Proposition 8

While we are geographically removed from California, we have been closely following the news on Proposition 8, a proposed amendment that will, if passed, amend the California constitution. This amendment, which will say, "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California," will be known as the California Marriage Protection Act. For more information, check out the Web site of NASW-CA.

We stand with citizen activists and our colleagues in the California social work community who decry the potential loss of a fundamental right of gay and lesbian couples. Many of these couples have longstanding, committed relationships that will not end if Proposition 8 goes through, as many anti same-sex marriage supporters seem to believe.

The hurtful anti-same sex marriage campaign is a step backwards for California residents, especially coming on the heels of the Connecticut Supreme Court’s October 10 decision to legalize same-sex marriage. Connecticut's action is the direction we need to go as a nation, and we should persuade New Jersey to take a page from Connecticut - and Massachusetts - and join the East Coast progression of positive change for gay and lesbian couples.

Your thoughts?