Yes on Prop. 8: protect malefemale marriage

What's a marriage? Until a few years ago, there wasn't any question: It's a man and a woman joined in a civil or religious ceremony recognized by the state. It's always been that way. Opponents of Prop. 8 want to have it be something different.

Why? What's in a label? The only argument I've heard is that "loving couples should be able to marry." Why? I'd like to fly an airplane but I don't meet the qualifications. Let's leave marriage as it's always been.

Gay and lesbian couples can have any ceremony they want and register as domestic partners. They can have the same legal rights as married couples. Let them creatively call their unions what they want, but leave marriage as a word and as an institution alone. Tom Ellsworth Agoura Hills

Proposition 8 is not an anti-gay campaign and does not promote intolerance. If the proposition passes, same-sex couples will still have the same legal rights as traditional couples, as already required by law. The proposition does, however, deal with several broader issues.

Should elementary children really be required to learn about same-sex relationships? Since the California Education Code mandates that children be instructed about marriage, if Proposition 8 fails, children as young as kindergarten age will be taught that marriage is a relationship between any two adults.

This type of instruction already occurs in Massachusetts's public schools where same-sex marriage is legal, and parents there are not given the choice to opt out or even be notified prior to the instruction of their children.

Should churches be required to perform same-sex marriages when it is against their religious doctrine? In New Jersey, a Methodist church lost its tax-exempt status for refusing to host a same-sex marriage on church property.

Should religious adoption agencies be forced to place children in a home with gay parents? Catholic Charities in Massachusetts, which had offered adoption services there since 1903, closed down rather than face state mandated adoption to same-sex couples.

I will vote yes on Proposition 8 and encourage you to do the same. Scott Williams Agoura Hills

Frankly, I'm more than a little tired of being called hateful, homophobic and intolerant because I support a yes vote on Proposition 8. This proposition states that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid in the state of California."

Similar wording was passed in 2000 by 61 percent of California's voters only to be wrongly overturned by four judges in a split decision in the court of appeals.

California law already states that "domestic partners shall have the same rights, protections and benefits" as married spouses. Prop 8 does not change that and gay and lesbian couples will have no rights taken away if it passes.

What is really at stake here is an attack on religious institutions and the traditional family and the state's ability to interfere with our freedom to teach our children the values we choose.

In Massachusetts, where gay marriage is already law, the negative fallout of this policy has already begun. Catholic Charities has stopped placing children for adoption because it was sued for not placing children with gay couples, which is against its core religious views.

If you don't think California will follow Massachusetts, then you have your head in the sand.

This battle is less about tolerance for gays and more about promoting an aggressive social agenda that will harm families and society in the long run.

I have gay family members. I have employed gays and I have friends that are gay. I resent being labeled as hateful when I am only expressing my views on a matter of great importance to my family and my community. Spencer Mackay Agoura Hills

It's rare when opposing presidential candidates agree on an issue, but that's the case with Proposition 8. All four candidates have stated publicly that they do not support redefining marriage.

Fortyfour states have amendments or laws that say marriage is only between a man and a woman. Four states have no law on the matter and in three states, including California, activist judges ruled that homosexual marriage is legal.

There's much more to this issue than is apparent at first glance. Please take the time to look at both sides. I hope you'll vote to join with the majority of Americans by voting to restore traditional marriage in California. Yes on Prop 8. Teresa Sanofsky Agoura Hills

Throughout the ages and across all societies, until recently, marriage has been defined as being between a man and a woman. Governments and societies have sanctioned this union primarily because it is within this framework that children are created and societies are successfully perpetuated. Within a family unit consisting of a married father and mother, a child is granted the right to be raised by both parents who created that child and who have legal and social obligations to the child.

Children who are brought into a home with same-gender parents are denied the basic rights of being raised by and having as role models both of the parents who created them. Certainly we see many situations in society where children are not being raised by both of their biological parents. Many of these are very successful. However, that is not a sufficient reason to discontinue sanctioning the ideal situation for children, a home with both a mother and a father who are married to each other.

That is why we are supporting Proposition 8 on the November ballot. Marriage is more than a commitment between two people. It defines the obligations and responsibilities of parenthood. Proposition 8 restores the timehonored definition of marriage between a man and a woman and preserves for children the right to be born into a family with both the mother and the father who created them and who will continue to nurture and be responsible for them. John and Brenda Moffat Agoura Hills

In 2008, four California Supreme Court judges imposed their beliefs over the democratic will over more than four million voters who passed Prop. 22 in 2000.

Voting a resounding yes on Prop. 8 would protect all our democratic rights and the belief that others, even judges, not be allowed to be imposed their will of the popular vote.

Forty-four states now have a state law or constitutional amendment, like your yes vote will create, to define marriage as being only between a man and a woman.

Prop. 8 will not affect the current rights of same-sex civil unions. And while I agree that traditional marriages will not be impaired by voting no, I emphatically assert that our families will be harmed.

Prop. 8 will affect many freedoms this nation is founded on. Voting no on Prop 8 will require individual teachers, schools and districts to teach that there is no difference between same-sex marriage and heterosexual marriage. It's the law, not just my opinion.

I have no greater freedom, duty and responsibility than to teach my children the values and morals I feel are proper. Millions have fought and died for this freedom. I will not surrender the freedom to raise and teach my children as I believe. I cannot. You cannot.

Join the rest of us and vote yes on Prop. 8. Martin Onken Agoura Hills

I am writing in response to no on Prop. 8 stating that same-sex marriage will not affect the rights of others. I have no problem allowing same-sex couples to have the same rights when it does not infringe on others.

Although I can empathize with them, the purpose for marriage goes much further than affection between two people. Marriage is about families, about children, and creating a home environment conducive to raising a physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy individual.

Adoption agencies who believe that traditional marriage is the best environment for a child are now being forced to adapt to same-sex couples. In 2006, Catholic Charities closed their adoption agency in Massachusetts. A lawsuit is forcing another adoption agency in Arizona to stop adoptions in California. This is an infringement on their religious liberties.

I had the privilege of being raised by a mother and father who loved each other and were committed to their family. A woman could never have replaced my father's role, and no man could have replaced my mother's. I feel very strongly that every child has a right to both a father and a mother.

Parenting is demanding and society has the obligation to find the best placement for children needing adoption.

This is just one of the many reasons why I believe a yes vote on Prop 8 is necessary to protect the rights of children and religious liberties. Shauna Longstaff Agoura Hills

As a young mother of two at the age of 27, I have always been proud that I was raised in a generation of political correctness and equality for all. I have loved and worked with others from all different races, religions and sexual orientations.

My decision to vote yes on Prop. 8 has not been an easy one. I don't want to offend or alienate friends, co-workers and neighbors, but I do need to stand for what I believe in and that is the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman. Cassaundra Hull Agoura