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)
That is incredible. I've been following Proposition 8 with a friend from BYU who is living in California. She works hard every day spreading the word. It is hard to hear that there are terrible people out there doing these things to people like her. We live in a sick world. I totally agree with everything your parents said. I am not anti-gay, I believe in protecting the sanctity of marriage between a man and a women for us and for our children. Tell your parents way to go.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great article! Your mom did a great job. Good for her for taking an active role :)
ReplyDeleteWell put, Sharon Kaye. Thanks for sharing this Jeanine. In Arizona, we are hoping that our own Prop 8 (Prop. 102) passes. It truly often seems that "tolerance" is only a one way street. We are praying for the passage of both of these propotions in California and Arizona. I have to wonder if the whole health care situation and AIDS epidemic has really been the catalyst for gay marriage. Health insurance is expensive and sometimes hard to get unless you are married and put on a policy as a dependent. Perhaps laws need to be changed so everyone can get health insurance, but surely we should not redefine the institution that is the building block or our society.
ReplyDeleteI have been having major issues with the same thing. Signs keep getting stolen or ripped up...it shows you the kind of the people that are voting against it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Jeanine. Living in the bay area, we are getting hit hard with opposition to Prop 8, but it has been amazing to see so many people come together in support of children and families. The media is very sly and has a way of wording this proposition as if to appear hateful and unfair to others rights. Even the election ballot has been worded such as to appear deceiving.
ReplyDeleteIf only people would take the time to educate themselves about the REAL issues concerning Proposition 8--religious freedoms and other consequences--they would see that this isn't a hateful act taking away others rights, but rather an act of protecting our very religious freedoms, which is what this country was founded upon.
Thanks so much Jeanine and thanks to your parents too. It's so nice to see well-thought declarations of this coming forth more and more, instead of the "hateful intolerant bigot" spin that seems to be so prevalent.
ReplyDeleteA request of everyone: Please spread the word on Proposition 8, whether you live in CA or not! We're fighting hard down here and any help that can be given from afar is very appreciated!
I SO agree with this! I had a gay professor at Cal Poly and while he wanted everyone to be tolerant of his lifestyle, he was so closed minded to the traditional family. I'm glad this was published for all to read.
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome!! What an example your parents are setting. I have a brother-in-law in Temecula whose house was egged two nights in a row with their signs ripped up and thrown on their front lawn (including their McCain/Palin sign). After he set up video cameras on the third night, the same people came back again and egged their car that had a Prop 8 sticker on the rear window. This apparently includes dozens of homes in their neighborhood. The police department told them they are too busy to deal with random acts of egging. I wonder if hundreds of homes/cars being vandalized in one city are considered "random" acts of vandalism. Hmm, wonder if the chief of police in Temecula is a Lib.
ReplyDeleteTell your parents to keep up the great work in California in preserving the sanctity of marriage between a Man and a Woman. -TC
This is great! It's crazy to me the kind of opposition that is going on in California. I'm praying that peoples' hearts will be softened!
ReplyDeleteI have goosebumps all over. I live in Cali and have been making Prop 8 calls myself, have had my Prop 8 sign stollen, been cout off on the freeway with my kids in the car because of my Prop 8 bumper sticker, etc. What a great article! Tell your parents they are AWESOME!!!!!
ReplyDeleteyou are so popular Jeanine
ReplyDeleteThis is FABULOUS! Thanks, Mom Fisher!! And thanks Jeanine for posting!!
ReplyDeleteThis is good. And I agree...Nate's family has seen a lot of the same thing, and I have read about it over and over again myself.
ReplyDeleteOn the note of tolerance, Nate's sister-in-law sent us an email with this quote by Pres. Boyd K. Packer from the BYU Women's Conference on May 5, 2006:
"The virtue of tolerance has been distorted and elevated to a position of such prominence as be thought equal to and even valued more than morality. It is one thing to be tolerant, even forgiving of individual conduct. It is quite another to collectively legislate and legalize to protect immoral conduct that can weaken, even destroy the family."
"There is a dangerous trap when tolerance is exaggerated to protect the rights of those whose conduct endangers the family and injures the rights of the more part of the people. We are getting dangerously close to the condition described by the prophet Mosiah, who warned:"
"Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people."
"And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land." (Mosiah 29:26-27)
"Tolerance can be a dangerous trap."
Wow that's a pretty amazing article. I am glad your parents had the courage and wisdom to write such true and powerful words. Hopefully thanks to them, people have been influenced for good. Thank your parents for me.
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed with your parents for not only taking a stand and writing something but submitting it to be published as well. It will be interesting to see what happens on Tuesday. Hopefully good will prevail or I worry about the future for our children.
ReplyDeleteDon't support companies that don't support traditional marriage. McDonald's, Apple and Google all supported the opposition to prop 8. So stop eating happy meals, ditch your iPod and don't search with google, use gmail or blogger which is owned by google.
ReplyDeleteEven though we believe in a non-traditional marriage of one man and one, or more, women, we need to send a message to these fat cats that aren't tolerant of us. Delete your blog, follow the prophet and support traditional marriage.