gay rights are civil rightsThe fight over marriage equality in California continues as an online blacklist posts personal information on people who donated to support California’s Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriage. Check out the video from CBS 5 in the Bay Area. I have no problem with boycotting businesses that supported Prop 8 and boycotting Utah and the Sundance film festival. The purse is powerful, especially in this economy; however, this “online blacklist” of private citizens crosses the line for me.

As saddened as I am about the passage of the gay marriage bans in California, Arizona, and Florida, I am troubled by “outing” people (and targeting them personally) simply for supporting a cause in a free and democratic society. As a lesbian, I understand all to well the heartbreak these bans cause; however, it is no excuse to target private citizens for participating in a democratic process just because they were against our cause for equality. H8 is H8 regardless where it originates or the circumstances. We are better than this. I would think it would be more productive to create a massive letter writing campaign for these donors that tell our personal stories of love, commitment, and dreams of equality.

The fight for marriage equality isn’t over but it can only be won by changing the hearts and minds of our heterosexual family, friends, neighbors, classmates, and co-workers. Our setbacks only make us stronger. Be loud, be proud, but most importantly lead by example!

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