On Tuesday there will be a California constitutional amendment on the ballot that would take away the existing right of same-sex couples to marry. It is Proposition 8.  Chris and I are sending out this email to ask your help to defeat this attack on thousands of families like ours.

We want the same things for our family that you do for yours – the safety, support, and even the responsibilities that come with our government recognizing our family as it does any other. Chris and I are not redefining traditional marriage. We're just taking part in the tradition of marriage. We took the same wedding vows as heterosexual couples to love and care for each other in good times and bad, for better or worse, until death do us part.

On Oct 31st Chris and I were married. For the past 5 years we have built a life together and in 2007 we welcomed our beautiful son, Hayden, into the world. Yes, we were already registered as domestic partners, but domestic partnership is not equal to marriage. Domestic partnerships are not recognized outside of California . 

Imagine if you and your spouse travelled to another state or country and the moment you crossed the border the life you built together suddenly meant nothing in the eyes of the law where you were travelling. You could be kept apart in medical emergencies. Your children could be taken from you or your spouse by the courts.  If your spouse dies, his/her family could come in and take everything that you have built together, since the law recognizes "family" over "just friends" - and "just friends" is all you would be considered under the law. These aren't exaggerations. These are just a few true examples of what same-sex couples have endured over the decades.

Our relationship is recognized at the very least by a few other states (Mass, NY and Conn) as well as Canada and some other countries. In time, this recognition will expand to other jurisdictions. Unlike marriage, which is a universally recognized and honored legal union (albeit currently just for opposite-sex couples), domestic partnerships are specific to whatever state or city enacts them. A domestic partnership in California is not automatically transferable to, say, NJ which has its own domestic partnership laws. This puts the lie to the concept that separate is equal.

For those who fear that same-sex marriage will impede on their faith, keep in mind that both California and Federal law protects your houses of worship. The law does not force your faith to recognize or perform same-sex marriages. 

California law also allows each school and each family to choose how they want to teach their children about marriage. Parents choose what their child learns, not us.

All evidence proves there is no negative impact on society as a result of same-sex marriage. To the contrary, it strengthens society since more of us benefit from the stability of being in legally protected and stabile families.

Thousands of couples have married in California since June. Couples in Massachusetts, Canada and elsewhere have been getting married for several years now.

Have you seen any difference in your life?

If you are a California voter, please vote No on Prop 8. 

If you think this email will help sway support,

please feel free to forward it on to anyone you want. It doesn't matter whether it's a Californian or not.

This is not just a California issue. This is a human rights issue that will be addressed world wide in the years ahead.