Vote 'No' on Proposition 2

Dear letters to the editor,
    On Nov. 8 of this year Texans will vote on Proposition 2 to amend the Texas Constitution to read, “Marriage in this state consists only of the union of one man and one woman” and prohibit the “state from creating or recognizing any legal status identical or similar to marriage” for any other citizens. Voters of Texas – same-sex marriage is already illegal in this state! What possible purpose does this amendment serve other than blatant, double discrimination? In one day approximately 3% to 10% of the Texas population (more?), anywhere from 663,555 to 2,211,850 Texas gay and lesbian citizens (2003 U.S. census figures) will permanently be denied the right to ever “legally” substantiate their relationships in precisely the same legitimate way as all heterosexual Texans are afforded. All unmarried Texan couples (gay and straight) and nontraditional families will be affected via loss of equitable treatment through housing, employment benefits, health care, bereavement leave, hospital-visitation rights, protection from domestic violence, and at least a thousand other legal encroachments to basic fairness and justice. Why indeed should gay and lesbian Texans and unmarried straight couples continue to pay school and property taxes in order to be legally sanctioned as “second class” citizens? Massachusetts passed gay marriage and the earth did not open. Both houses of the California Legislature passed gay marriage and Schwarzenegger was not struck blind (yet). California; Vermont; Connecticut; Washington, D.C.; New Jersey; and Hawaii have all recognized civil unions and as far as I know those residents have not been turned into pillars of salt. Wouldn't it be something if just this once Texas took a dynamic lead on Nov. 8 and showed the rest of the country we're not all marching in lockstep with the religious right.