A Proposition 8 Response

Dear Equality Friends and Allies -

I know many of us are still recovering from our efforts of yesterday: a sleepless night followed by early morning check-in at the dispatch centers, hours of talking with voters, harassment at the polls, frenzied cell-phone calls throughout the day, disappointment as the evening wore on. Our joy at Obama's win became bittersweet as we watched the returns and realized that, in spite of our dedication and hard work over these last few months, Proposition 8 would pass after all. We feel exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally; and we need time to mourn, to rail against injustice, to bemoan the narrowness of people's minds and the entrenchment of their hearts.

But as we grieve this limiting of civil and human of rights, we shouldn't overlook the fact that things have changed. While Proposition 22 won by an almost two-thirds majority eight years ago, Prop 8 barely squeaked by with 52% of the vote this time around. (Those of us who live in Irvine will be gratified to learn that it was actually defeated in our city, with 51% of the city's population voting against the measure! More election results here.) Many of our supporters found themselves on the side of marriage equality for the first time, as they came to understand and embrace the desire of all couples to be able to officially declare their love for and commitment to one another.

However, perhaps the greatest result of the NO ON 8 campaign in Orange County has been the awakening of the progressive community it has engendered here. Many advocates, especially in South County, felt that there were no other like-minded people to be found in the area. And yet we did find each other: waving signs on busy intersections, driving cross-county for yard signs and bumper stickers, congregating at churches for strategy sessions, marching with gay and straight allies, sending emails and creating event websites, phone-banking at sympathetic business establishments, forming clubs and support groups on high school and college campuses. We are not alone; far from it, in fact. This fight against discrimination has resulted in new connections and sources of inspiration for all of us. And they will persist.

We will be in touch in the next few days and weeks to make you aware of new opportunities in our search to secure equal rights for everyone. Please join us on this journey. We know our destination; the only question is how long it will take us to arrive.

In peace and hope,

Felicity