While anti-Prop 8 lawsuits wrangle their way through court to determine if Prop 8 is valid--in light of the CA Supreme Court's ruling that people have a fundamental 'right to marry' the person of their choice and that gender restrictions violate the state Constitution's equal protection guarantee--I want to start getting prepared to fight fire with fire in 2010.
You see, many Mormon institutions were the driving force behind Prop 8. And yes, while for one Mormon it was true that:
...despite her religious leaders' support of a ballot measure banning same-sex marriage, she was actively opposed.
...I'm sure at least one non-heterosexual will feel the same way about what I now propose: taking away the "fundamental right" of Mormons to vote marry, as protected by the state Constitution's equal protection guarantee.
No, this is not snark. I honestly want to see this proposition on the California ballot in 2010.
If it so happens that the courts do not legitimize Prop 8 (by ruling that it is unconstitutional vis a vis CA Supreme Court's prior ruling on gay marriage), there is no problem. The proposition I now propose will be null and void, as it will be nearly identical in language to Prop 8. Whereas Prop 8 read:
Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry
The proposition I suggest should read:
Eliminates Right of Mormons to Vote Marry
If however the courts do legitimize Prop 8 by ruling that it is constitutional and does not violate the CA Supreme Court's prior ruling on gay marriage, then Mormons' right to vote will be in voters' hands.
Why am I picking on Mormons, you may ask... and I shall answer.
From the article I linked to previously:
The Yes on 8 campaign estimates that up to 40 percent of its donations come from Mormons. Some others estimate that Mormons account for over 70 percent of donations from individuals.
All of California's Catholic bishops have all come out in favor of the measure. So have many evangelical Christians and Orthodox Jews. Yet it is Mormons, who account for 2 percent of the state population, who are catching the most heat.
Emphasis mine.
Mormons are a minority in California, and with Prop 8, many of them championed taking away the fundamental right of a minority in California by leveraging the tyranny of the majority. It is only fair that the tables are turned.
If you think this is ridiculous, re-read the quotes above, side-by-side:
Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry
Eliminates Right of Mormons to Vote Marry
Is the second act of discrimination more blatant to you? Do you think a majority of voters would vote "Yes" to the second?
Update: Based on some astute commenters, I changed instances of "vote" to "marry." The title originally read "Re: Prop 8. Take Away Mormon "Right" to Vote!" but some pointed out that is protected under the US Constitution, not the California constitution, so that, uh, wouldn't work... but someone remind me why gender protections aren't present in the US Constitution...!?