I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the events of the past few days. It’s been both joyous and disheartening; a giant leap forward and huge step back. And based on some of the hate-email I’ve received from Utah and oddly enough Calgary recently, they seem perfectly cool with stripping away rights due to our disgusting habits. More on them later.

Taking all of this into account, I have reached the following conclusions.

While chickens gained new rights in California, gays and lesbians lost them.

Religious groups learned if you exert enough money and influence, they can strip your equal rights.

No how matter how hard you push your own brand of McCarthysim, your electorate can still be stupid enough to put you back into office.

Religion often provides shelter for hate, intolerance and fear of “other”, opening up a whole host of possibilities.

A better educational system would reduce the number of bigots and improve spelling.

And finally…

Exit polling for MSNBC revealed that 24% of Americans are afraid of this black man…

No on Prop 8 just released a new ad this evening called “Discrimination” narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, looking back at the injustices of California’s past and not to repeat them. Good stuff.

Second to the presidency, Proposition 8 is arguably the most important vote in the nation this November. Authored by religious groups, Proposition 8 overturns the California Supreme Court’s decision granting same-sex couples marriage equality, and amends the state constitution so that marriage can only be defined as union between a man and a woman.

Recently married, my partner and I have donated time and money to the No On Prop 8 campaign. We’ve called upon our family and friends to do as much as they can. We’ve distributed fliers and signs around our neighborhood, and have tried to make an impact in our workplace. But we wanted to do something more.

I’ve made a No On Prop 8 video and have posted it on online. I’m not so naive as to think it will make a huge difference, or even a small one, but if I can get one more person to donate time or money, or get down off of that fence, then it will have been worth it.

I think many California voters don’t really know who Proposition 8’s biggest supporters are, or their core values. In the video I try to draw attention to that, in the hopes that making the decision to vote No on Prop 8 is an easier one.
Please help me spread the word by sharing this video.

Some of Proposition 8’s biggest supporters include
(I will not link to them as not to send them traffic):

• Concerned Women for America
• Focus on the Family
• American Family Association
• The Knights of Columbus
• Members of the Mormon Church
  (urged by their leaders, they have donated over $18 million)

For a complete list visit Californians Against Hate or the LA Times.

Please donate time or donate money if you have not already done so. Or volunteer for No On Prop 8’s Election Visibility program on Election Day November 4th.

And finally, I’d like to send my deepest thanks to Chuck Smith, who was so gracious with his time to provide the voiceover in this video. Please contact me if you have some work to send Chuck’s way.

Apple came out strong against Prop 8 today in the shape of $100,000 donation.

Apple is publicly opposing Proposition 8 and making a donation of $100,000 to the No on 8 campaign. Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees’ same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person’s fundamental rights — including the right to marry — should not be affected by their sexual orientation. Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8.

I’ve long been a member of the Apple faithful, having convinced many to switch to Mac over the years — Apple, where’s my cut!? But after today, all debts are forgiven. I’m really proud of them and the announcement is well timed. Evidently Apple couldn’t care less about Protect Marriage’s blackmail campaign against businesses supporting marriage equality.

Out of curiosity I’ve been following a lot of the forums on Apple friendly sites to gauge the reactions. It’s run generally positive, running the gammut from “I’m going to the Apple store tonight and spending a lot of money in thanks” to “I just bought a new Macbook and I’m returning it tonight. I can’t support a company that supports immorality.” Bigots, please feel free to return your Apple products, it’ll leave cheaper refurbished products for the rest of us.

I’m going home to kiss my Mac now. You do the same.