Thursday, October 23, 2008

8 Against 8 Update

Three days. It took you just three days to meet our goal of raising $8,000 in eight days. That is beyond even our wildest expectations. That's, well, that's just awesome. You guys are awesome. Thank you, thank you, 8,000-times thank you. 8 Against 8 started in the purest sense of a grassroots (or, more accurately, netroots) movement with an inspired email from Grace Chu of Grace the Spot. And now here we are, $8,000 closer to defeating Proposition 8. Gather close, virtual group hug.

But, of course, the fight doesn't end here. Far from it. The “Yes” people are still dangerously ahead in funding, by some reports as much as $40 million to our $25 million. That's an awful lot of scratch, and the agents of intolerance will use it to scratch away at our civil rights. Progress is painful, and we often stumble along the way. But if California lets a right be taken away from one group that it currently grants to all groups, it's not just a step backwards. It will forever be a black stain on our progress toward that more perfect union.

For me, the issue of gay marriage almost isn't really even about marriage. Marriage is an institution I respect, but still feel ambivalent about joining. What gay marriage represents is not just the union of two people until death do them part. Sure, that's the most important part. But it is also an acknowledgment by both society and the government that watches over us that these people's commitment should be respected. That these people's relationship is worthy of protection. That these people's union is real. It's not that gay couples seek to legitimize their relationships; we know we're legitimate. It's that we deserve to have the government see us as equal. Domestic partnerships, while an important baby step, are just another tired retread of the separate but equal argument. Equal is equal. And we won't stop fighting until we really are just that.

CLICK TO DONATEBut, hey, enough speechifying from yours truly. I know several of you are probably all, dude, where are the hot chicks in tank tops? I promise, there will be tank tops. But today, I would ask you to dig deep and give what you can. Check the couch cushions. Raid the laundry fund. Consider which organs are duplicate and therefore unnecessary (I kid, I kid....you can keep that second kidney, I guess). Let's see how much a band of 8 rag-tag bloggers and their thousands of wonderful, insightful, passionate, caring, sexy (too much?) readers can raise in 8 days to fight for what is right. Please, donate whatever you can at www.8against8.com.

And even if the cupboard is bare, you can help spread the word to your family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, the cranky guy who sits next to you on the bus. Join our Facebook page. Read about the fabulous prizes, giveaways and auctions. Also, don't forget, please keep your confirmation email after donating. It could become very handy in the future here at Surrenders. And by “handy,” I mean “you could win cool free stuff.”

Though, most important of all, if you live in California be sure to get out of bed on Nov. 4 and Vote No on Prop. 8. Or, if you live in Florida, Arizona or Connecticut, vote No on Prop. 2, No on Prop. 102 and No on Question 1. And for everyone else, keep up hope. A better, fairer world is possible. We can make it happen.

16 comments:

Butch Boo said...

We feel for you guys and support you 100% of the way

with love from little old England

BB

X

Anonymous said...

"Consider which organs are duplicate and therefore unnecessary" This sentence deserves an award of some sort. Too funny!

Anonymous said...

I'm proud to be able to declare that I voted yesterday and that I voted NO on Amendment 2 in my state of Florida, along with my mother and my neighbor who both went with me and voted as well!
I've been trying to get the word out to my circle of friends and am hoping that I've been able to make even a little bit of an impact in that regards...

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi

jennifer from pittsburgh said...

You ladies are amazing!

reallivegirl said...

Just when the mass monetary support was giving me chills... THAT VIDEO! Wow wow wow, definitely passing that one along-- whew!

Anonymous said...

I blogged about the issue, telling a personal story of how legal recognition might have made a difference in my own life. I linked back to 8Against8. I've asked my friends to send my post around and donate. My readership is small but some people have already donated. Every little bit helps.

Anonymous said...

Thank you!

I just want to add one more issue to the list. Arkansas has Initiated Act 1 coming up on the ballot, which will prohibit unmarried couples of any sort from fostering or adopting children. It's certainly a rights issue, but it's also a major child welfare issue. So please vote NO if you're in AR.

More info (and places to donate):
http://arkansasfamiliesfirst.org/
http://www.artisticrevolution.org/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11&Itemid=27

Anonymous said...

I wanted to donate, but then I heard something about "foreign nationals" not being allowed to contribute. Anyone know if that's the case here?
And that video is fantastic.

Anonymous said...

Great work!

I would love to donate a DVD of "The Best of GoodDykePorn.com" to give for a high donation or however you'd like to use it to raise money.

love,
Bren

Gaëllan said...

Well I do have a question that may make me look stupid but hey! I girls's gotta try and get clever. Why do you have to find money to erase a law proposition?

This question is not pilitical by all means, but being french it just seems really weird to me...

Anonymous said...

That video brought tears to my eyes. I'm about to send out a mass email to all my friends and family in both California and Florida (I live in CA, but am from FL) and have been looking for good videos to link.

As for why we need money to defend the proposition? We need it for advertising so that the Yes on Prop 8 doesn't overwhelm the masses on the airwaves (both TV and radio). We also need volunteers for election day!

Anonymous said...

gaellan:

it's to buy tv advertisements. unfortunately, the people with the most money get to purchase more advertisements. it's as simple as that.

a few months ago, the pro-gay marriage people had a substantial lead. but this past month, the yes on prop 8 people released television insidious ads all over california claiming that gay marriage will be forced on churches and taught to children without parents' consent. both claims are legally impossible - because of the 1st amendment and a california statute, respectively.

then the yes on prop 8 people shot ahead in the polls.

in any event, the people holding the most advertising dollars have the upper hand. it's not fair, but that's the way it is.

- grace chu

sang-froid said...

Have to say, many of your quaint American customs are bewildering to us in Canada. Got married to my girl 3 years and have many more gay-married friends. Single gay gal pal off to USA on Saturday to adopt a little girl. Hard to believe that only 80 years ago Canada was considered the quaint, old-fashioned country clinging to outdated, parochial customs. Rock on.

let me dance said...

wow~ Wow!!
you already reach the point?

good job, Ds!!
thank you for the post, and your
hard work.

Anonymous said...

http://www.apple.com/hotnews/

No on Prop 8
October 24, 2008

Apple is publicly opposing Proposition 8 and making a donation of $100,000 to the No on 8 campaign. Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees’ same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person’s fundamental rights — including the right to marry — should not be affected by their sexual orientation. Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8.

Anonymous said...

i'm def a NO on 8! already sent my ballot in!

-sarah