Prop 8 would eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry.

Prop 8 would re-write our California Constitution to provide that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California—denying gays and lesbians the respect, dignity and responsibility that come with marriage.

The ''Vote No on Prop 8" campaign urges you to vigorously oppose this initiative by voting No on 8 on November 4th.

There are so many reasons Prop 8 is wrong for California. Denying a specific group of people access to the same freedoms and rights others enjoy is, quite simply, un-Californian.

Our California Constitution -- the guiding document of our great state -- promises the same basic rights and freedoms to everyone. In our Constitution, no one group can be singled out for unfair treatment.

Equal protection under the law is a founding principle of the United States of America. Prop 8 undermines that principle, and singles out a single group of people -- gays and lesbians -- for unequal treatment under the law.

Like the freedom of religion and the freedom of speech, the freedom to marry is fundamental to our society. Marriage allows couples to make legal their lifetime commitment to one another, and gives couples the opportunity to fully take responsibility for each other.

Regardless of how you feel about marriage -- for straight or gay and lesbian couples -- it’s wrong to single out one group of Americans and prevent them from having access to the same rights and responsibilities as their fellow citizens.

Please join us -- and our broad and diverse coalition members by vowing to Vote No on Prop 8. Protecting the freedom to marry is about upholding the ideals of equality, freedom and fairness for all.

Proposition 8 is titled Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry Act. It is an initiative measure on the 2008 California General Election ballot. If passed, the proposition would amend the California Constitution to remove the legal ability of same-sex couples to marry. A new section would be added stating "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." The measure was submitted for the ballot by petitioners with the title "California Marriage Protection Act." The title and summary were revised by Attorney General Jerry Brown to more "accurately reflect the measure." The Superior Court of California ruled in favor of these revisions, stating, "The title and summary is not false or misleading because it states that Proposition 8 would 'eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry' in California. The California Supreme Court unequivocally held that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry under the California Constitution."

SEE VIDEO.

Brad Pitt donne 100 000 $ pour soutenir le mariage homosexuel

Brad Pitt vient de faire une donation de 100 000 dollars pour soutenir l'égalité dans le mariage contre la proposition 8, l'amendement qui doit être voté par référendum en novembre et qui empêcherait les couples gays de se marier en Californie.

L'acteur, qui avait déjà dans le passé dit qu'il n'épouserait pas Angelina Jolie tant que le mariage ne serait pas autorisé pour tout le monde, a déclaré : « Parce que personne n'a le droit d'empêcher un autre de vivre sa vie, même s'il n'est pas d'accord avec, parce que chacun a le droit de vivre la vie qu'il souhaite tant qu'elle ne nuit pas à autrui et parce que la discrimination n'a pas sa place en Amérique, mon vote sera pour l'égalité et contre la Proposition 8 ».

Brad Pitt président !

Hey, gay couples: Need a place to tie the knot? Honeymoon?

California’s tourism commission is recommending 10 potential sites, including several with outdoors appeal and a hotel that’s throwing in a membership to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

By Mary Forgione, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
03:28 PM PDT, June 18, 2008

With California's same-sex marriages making headlines, the state's Travel and Tourism Commission compiled a handy list of potential wedding and honeymoon sites.

After all, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Palm Springs and San Diego were among the top 21 cities that gay and lesbian travelers viewed as being gay-friendly, according to a 2006 national survey by the Travel Industry Assn.

Here are some of the recommended picks for those still contemplating where to tie the knot or where to honeymoon.

And just so you know: We haven't actually gotten married at any of these places.

Ardenwood Affairs

This garden in Fremont in San Francisco's East Bay is the place to get married if you want a horse-drawn carriage and a Victorian-style gazebo. Yup, I'm thinking lots of lace and frills. The setting is part of Ardenwood Historic Farm, a 19th century estate that's still a working farm and is run by the East Bay Regional Park District. Renting the site starts at $1,200 for a two-hour weekend ceremony and goes as high as $2,200 for a weekend evening rental. Click here for the website or call (925) 426-3055.

Angel Island

This 470-acre state park is actually in San Francisco Bay, which means you get great views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin County and the cityscape. It's pretty rustic -- good for the outdoors crowd who maybe want to kayak to the ceremony? -- and pretty inexpensive. Site rentals range from $82.50 to $132.50; depending on the spot, you may also need a special events permit that can run an additional $250 to $750. Check out the AngelCam to get a sense of the place. Click here for information on weddings and receptions or call (415) 435-5390.

Viceroy Palm Springs

This desert hotel describes itself as a "modern interpretation of the Hollywood Regency style" and also has a web page devoted to weddings. (Good for golfers.) The special "I Do for Two" package includes room, ceremony, two hour-long spa treatments, breakfast in bed and more. Rates start at $449 per night midweek. Info: Click here or call (760) 320-4117.

Hyatt Regency Century Plaza

The Century City hotel has a special "Celebrate Pride 2008" offer for same-sex couples who stay two nights: a one-year membership to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. The offer, which runs through Dec. 30, is good at 25 of Hyatt's hotels nationwide that are participating in this program, including the Hyatt at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, where PlanetOut will hold a Pride Rocks party on June 28. The package this weekend at the L.A. hotel runs $259 per night. Info: Click here or call (310) 228-1234.

Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort

Squeeze in a yoga or Pilates class before getting married at this lush 100-acre resort in San Luis Obispo where hot springs, not oil, were struck in 1886. The garden gazebo, near a grotto water pool, is the spot at this resort to tie the knot. Weddings and receptions start at $2,500. Info: Click here or call (800) 234-5831.

The Ahwahnee

This national landmark in Yosemite National Park is as elegant as it gets amid the wild beauty of the Sierra. Ceremonies at the 1927 lodge are held on the wedding lawn, where you can see Upper Yosemite Falls, Royal Arches and Glacier Point. But with 300 weddings a year, plan on booking a year ahead for your ceremony, a spokesman says. (Insider tip: Consider winter, when there are fewer bookings and the park has a frosty beauty.) For honeymooners, the Romance Package includes two nights, dinner for two in the dining room, wine and flutes, a gift and more, for $1,269 per couple during the summer. Info: Click here or call (801) 559-4884.

Casa Laguna Inn & Spa

This Laguna Beach site built in the 1920s is for the beach-minded. The site has been playing host to gay-commitment ceremonies since 2000, according to the tourism association. The inn is offering a 10% discount to same-sex couples with a signed California marriage license. The Elopement Package includes a minister, flowers, cake, champagne and more for $1,000 (plus a minimum stay on weekends and holidays). Info: Click here or call (800) 233-0449.

Stanford Inn by the Sea

This is another coastal setting, but this time on the rugged shoreline of Mendocino. In fact, the resort sits on a hillside -- what isn't on a hillside in this town? -- overlooking Mendocino Bay. It too is a hotel that is used to same-sex weddings and, according to the tourism association, the owner conducts the ceremonies as a Universal Life Church minister. Info: Click here or call (800) 331-8884.

W San Diego

This downtown hotel is near the Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego Bay, the Amtrak station and shops and museums. You might decide to bag the car -- and high gas prices -- if you decide to honeymoon here. The "Feel the Wuv" package for couples includes room, a 2 p.m. late checkout and a "bottle of bubbly," starting at $279 per night. Offer runs through Dec. 31. Info: Click here or call (877) 946-8357.

Penon Blanco Lookout

The namesake for this retreat three miles west of Coulterville is an old forest fire lookout station, which you can hike to atop a nearby peak. This inn sits on a 200-acre working ranch where John Muir reportedly once herded sheep (one of the suites bears his name) and is a short drive from Yosemite National Park. Good for couples who want to go horseback riding or rappelling to a cave where Joaquin Murrieta supposedly once hid out. Getaway package for two starts at $139 per night (with two-night stay). Click here or call (888) 257-4397.

10 California places for same-sex weddings and honeymoons

Ardenwood Affairs, Fremont

This is a day-use site in San Francisco's East Bay that offers weddings, with a horse-drawn carriage, from $1,200 to $2,200. (Ardenwood Affairs)

Angel Island, San Francisco Bay

The biggest island in the bay is long on views -- the San Francisco skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge -- but short on luxury. You can rent a spot on the island for $82.50 to $132.50, but you may also need a permit that runs another $250 to $750.

An "I Do for Two" package includes a wedding ceremony, room, two spa treatments and more, starting at $449 per night midweek.

(Ricardo DeAratanha, Los Angeles Times)

Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, Century City

The hotel has a special "Celebrate Pride 2008" offer for same-sex couples who stay two nights: a one-year membership in the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. The offer, which runs through Dec. 30, is $259 per night this weekend.

(Hyatt Regency Century Plaza)

Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort, San Luis Obispo

This resort has a garden gazebo on 100 acres of forest and meadows. Weddings start at $2,500.

(Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort)

The Ahwahnee, Yosemite National Park

This national landmark plays host to about 300 wedding per year -- and it takes about a year to get a reservation. For a honeymoon getaway, consider the Romance Package, which starts at $1,269 per couple during the summer and includes two nights, dinner in the dining room, wine and flutes, and more.

(Chris Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Casa Laguna Inn & Spa, Laguna Beach

This resort has been holding same-sex ceremonies since 2000. Same-sex couples can get a 10% discount with a signed California marriage license. An Elopement Package includes a minister, flowers, cake, champagne and more for $1,000.

(Casa Laguna Inn & Spa)

Stanford Inn by the Sea, Mendocino

This resort has been holding same-sex ceremonies for years atop a meadow overlooking Mendocino Bay. Views of the coast are in abundance.

(Stanford Inn by the Sea)

W San Diego

The downtown San Diego hotel features a "Feel the Wuv" package that includes champagne, late checkout and starts at $279 per night.

(Los Angeles Times)

Penon Blanco Lookout, Coulterville

This inn is set on a working ranch where John Muir reportedly once herded sheep. Getaway packages start at $139 per night (with two-night stay).

(Penon Blanco Lookout)

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