Debating California's Prop 8

California Prop 8 seeks to add a new constitutional ammendment to the California Constitution that will say "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California" and it will be known in law as the California Marriage Protection Act.

This is a subject I find myself divided on.

There's the part of me that says, yeah, there's no problem with homosexuality, they are born that way and they should not be discriminated against under the law because of it. We allow heterosexual couples to marry, we allow interracial marriages, why then shouldn't we allow homosexual couples to marry?

Then there's the part of me that just feels like, by allowing gay marriage you are condoning the practice of homosexuality. Especially difficult for me is that children will be exposed to the idea that a boy can marry a boy or a girl can marry a girl, and that's okay. I personally don't want the power of suggestion to overpower natural instincts in my children. If my children turn out to be gay on their own, the so be it, I won't love them any different.

It's not that gay marriage will be taught in schools or religious settings, because it won't. But in the eyes of the law if a child happens to innocently ask "Can a princess marry a princess?" The teacher will be required to answer yes, because that's the way it is. Thereby inducing the power of suggestion that homosexuality should be an acceptable practice for otherwise heterosexual individuals.

Then there's the part of me that really feels that this is all really a non-issue. If you are gay, be gay. What you or I or anyone else does behind closed doors is their business. Which is why I can't stand the "Gay Pride" events and parades. If we had "Straight Pride" events and parades there would be accusations of bigotry and discrimination. But if you're gay and you meet someone else that is gay, and they make you happy the way nobody else can, then sure go ahead and be together and be happy. I just don't like having it waved in my face. Just like I don't like Mormons or Jehovah's Witnesses who come to my door to extol the virtues of their religion and why everyone else is wrong.

Discrimination on the basis of race, gender, or sexual orientation is already illegal. Given that Prop 8 would ingrain discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation into the constitution, then I know that Prop 8 is wrong. How can you put something illegal into the constitution? It's nonsensical to do so. So if I could vote on it I would vote NO on Prop 8, even if I don't feel right about the whole gay marriage issue.

I think, however, that something needs to be mandated about how to broach the idea of homosexuality to youth. Children in elementary school certainly do not need to be educated about sexual orientations, they are not sexual beings (for the most part). I believe that children should be taught age appropriate sexual education. Ergo, young children are taught about inappropriate touching and such, while children around the age of 10 are taught (with parental permission) about their bodies and the changes they will experience through puberty. Once into middle school a dialogue about sex and the dangers, costs, and consequences which can arise from risky behaviour.

I would support an initiative that delays the introduction of the concepts of sexual orientation to middle or high school. This is when children are coming of age and are experiencing questions about sex and sexual orientation and when it should be taught that homosexuality is okay. That homosexuals are born that way and that it is not a matter of choice or preference. At this point they will already have leanings one way or the other and the weight of suggestion becomes lessened. Once into 9th or 10th grade the concept of sexual orientations and acceptance of both homo and heterosexuality should be introduced, because these are the kids who get beat up at school for being gay. This sort of approach would also lead to a decrease in discrimination and acts of violence against homosexuals.

My head says that homosexuality is wrong, naturally a male and a female come together in the goal of creating offspring. Until recently males and females of the human variety mated for life. Hence marriage. My head also says that homosexuality is natural, being nature instead of nurture (in most cases). My heart also tells me that there is nothing wrong with homosexuality. and that it is wrong to discriminate based on the fact someone is or is not gay. Given that, the State should recognize homosexual marriages, beyond that it should be up to everyone else personally to decide whether to accept it or not on their own moral grounds.

However you feel about gay marriage, Prop 8 is wrong. Vote No on 8.