Thanks to all my extended family for your kind words, thoughts, prayers.  They mean more to me then you can know.  I will be extending my stay here to take care of family business, but will see you all soon.

I love you all
Dave

Mom with Brett, Don, me, Gail!

 

In response to my letter, the person who didn't vote on Prop 8 replied. (http://dhbearguy.livejournal.com/329498.html) This is an excerpt from his reply.

I do support the right of gays and even polygamists to marry.  I proudly voted against the initiative in 2000 though I had not yet realized/accepted I was gay.  However, I have always felt that marriage is an issue that belongs to the people, through their elected representatives, not the courts.  I do not feel any need for state sanction of my feelings for my partner ~ they cannot take away or diminish or augment the strength of my relationship no matter what a court or the legislature decide.  So, I have been in a quandry ~ I could not possibly vote for the initiative, but, as I discussed at length with my partner, this case will cause the most unnecessary divisiveness in our state (which it seems to have done, someone I considered a close friend is disassociating with me!)  Although I agree with the outcome (it personally benefits me) it would go against my judicial philosphy.  Do I sell myself out just because I get the benefit?  I decided just not to vote.

So my thoughts on this are....

WHAT?  Given the opportunity to vote with HIS own voice on an issues he supports... he thinks his elected representative should make the decision for him??  What if his elected representative was a uber consertivie right wing religious fanatic.  Representatives do not always make the decisions we want.  We all know that.
His Judicial philosphy is way flawed!!

 

I was really saddened, and am very angry that you chose to not vote on Proposition 8. Word spread pretty fast about your decision. One thing I told you I really liked about you when I met you was your confidence.. and while your abstention on voting on Prop 8 was probably a very confident thing, I am sick to my stomach that an educated, kind, well liked, caring person with a wonderful partner would decide that discrimination is okay!

Yes on 8 has used lies all throughout their campaign, and I’m saddened that you did not see that enough to vote NO on Prop 8.

I have worked very hard the last 2 weeks volunteering with the No on 8 Camp, and am spending 14 hours on Tuesday to talk to voters, and your decision is a big slap in my face to the time and energy I have put in to make sure discrimination is not written into the California Constitution.

With that, I hope you understand that no matter what the outcome of the election is on Tuesday, I am probably not for a while going to be inclined to speak or dance with you at Sundance. I respect your right to vote your opinion. That does not mean I have to like it.  Please respect my decision to keep distance from you!

Dave Hayes