A: Proposition H8 seeks to amend the California State Consitution in order to preserve the traditional role which marriage has played in our society.
Q: How does it differ from Proposition 8?
A: Proposition 8 also seeks to amend the California State Consitution, but does so by defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Proposition H8, however, goes one step further by defining marriage as between one man and one woman of the same race.
Q: Why do you feel the need to define marriage by race?
A: The erosion of the role of marriage in our society began half a century ago in the California State Supreme Court ruling on Perez v. Sharp, which removed anti-miscegenation laws from the Califonia Civil Code and set an audacious precedent for the destruction of marriage. Gay rights advocates routinely draw direct parallels to the Perez v. Sharp ruling and cite it as a legal precedent to allow homosexual marriage to be recognized. As long as this ruling remains valid, the protection of traditional marriage will be a steep uphill battle.
Q: Aren't you writing discrimination into the state constitution?
A: No. This is a common argument parroted by gay rights advocates and other members of the radical left. Proposition H8 does not prohibit individuals from marrying, but simply defines marriage as it has been in this country for centuries: between one man and one woman of one race. It is not an attack on any one particular race. California citizens of all races will be considered equal under the law, all legal unions will be entitled to the same benefits, and violators of the law will be punished without regards to their race.
Q: What about domestic partnerships?
A: What about them? Proposition H8, like its cousin, "doesn't take away any rights or benefits" from civil unions (Family Code §297.5.) Interracial domestic partnerships will not be affected.
Q: How will this affect my children?
A: Children in public schools are required to be taught about marriage as early as Kindergarten (Education Code §51890.) If Proposition H8 is not overturned children will be forced to learn that a marriage between two people of different races is legitimate. This consitutes a direct assault on personal and religious freedom.
Q: But haven't our children been taught this since the 1948 ruling?
A: Yes, and now we are struggling to keep marriage restricted to gender. The 1948 ruling created a precedent by which the gay rights lobby can now argue that it is unconstitutional to prohibit citizens from obtaining marriage licenses based on their sexual orientation. It is an obvious personification of the old saying: "Give them an inch and they'll take a mile."
Q: I support Proposition H8, but many supporters of Proposition 8 argue that I am being racist. How do I respond to this blatant fear-mongering?
A: Many supporters of Proposition H8 are irresponsibly demonized as being "racist" or "bigots", even by Proposition 8 supporters! Faced with such inciting rhetoric, Prop H8 supporters must educate their Prop 8 brothers and sisters on a number of key points:
- Just as they are not seeking to discriminate against gays or lesbians with their amendment, we do not seek to discriminate against members of any race.
- Proposition H8 simply maintains marriage as it has been for centuries: a union between one man and one woman of one race. We, too, value the sancitity of marriage and are seeking to do all we can to preserve it. Supporters of both propositions are fighting for the same goal!
- Proposition H8 will in no way hinder the ability of Californians to obtain marriage licenses or domestic partnerships. As with Proposition 8, traditional marriages and domestic partnerships will enjoy a "separate but equal" status that is beneficial to both parties.
