Letter to Schwarzenegger

If you haven’t heard, there has been a huge backlash since the vote on Proposition 8 passed. Not only has the public display been noisy, but our family has seen problems even at the elementary school. My eight year old daughter was called a nasty name by an upper grader when they heard her talking about the proposition with a friend.  I was disappointed when I saw the comments made by our governor.  So I wrote and sent a letter to both him and the first lady. If you’d like to join me, you can send a letter as well. Here is a copy of mine:

Dear Governor and First Lady-

I have always respected and been impressed with you as parents. I have especially felt a connection as a mother as I have read Maria’s written words and seen her interviews. I am writing to you as a concerned parent regarding Proposition 8.

As I’m sure you know, things have become ugly since the vote. I have seen personal attacks on my character and religion as a member of the LDS (Mormon) church. Every church has the right to encourage their congregation to vote and contribute on moral issues. In no way did we hijack the election, or influence free thinking people to vote any way other than their own conscience.

My young children in elementary school have been verbally attacked by older students who know that our family was in support of the Yes on 8 campaign. I know that friends of mine with high school students have seen even worse with their children. As an adult, I can understand and tolerate the abuse, but I plead with you as a parent to calm the No voting residents of California. They look to you for guidance and leadership and recent statements made by the Governor have only fueled the protesters and made them feel more justified in their intolerant, name calling, and disruptive behavior.

I hope you will consider that the majority of the state voted on this issue and that in spite of the fact that the No Campaign had more money overall, more money from out of state donations, celebrity endorsements etc., the voters still passed Proposition 8. Regardless of your personal feelings on the issue, I hope that you will look at this from a legal perspective and realize that in a democracy, this is completely valid. Please urge those who are disappointed in the results to write another proposition or use the proper means of getting their point across.

As a side note, I personally believe that if the No Campaign can show the good that homosexual couples can do as parents, instead of focusing on individual rights they will have more success in convincing the people of California that gay marriage is a good idea. So far we have seen their focus on individuals, when marriage is not about individuals, but about a couple coming together to make a family. Since these recent protests, I feel even more strongly that the gay community and the No voters are not interested in successful families or children, and they will have little chance of convincing me otherwise while they behave as they currently do.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Amy *****

*****, CA

8 Comments

  1. Stephanie
    Nov 12, 2008

    Well said, well said. I am continually impressed with your writing ability and especially at your ability to get important messages out in a calm, yet bold way. You are awesome. Maybe you should run for office…:)

    I really, really hope that he reads that. This whole thing has just gotten completely out of control. It’s sickening.

  2. Tami
    Nov 12, 2008

    Great job Amy. I emailed the governor yesterday and hope that many others are doing the same. You’ve done an outstanding job on your blog relating to prop 8. Thanks for your courageous example.

  3. Chris
    Nov 12, 2008

    I’m proud of you, Sis.

  4. Erica
    Nov 12, 2008

    You go girl! Way to stand up for your family and what you know to be right. Remember when we were little and Mom would get fired up about something and say, “I am going to write a letter”…looks like you’re there. 🙂

  5. Amy
    Nov 12, 2008

    Thanks for the nice comments everyone! Steph, I don’t think I’ll ever be a politician since I don’t think fast on my feet at all.
    Erica, I bet there is a tear in her eye right now. I know it’s a bit ironic now that I’m writing the letters. Luckily my kids aren’t old enough to roll their eyes at me yet.

  6. heather
    Nov 12, 2008

    Your letter is incredibly well written Amy. I too am amazed at the far reaching ignorance and hateful outburts this has caused. The last few days here have seen numerous LDS churches vandalized by angry people taking their frustrations out on a building. It’s just not right, and I am amazed at how many people are howling about their rights and such. What about the right to vote? Isn’t that what was exercised to get the proposistion to pass?

  7. Jenny
    Nov 13, 2008

    VERY well said.

  8. Kirsten
    Nov 17, 2008

    Way to go Amy!