My parents live in California and have been campaigning for Prop 8. Recently they wrote an editorial which was published in their local paper.
An Education in Tolerance
by Sharon Kaye Fisher
I am trying to figure out what tolerance means with regard to Proposition 8.
My good friend has a cousin who is lesbian. Her cousin is invited to all the family activities and continues to be an active part of the family. Another friend’s father is gay. This friend visited with his father growing up and his father often “hangs out” at his own family's house now. My husband hires and employs gay and lesbian individuals who also serve in some of the highest management positions in the company. These actions exemplify tolerance to me. All of these friends are supporters of Proposition 8.But all I read about in the newspaper and hear about on TV interviews from those opposed to Prop 8 is that its supporters are “intolerant”, “hateful”, and “discriminatory”.
Yet those same three words describe recent experiences from the opposition: (1) A friend’s car was spray painted because she had a “YES on Prop 8” bumper sticker; (2) “YES on Prop 8” signs were stolen from yards; (3) There was verbal abuse, name calling, and swearing to those making Prop 8 phone call surveys; (4) Because of the opposition in their work place, some of my friends are fearful of discussing Prop 8 or putting “Yes on 8” bumper stickers on their cars.
Why is the opposition intolerant of an open discussion? Why is the opposition intolerant of visible support by an overwhelming number of Californians in favor of Prop 8? Why would the opposition create an environment of intolerance, fear, and intimidation?
I can’t help but think that Mayor Gavin Newsom gave us the answer to all of these questions when he said, “It’s gonna happen, whether you like it or not,” regarding same-gender marriage. There doesn’t appear to be any tolerance by the opposition for the discussion of Prop 8. Even though 61% of Californians voted to support traditional marriage in 2000, there seems to be an intolerant attitude for an open democratic discussion as well as a democratic vote. Instead, there is much effort to suppress both. To me that doesn’t sound like the tolerance for debate necessary in a democracy.
Tolerance is a two way street. Four Justices were intolerant of California voters and threw out a law similar to that found constitutional by four other State Supreme Courts. Let’s stop the intolerance to those trying to inform voters of Prop 8. Let's not jump to unfair conclusions about how Prop 8 supporters treat those who chose a same-gender lifestyle. Prop 8 is not anti-gay. Prop 8 is protective of children and supportive of traditional marriage and family--which is the fundamental unit of every society. Let’s be tolerant to at least discussing the perspective of Prop 8 supporters.
(Editorial written by Brent and Sharon Kaye Fisher sent to Press-Enterprise Newspaper, Oct 12, 2008)
