Spinner

Melissa Etheridge Calls Prop 8 'Blatantly Hateful'

The presidential election is less than one week away and there's no shortage of musicians offering up their political opinions. But also less than a week away is the vote on a controversial proposition in California, Proposition 8, which, if passed, would ban same-sex marriage. The heavily debated Prop 8 has drawn eyes, ears and a lot of money from those in opposition, including Ellen DeGeneres, Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz, Steven Spielberg and now out musician Melissa Etheridge.

"Prop 8 is a blatantly hateful, and fearful proposition that I believe the great citizens of California can see through," Etheridge writes in an essay for the Daily Beast. "The proponents of it have run the most fearful of television ads telling the people that if this doesn't pass they will have to teach about homos to small grade school children ... Now, I know my preference of life mate freaks some people out. Maybe it is just their fear of sex or intimacy. I know that they hold up the bible and say that it's wrong. Fine, let me stand before my creator and take any consequences there might be to living my life in truth and balance with my spirit."

Etheridge wed actress Tammy Lynn Michaels in 2003, the day after then-Gov. Grey Davis gave same-sex couples domestic partnership rights. "It was a magical ceremony that started with my children walking with me down the aisle to meet my bride as the two aisles merged into one," she writes. "I wanted to stand in front of my community of family and friends and declare my promise to be committed to my partner, now my wife, through thick and thin."

For opponents of the measure, Etheridge's nine-year-old son perhaps sums it up best. In her essay, she recalls her son reading the measure out loud from the sample ballot. His response? "Wow, that's lame."

All the AOL Music info you want to know

50 Cent, Street King: Rapper Visits…

The Boombox

AP Photo/World Food Programme, Rose Ogola NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - Rapper 50 Cent…

Grammy Acceptance Speeches: Watch 30…

AOL Music Blog

FilmMagic, Getty, WireImage It's been a busy week for God. Besides helping…

Earl Sweatshirt Returns, Releases New…

The Boombox

YouTube.com Ironically, Earl Sweatshirt was one of the most visible members…

See all AOL Music »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

58 Comments

Filter by:
vicki

Hate is not a family value!
Make love not war.
We are all equal under the law.
I am an American.
I am entitled to equal rights and protections as an American citizen.
I pay my taxes.
I am responsible.
I deserve to be loved and to love whom ever I connect with.
I am a lesbian and I am monogamous.
My life does not change yours nor yours change mine.
The laws are regulated to protect equal rights.
Same sex marriage is an equal right.
You are not God.
You are not my God.
Americans have no room for intolerance.
Intolerance is as old as WWII and the Nazi generation.
History has told us that intolerance is unjustified.
You are no better than I.
We are equal under the law.
I am an American.

November 01 2008 at 4:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Hello Virginia

As far as same sex re;ationships thats their choice but not push it on athers to feel good about yourselves. Even thou the bible was wrote by man it is still the word of God Almighty. He is the only one that can judge us and decide what will happen to all of us here on earth.

October 31 2008 at 1:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
halo77

Everyone deserves the right to marry. There really isn't any reason to debate this.

October 31 2008 at 1:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
\"All Knowing\"

Next you "Un-Christian" People (do you actually think that God wants men on men, and woman on woman) will be asking for the right to keep guns at grade schools while allowing young teachers to have sex with very young students. Drop another hit of Sunshine...Dude!!!

October 31 2008 at 8:32 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
grkbeba2002

What you people don't realize is that GOD is the only person that can judge people. What would all of you haters do if God made your daughters lesbians and your sons gay. Then what would you vote for.

October 31 2008 at 8:32 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ellen

I am straight and married and I don't want anyone interfering in my relationship and decisions and every person should have that right. Please don't argue about the "sanctity of marriage" where heterosexual marriages last about 5 minutes or spouses are cheating. Maybe same-sex marriage would improve the success rate of marriage. to facjust4, it actually sounds like the subject was introduced in a small way to each grade, not as an entire year-long curriculum as you suggest. In high school, we had many speakers. A good teacher presents information to students and encourages them to make their own evaluation. A good parent does the same thing. I don't live in California, but I wish I did so I could vote NO for Prop 8.

October 31 2008 at 8:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to Ellen's comment
Kristin

I'm gay. How does that effect you on a daily basis and therefore leads to me being unable to get married to whom I love because I am "not normal"? What makes you so "normal"? Me and my lifestyle do not effect any of you haters on a daily basis, you go out of your way to hate me. And if you ever met me, you'd never even know I was gay. Wouldn't that just suck.

October 31 2008 at 8:20 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
lulu3skitoo

Well, I have been together with my same sex partner for 25 years! I don't need the approval of the christians, (a christian woman brought me out of the closet), I don't need the approval of my state, because I don't care what they think. At least in Washington we have state approved domestic partnership law where we can actually make decisions about health issues, or even in death about one another.
Teaching about homosexuality is long over due. Maybe there wouldn't be so much controversy if it was being taught 20 or 30 yrs. ago. It's people like me who have made it easier for the younger generation of gay people to feel more comfortable with themselves about being gay and getting out of the closet.

October 31 2008 at 8:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jo38kn

I do not believe in gay marriage however I would except some type of (union) say for medical reasons for same sex couples. It just gets to me when same sex ppl have to flaunt it all loud I'M GAY!!!!! I do not walk around screaming I'M STRAIGHT!!!!! Just live your life, my little kids don't need to know your bussiness like that or be forced to learn about it in Elem. school.

October 31 2008 at 8:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
facjust4

If we don't Judge then how do we Forgive ?
I think the word is condemn

October 31 2008 at 8:00 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply