No on Prop 8: Stand Together

Another appeal for calm in an email tonight from the No On Prop 8 Campaign, speaking with the voice of reason (emphasis mine):

This has been an incredibly difficult week for Californians who are disappointed in the passage of Proposition 8, which takes away the right to marry for same-sex couples in our state. We feel a profound sense of disappointment in this defeat, but know that in order to move forward we must continue to stand together as one community in order to secure full equality in California.

In working to defeat Prop 8, a profound coalition banded together to fight for equality. Faith leaders, labor, teachers, civil rights leaders and communities of color, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents, public officials, local school boards and city councils, parents, corporate law firms and bar associations, businesses, and people from all walks of life joined together to stand up against discrimination. We must build on this coalition in order to achieve equal rights for all Californians.

We achieve nothing if we isolate the people who did not stand with us in this fight. We only further divide our state if we attempt to blame people of faith, African American voters, rural communities and others for this loss. We know people of all faiths, races and backgrounds stand with us in our fight to end discrimination, and will continue to do so. Now more than ever it is critical that we work together and respect our differences that make us a diverse and unique society. Only with that understanding will we achieve justice and equality for all.

What I say: Leave individuals alone. Don't ridicule people's faith or color or ethnicity. But if churches and other organizations are going to get into the political arena, they as organizations are as open to criticism and accountability as anyone. Especially when they are working night and day to deny fundamental human rights to American citizens.

So make a noise, raise a stink, stop traffic - peacefully - call attention to the real issues and the real injustice that's been done to millions of gay families and individuals. Get people's attention - and the media's. There's more work and better than that to do; but it's a start.