I'm a bit under the weather, hence no blog posts for a few days. I'm not quite 100% yet so I thought I'd take this opportunity to share, with the author's permission, an open email about Prop 8. The letter says it all, much better than I ever have. Many thanks to the letter's author, Jeffrey Bryan.
From: Jeffrey Bryan
Sent: Monday, October 20, 2008 4:00 PM
Subject: Today is My Birthday
I was born October 20th, 1977 in the far recesses of the Inland Empire (I admit it, I'm not technically an Orange County native). We did move before I turned a year old though, if that counts.
As a child, I was always involved in the community somehow. I had a short stint in the Boy Scouts (and also in the Girl Scouts - long story). I was president of the Lake Forest 4H Club, and Vice President of my High School's Environmental Action Group. If that's not geeky enough I was a Mathlete and in the Academic Decathlon.
Through theatre, I performed with dozens of groups across Orange County - and through the Children's Mime Experience I was part of the opening ceremonies for Lake Mission Viejo and many other carnivals, festivals, and private parties.
My first job was at Togo's in Lake Forest, and I've also done my time at Disney, PETCO, and FreeCreditReport.com. My first "real job" was at AppleOne Employment in Santa Ana helping people find jobs to support their families - an experience that will never leave me.
For the last three years I've donated a week of my life to AIDS LifeCycle - a charity event to raise funds to fight AIDS in San Francisco and Los Angeles. I personally have raised several thousand dollars, and the event has raised almost $30,000,000 in those three years.
But like I said, it's my birthday. And this year, I only want one thing for my birthday. For the past 31 years I've given to California. I've supported the community, paid my taxes, and been the best citizen I could be. In November, there is a Proposition to amend our state constitution to prohibit marriages between members of the same sex. I want to get married one day. I want to have a big amazing wedding and invite all of you to help me celebrate the love that you all keep telling me I deserve. If Prop 8 passes, that will never happen.
The people supporting Prop 8 have told a lot of lies trying to convince you this change to the constitution is needed. They said it will legally require schools to teach kids about gay marriage (not true, the state law says that all changes to curriculum must be independently reviewed and approved by a committee of teachers, administrators, and parents). They have said that your taxes will go to support gay marriage (not true, having gay marriages HELPS the economy and no taxes are required to support them). They have said that gay couples will force churches to marry them (not true, this law has nothing to do with church rights).
This isn't a political issue, or a "social agenda". This is personal. This is my life. These are my rights. For my birthday, please vote no on Prop 8. And if you're feeling particularly generous, please donate to the cause.
http://www.noonprop8.com
Your Friend and Neighbor,
Jeffrey Mahacek
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