Gov. David Paterson, right, and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom spoke at a private New York fundraiser to fight Proposition 8, California’s gay marriage ban. AP photos.
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By Joelle L. Quartini
Friday, October 03, 2008
New York Gov. David Paterson and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom headlined a local fundraiser last week to defeat Proposition 8, the California ballot measure that would ban same-sex marriage in the Golden State.
The $5,000-per-head event attracted dozens to the East Side home of philanthropists Michael Recanati and Ira Statfeld, where Paterson and Newsom spoke about the urgency and necessity of defeating Proposition 8.
”Hearing Gov. Paterson speak so passionately and persuasively was really inspiring,” said Evan Wolfson, founder of Freedom to Marry, a partnership working to win marriage nationwide. “Here is a non-gay man who understands the importance of this battle.”
Paterson has been a staunch supporter of same-sex marriage equality, making it one of his priorities since he took office earlier this year. In May, he directed all state agencies to follow a court ruling that said state agencies must recognize all legal marriages performed in other states, including same-sex marriages.
In 2004, Newsom caused a national controversy when he allowed San Francisco to issue same-sex marriage licenses. Courts soon halted that practice.
“Gov. Paterson believes this is a basic human rights issue, and the struggle for marriage equality does not end at our state’s borders,” said Erin Duggan, a spokesperson for Paterson. “The governor was not there to raise funds, but to show New York’s support for California’s existing law.”
Proposition 8, which will be on California’s Nov. 4 election ballot, would change the wording of the state Constitution to read “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”
A California Supreme Court decision earlier this year ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marriage under the state constitution. The first gay marriages took place in June and are still going one. Proposition 8 would reverse the court ruling.
“A win in California will be a win for us in every state on every other battlefront,” said Wolfson, who attended the Sept. 25 local fundraiser. “Losing in California will add years, possibly decades, to our movement throughout the country.”
The New York State Assembly in June 2007 passed a marriage equality bill; it is stuck in the Senate. If California voters pass Proposition 8, legislators in other states may be less likely to vote for same-sex marriage.
“The stakes could not be higher,” Wolfson said.
Proposition 8 supporters have maintained the lead in fundraising dollars throughout this campaign. Totals have reached more than $18 million for those for Proposition 8, while the opposition (those for same-sex marriage) still lag behind at just over $14 million.
Many celebrities and big names across the country have contributed to defeating Proposition 8, including Brad Pitt, Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw, who each gave $100,000.
“Money is crucial because California is a huge state, and the most effective way to reach the population we need has to be done through television—and television costs money,” Wolfson said.
Yes on 8 released its first attack ad on Monday, claiming the California Supreme Court “mandated” support for same-sex couples to marry and that Californians could be sued over their personal beliefs, churches could lose their tax exemption and children would be taught same-sex marriage in public schools—none of which is true.
“The anti-gay forces have already been out-fundraising us and are just beginning a barrage of anti-gay ads as young voters and swing voters watch,” Wolfson said.
New Yorkers can do several things to help defeat Proposition 8, according to Wolfson. First, everyone should contact anyone they know in California and ensure they’ll vote “no” on Prop. 8, as well as everyone else they know.
New York supporters can also donate money through noonprop8.com, or volunteer to speak with Californians directly through phone banks set up via Vote No On Prop. 8.
“Proposition 8 denies couples not only the right to celebrate their commitment through marriage, but also the thousands of rights afforded only to legally married couples,” Duggan said. “The passage of this proposition would be a step backward for the state of California and for the fight for marriage equality across the country.”
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