Post-Election Prop 8 Message
I don’t know what’s most helpful to say right now.
To be honest, I was so excited about the results of the national elections that the outcome of Prop 8 didn’t register with me until today. I’m pretty sure I’m still in denial and I’m also incredibly confused about what happened—I just don’t understand.
I would like to say to all of you that I’m very sorry that Prop 8 passed. I imagine that many of you are shocked and sad and frustrated at being confronted with another roadblock, another delay, another affirmation of discrimination.
I know I’m stunned. And sad.
And I’m watching. All of you (most of you not from California) have pieces of paper in hand that acknowledge your marriage. I KNOW BEYOND ALL DOUBT THAT MARRIAGE EQUALITY WILL WIN OUT. I know this. I’m sorry it wasn’t now. One of the Sara’s (listed above) wrote me on election day:
“the good news that the Social Security office just sent me notice that they WILL be honoring the marriage license and will change my name!”
I find this encouraging, because this is a use of a legal document with an established bureaucracy to enjoy one of the almost 1200 legal rights/privileges that are afforded to legally married couples. Right now, you and your marriage licenses are legal soup. I encourage you to use them as much as you can!!
Mayor Newsom will continue to issue marriage licenses for same-sex couples in San Francisco until the city is sued over it and I will continue to marry gay and lesbian couples who seek my services.
This will get worked out through the courts or through human dialogue or through over-burdened bureaucracies/legal systems. Don’t lose hope!
I hope I don’t sound cavalier in asking you not to lose hope—I didn’t just marry a woman only to have the state where my license is held pass a proposition that no longer honors it.
I invite all of you to renew your vows with me (free of charge, of course) when this finally gets worked out. For those of you who have already had two union ceremonies, a civil wedding and your ceremony with me, I understand if you’re married-out. Among you are some of the most married people I know (in quantity as well as quality)…
Love and peace,
Sheila
