A Letter From a Concerned Citizen in Napa, CA.

I am concerned.

Tuesday I was in San Francisco. Friday I was in Berkeley. Saturday I was in Healdsburg. Driving through these various cities -granted, they're all generally liberal - I didn't see one 'Vote Yes on Prop 8' sign. Yet each time I returned home, I was routinely greeted with a barrage of what seems to be an ever-growing collection of those - I call bigoted signs - speckled through Napa.

I have lived in Napa the majority of my life, save for college, and while I have known that it was home to many of the more conservative persuasion, I am shocked to see such an anti-gay sentiment in my hometown. In fact, I was prompted to write this article because I overheard a woman passionately explaining to her friend recently, as we all stooped over slashed prices in the isles of the newly bankrupt Mervyns', "Don't they know, they are ruining marriage for us all?"

They don't know, because it's not true. I'd like to take this moment to remind everyone that the California Supreme Court ruled a ban on gay marriage as unconstitutional. Let's just pause for a moment. Unconstitutional. This isn't an opportunity for voters to vote for or against gay marriage, that decision has been made by our Supreme Court - the highest court in California. This is an opportunity to change the California Constitution so that the California Supreme Court's ruling is not valid.

Think about that for a minute.

Does this concern anyone else but me? Many have fought long and hard to achieve equal rights in marriage, and because of fear we are willing to create a society of privilege? For all of you out there that don't condone gay marriage, I want you to keep your beliefs. I want you to have the freedom to feel the way you do according to your religion. In fact, if your church doesn't want to have gay marriage ceremonies, I want your church to have the right to say no. Considering that there is a Separation of Church and State, that only seems fair, since this is a Civil issue.

I want gay people to be able to get married in a Civil Court and have the legal rights they deserve. I want gay people to have equal protection under the law. I want gay people to be able to have marriages in the Churches they attend, because there are many Churches out there that support gay marriage. I want gay people to have marriages where ever - in places that are special to them, like people do. Because, gay people are people too.

I have come to the conclusion that anyone who votes 'Yes on prop 8' is a bigot. I chose this word carefully because I think it is most appropriate. Merraim-Webster's Online Dictionary defines a bigot as : a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices ; especially one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance. I was raised that being a bigot was a bad thing.

I wish this issue was merely about bigotry, but it is about much more. It is about our Civil Liberties, that is, if we still have any, or care to have any. I took the time to write this letter because it saddens my heart each day I drive through Napa and see that people have let their personal beliefs trump their belief in Civil Liberties.

I do not believe that gay marriage infringes on a person's right to express their personal beliefs, but I do believe that banning gay marriage infringes Civil Liberties of MANY Americans. If you aren't already voting NO on Prop 8, I hope this gives you some insight into the importance of denying this bill. Or if you know someone who is on the fence, please share my message.

Thank you,

A Concerned Citizen
Napa, California