LOVE LETTERS TO RON PRENTICE.

I was so depressed about Proposition 8 passing that I couldn't even go to work today. I wondered, who are the people responsible for Proposition 8? I mean, besides crazy old Mormons. After some google research I discovered that one of the big wigs is Ron Prentice, CEO of California Family Council and Chair of ProtectMarriage.com.

I wondered how a person could be so cruel. Here I was, taking a day off from work to grieve because of something a stranger did on a different coast. Then I thought, maybe Mr. Prentice doesn't like the gays because they aren't in his life. Their very real pain doesn't effect him.

That's when I decided to be his pen pal. I'll be sending this letter tomorrow.

I plan to write Ronnie consistently until he becomes comfortable with me as a citizen deserving of equal rights and protections of the country I was born into and continue to help shape. I would encourage you to do the same. He can be reached (I think, though there's also a Northern California office) here:

California Family Council
P.O. Box 20012
Riverside, CA 92516
Attn: Ron Prentice

Also, please write to the "yes on 8" people and tell them how you feel.

Clicky clicky.

And also to the Mormons.

Clicky clicky.

P.S. This stationary comes with matching envelopes. It is gorgeous.

Comments

[spencer]

Here's what I sent the Mormons, a variation of which I also sent to the Yes-Prop-8 campaign:

Shame on all of you.

By funding California's Proposition 8 campaign, you've done nothing to "restore marriage" or "protect children". You've taken a chance at happiness and equality away from countless people, who, no matter what laws you pass, aren't going to just disappear. And weren't your enemy, no matter what you might have thought. So you're stuck with your gay and lesbian neighbors, even though you've declared war on them. If same-sex marriage was so awful to you, I hope that you find no peace, that you find your sleep troubled, that your own families suffer knowing that there are thousands of same-sex spouses in California whose marriages will not be forcibly annulled by the Government. Marinate in that small failure. Some of us got through the window of the wall of bigotry, despite your best efforts, and we're not going to give up until each brick of that wall is diminished to dust. Justice and love are on our side. All you have are hate, intolerance, and fear on your side, and in the end, they will consume you, and you will deserve it. One would hope that an embattled minority group that faces irrational misconceptions about itself, like the Mormon church, would have a little sympathy other groups in the same situation. Too often, though, hope is misplaced.

[sarah]

There was a picture online of the Prop 8 supporters victory party in Irvine that featured a man, literally, jumping for joy. Jumping for joy. Now, all latent homo thoughts aside, I must say that it breaks my heart to think that any person would jump for joy over limiting someone else's civil rights. But love and tolerance are on our side, so kudos to you Josh for reaching across party lines!

[Robbie]

Why don't we just demand something exactly LIKE marriage, just call it something else? Let them keep their stupid f-ing holy sanctimonious bs.

[TK]

"Why don't we just demand something exactly LIKE marriage, just call it something else? Let them keep their stupid f-ing holy sanctimonious bs. "

Forgive my presumption here, but that's exactly what I wouldn't want. By doing so, you're conceding them their belief that gay folks are somehow different. You may get the union you wish, at the sacrifice of the battle of principles. It would appear, to me at least, to be "Separate but Equal" all over again.

[geo]

because history has already proven separate but equal doesn't work. and that would also continue to allow those who do not support marriage equality to feel superior

[News]

RON PRENTICE NAMED TO UNSEXIEST MEN OF THE YEAR BY THEPHOENIX.COM

http://unsexy.thephoenix.com/unsexy/2009/