Proposition 8 will legalize discrimination

The truth about Proposition 8, civil marriage, is basically a form of contract.

Two people agreeing to a set of rights and responsibilities regarding one another — period. Civil marriage has nothing to do with churches or schools. Prop. 8 is, simply put, an attempt to legalize discrimination. Oh, sure, there are political ads and buzz words being used to justify it, but make no mistake, this is about denying one group of people equal rights under the law.

There are a few basics we all learned as young children. One of those basics being that America was founded, and our laws based, on the premise of equality. Granted, during our history we've made some egregious errors on the equality front and try as we might, we've yet to rid ourselves of the fear and ignorance that causes discrimination. But I've always been of the opinion that we were evolving — until now.

Some would have you believe it's OK to discriminate as long as it's just against gay marriage. The problem with this thought process is that it's a case of situational ethics. Once you condone one ethical deviation, once you cross that line, it becomes blurred and much easier to cross again and again. I'm reminded of the poem attributed to Pastor Martin Niemaller. There are a few versions floating around; the version inscribed at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. reads: First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.

Proposition 8 — they are coming for the gays. On Nov. 4, we all have the obligation to speak out, "no" on Prop 8!

Martha Smith-Sanchez
Lodi