Proposition 8. The Ethics of a Controversial Issue

For so many, their minds have been made up and their vote soon enough cast either by mail or at the poll.  Proposition 8, which will define marriage between a man and a woman in the State of California, will be voted on this coming November 4th.  There is little time to change the minds of others, and even with enough time, this is not, and has not, been an issue which folks are inclined to shift positions.  Money has been spent, words exchanged, sentiments verbalized, thoughts penned, lawn signs stolen, homes tagged with graffiti, and among all of this ruckus, all of the hate spewed, love lost, few have stopped for a moment to speak about what the real issue is behind gay marriage.  We have debated about the leaves and the branches but have forgotten to speak about the root of the problem.  This issue is controversial not because of gay "marriage", but because of homosexuality, in its entirety.  The question that is underlying all of this debate is whether we believe homosexuality is a choice, or whether folks are born, as such.  All arguments, all points of view, all understanding about Proposition 8 is sprung forth from the answer we give to the question of the origins of homosexuality.  If someone views homosexuality as a choice, they are more than likely to incur Yes on Prop. 8.  Those who believe people are born gay are then more inclined to vote No on Prop. 8.  Yet, the forums I have attended, the debates I have heard, the arguments I have listened to, the opponents and proponents I have seen all seem to want to avoid asking, much less answering, this very question.  My own beliefs aside on this issue, what I do believe is fundamentally understanding the situation at hand to the best of our abilities, and when I stop and witness the circumstances we are to deal with in view of Prop. 8 we are doing a disservice to our democracy, and our future, when we pretend to ignore the most important question that need be answered in regards to one a historical initiative soon to be voted on. 

How can we make a decision without fully understanding the issue in front of us?  How can we decide without all, or if not most, of the facts?  How can we vote on Prop. 8 without, at least, speaking on the issue which will, when answered, be the deciding factor in which way one votes on Proposition 8?  We are responsible for the outcome of this election.  When our children in the days and years to come look at us and ask us what our reasons for voting the way we voted on Prop. 8, we best give 'em one hell of a reason, and it best not be leaves, but the root we choose to speak to, from which springs logic as sound and sturdy as the girth of the bark it gives birth to.