I don't care how you voted if you're a Californian but I am going to say this, and this is my opinion so if you're offended you can post a journal saying you support proposition 8 as well. I don't care as I am for rights.

But IMO proposition 8 sucks as I feel it is just plain wrong to ban gay marriage.

If the reason is religious let me ask you this: according to certain Christian interpretations, Eve was the sinner and therefore many believed women all should be subservient to man. In some interpretations, she was Adam's property. Her role was to be at his side and his calling. If we want to take a very liberal definition we can say that this is the definition of marriage as well.

I feel that if we want to follow the bible accurately (under this interpretation) then it would mean we would follow it to the extent that men and women are NOT equal. That women would serve man regardless of what women feel as we were the "original sinners" and that faithful good woman would be able to be at her man's side when he need her. Now I don't care who you are, I am definitely for women's equality and rights and oppose such a definition of marriage even if this was found to be god's original intention.

But on that note, many christians take the stance that men and women are equal by proving these earlier interpretations false and therefore not the interpretation of god. If this is true, I must ask again, how do you know? And why can marriage itself not be redefined? Already they are interpreting the bible in a very different manner from what earlier Christians believed in. Why can they not see that this proposition 8 is not that far fetched from chauvinism? Why must they interpret it one way and be so ... dare I say, selfish?

So if opponents of same sex marriage have already interpreted the bible in their own way then why can't we?

Marriage is not only for christians but is an actual process in which two people must undergo in order to confirm their bonds and start a family.

Name me ANY other process that is similar to marriage that will allow the same benefits as marriage? Right now there is none.

I am angry enough that I feel if they opted for a ban on gay marriage and that they must enter a civil union (or whatever the hell that's called) well i'll get one too. People need to get married not simply for religious reasons but sentimental and economic as well.

This country has a mixed president now (YES!) and it's high time we stop segregating our people. What do we need to do? Get special buses for gays now?

I support gay rights and I think people should look deeper at why they are supporting proposition 8. It's because of the fear of the unknown.

Another but RELATED thought, is race. And on an aside, this is for those supporters of prop 8 who have read far enough to understand I am not about hating religion or beliefs.

I have to be honest and say that I have met and interacted with African Americans who fit the stereotype. One stole from me, and the other tried to get in bed with me. I therefore have these and other personal reasons to believe the stereotypes are true, BUT I feel this is an even greater reason WHY we should have people like Obama on stand. I wasn't crazy about him initially as I really wanted to campaign for Hillary since the statements he made about her felt personal. But I am putting that aside based on her actions and based on his restructured yet solidified beliefs since then. Not to mention the need for a president who happened to be african american and be an inspiration to those who no longer have hope.

We've all matured from the process and I feel that I've also matured from fear and also believe that people CAN improve. If you feel you're stuck with a stereotype now's not the time to be loud and proud, but now is the time to change. Change yourself and if you cannot change others to see your change, go with those who believe and see it.

I felt very sorry for african americans who feel they ARE the stereotype. But now, you don't have to be that way and now is the time people should no longer care about color, race, or sexual orientation.

Therefore, supporters of prop 8, if those who fear other races can look beyond it you can look beyond sexual orientation.