having your choice taken away solely because you love someone of the same gender. It is about a few extremists putting the fundamental freedoms of one group to a vote. This is America – we don’t vote to take away fundamental freedoms from groups we simply don’t like.

If you doubt the deep anti-GLBT bias and hate in this proposition, remember that even convicted or incarcerated serial killers and rapists have the freedom to marry. That’s how basic the freedom to marry is in our country! If Proposition 8 passes they will have freedoms no gay or lesbian couple in California can have.

Our constitution guarantees the same freedoms and rights to everyone. No one group should be singled out to be treated differently. The freedom to marry is a choice all Californians should have, not a select few. That’s wrong. It is about freedom, fairness and equal treatment under the law.

Proposition 8 matters because “marriage” is the institution that conveys dignity and respect to the lifetime commitment of any couple in our society. No one dreams of growing up and becoming domestically partnered. Proposition 8 would say that gay and lesbian couples are not worthy of the same dignity and respect as their non-gay counterparts. We cannot have a law that says our love is not worthy of respect.

Proposition 8 matters because we now have an opportunity for our youth to grow up in a world where the explicit interpretation of our constitution is this:

“This state’s current policies and conduct regarding homosexuality recognize that gay individuals are entitled to the same legal rights and the same respect and dignity afforded all other individuals and are protected from discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation, and, more specifically, recognize that gay individuals are fully capable of entering into the kind of loving and enduring committed relationships that may serve as the foundation of a family and of responsibly caring for and raising children.” (Chief Justice George)

Proposition 8 would re-write the law to say we are not capable or worthy as couples and families.

Proposition 8 matters because it means that after staying together through decades of life’s ups and downs, our seniors can finally choose to marry the person they have loved for a lifetime. They deserve that opportunity and freedom. They deserve that recognition. They have more than earned it.

Protect your freedom. Preserve the dignity and respect you deserve. Vote “no” on Proposition 8 on Tuesday Nov. 4, 2008.

For more information on ways you can help to defeat Proposition 8, visit www.centeradvocacy.org.