By Wendy Jaffe, Esq.
According to an article in today's Wall Street Journal, California's Proposition 8, which would amend California's constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage, is gaining ground. The proposition was written in response to the California Supreme Court's split decision in May holding that California's ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional.
When the proposition was first introduced, polls showed that the Proposition was headed for defeat. So what changed? Have California's mainly Democratic voters suddenly become conservative?
As a California resident, I can tell you what has changed.
Pro prop 8 groups recently began running very effective commercials promising that if Proposition 8 fails and gay marriage stays the law of the land, that we can all expect our children to be taught in school that homosexual marriage is a wonderful alternative to heterosexual marriage. Teachers would presumably read their classes books where Prince Henry and Prince Joe marry and live happily ever after.
So while many Californian's believe that gays should be allowed to marry, they don't believe that teachers should teach students that gay marriage is a terrific alternative to heterosexual marriage.
Ready for some irony? Journalists who have looked at the issue don't believe that if Proposition 8 fails that same sex marriage would ever be "taught" in school, but one of the major donors against to the defeat Proposition 8 is California's teacher union!
So what gives?
Just dropped by fr the first time. Your blog is such a great idea. As a clinical psychologist I work closely with divorce attorneys and we share sooo much in our experiences. I hope you write more!
Posted by: dr aletta | January 14, 2009 at 06:45 AM