Elton John is enlisted as an unlikely ally for pro-Proposition 8 fundraising efforts

Protests and vandalism mounted by advocates of same-sex marriage are being used by promoters of Proposition 8 as a fundraising tool.

Jeff Flint, manager of the Yes-on-8 campaign, the proposition that banned gay marriage, also is using an unlikely ally -- Sir Elton John.

Flint sent out an e-mail solicitation decrying the tactics by some foes of the initiative and citing a USA Today article that quotes the performer as describing he and his partner are in a civil partnership, not marriage, and how he prefers it that way.

Prominent on the e-mail is a large red button that says: Donate.

“We want our supporters to know that we’re not going to stand by while they are harassed and intimidated when we asked them to support us,” Flint said today.

There have been numerous protests and some vandalism since voters approved the measure by a margin of 52.25% to 47.8% on Nov 4.

“It shows the so-called forces of tolerance are the most intolerant force in politics,” Flint said. “I can’t believe politically it is helping them.”

Money raised by the measure will be used in the coming court battle over Proposition 8. More than 40 Democratic legislators have filed a friend-of-the-court brief urging that the California Supreme Court overturn the initiative. Arnold Schwarzenegger also has called on the court to intervene.

-- Dan Morain

To receive automatic cellphone updates on each new Ticket item go here and register.

Photo: Schalk van Zuydam /Associated Press

Comments

[smile]

To be honest I used to respeact HOMEOSEXUALS
now I don"t when they have to get into people faces who don"t agree with them and trash people faith in God. Also take Marriage and the meaning and distory it. I am like everyone who has faith in God. How can you take something or try to steal something and the meaning when you are not marrying someone the Opsit sex. Can you Call your marriage something eles instead using this word that always been for aman and women to come togather as one.
I have to be honest to you all. pushing this onto people and you all can"t respect others and respect people faith how can anyone give you the respect that you all want. People would respect you more if you find a diffrent word that definds your relactionship with your same sex partner instead of stealing the word marrage and distorying people faith.

[Allison -- Former Reginald Dwight fan]

First, Mr. John is not even a citizen of the United States, let alone a citizen of California. Are we really going to take legal advice from a musician? Additionally, do the Yes people still not get the fact that there are NO civil unions in California? Domestic partnerships are merely a form that can be notarized at any Mailboxes etc. I challenge any Yes person to solemnize their union in a place that sells envelopes.

More importantly, did all you "Yes" folks sleep through civics, social studies, whatever they call it nowadays?

Please, please, please educate yourselves with respect to the basic principles of our government, including the SEPARATION OF POWERS doctrine--the LEGISLATURE legislates--makes the laws; the governor, i.e. the EXECUTIVE branch of our state government, executes the laws; and the JUDICIARY interprets those laws, to determine whether they are constitutional. CHECKS AND BALANCES.

Now, in 2000, the majority voted on prop 22 and the legislature codified that into a statute; and in 2008, the judiciary found that statute was UNCONSTITUTIONAL... as it violated the FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT to marry and denied a minority class of persons EQUAL PROTECTION under the law... These are the very protections the California (and US) Constitution was designed to endow the people with. We the people. We ALL the people. So what did some of the people do, in response? They attempted to undermine the very principles of our Constitution--protection of minorities from majority rule--by inscribing inequality into the Constitution, with Prop 8. Clever. Maybe. Foolproof. Absolutely not.

The people have a right to vote... but they absolutely do NOT have the right to revise the constitution to oppress a minority, simply because that group does not comport with their ideas, norms, or dare I say religion. Please also be advised that religion has no place in CIVIL law. The marriages that we are voting on are legal contracts. That is all. Nothing is being imposed on any religious institution. Nothing is being imposed on anyone else's marriage. That of course brings us to the RIGHT TO PRIVACY. Look that one up too, please.

In closing, before you react on ignorance and fear, educate yourself about the basic tenants of OUR Government... both with respect to California and the United States.

Knowledge is power... with direction. Quite frankly, Yes folks, you have neither.

[OldGaDawg]

Sir Elton John needs to go back across the pond before he hurts his-self.
One chooses there life style and they should not inflict theres on those of us to whom will all ways believe that MARRIAGE IS A UNION OF ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN.

[Jeffrey]

I guess you religiously intolerant left wing nuts should start calling Elton a BIGOT!! He understands this isn't about equal rights.

[Lois Willias]

Why is nobody protesting President Obama? He is against same-sex marriage. If he had campaigned against Prop 8, it might not have passed.

[Lois Willias]

Why is nobody protesting President Obama? He is against same-sex marriage. If he had campaigned against Prop 8, it might not have passed.

[Rick Santino]

"To be honest I used to respeact HOMEOSEXUALS"

Because clearly, all homosexuals think of a hive mind and are for gay marriage through any means necessary, right "smile?"

No one is "pushing" gay marriage onto others. If anything, you people are intervening in their lives and telling them how to live. Grow up and leave them alone.

[Joel Perlstein]

1) The Mormons and Catholics should respect the religious freedom of the ministers and rabbis of other faiths who want to marry gay couples. The supporters of Prop 8 try to argue that the opponents are religiously intolerant. Actually, the proponents are trying to enshrine tthe views of their particular religious sect into law. This is shown most clearly by their reference to "protecting the sanctity of marriage." "Sanctitiy" means "holiness", and is clearly a religious belief. However, this nation was founded on the principal that the views of a particular religious sect should not be enshrined in civil law. That's why the Bill of Rights prohibits the official establishment of any religion.

2) Many gay people, apparently including Elton John, are not enamored of the institution of marriage. However, just because some gay people don't want to get married, even though they are coupled, doesn't mean that all gay people should be prohibited from marrying.

[NoOnH8]

You Califronian's are so uneducated. Which is first and foremost the only reason prop. H8 got passed. Please people read your Constitution, read the 14th Amendment! Because what Cali is really showing the world is just how uneducated they are...BRAVO if that was your goal. And "smile"....your comment on how prop. 8 would "take marriage and destroy it"...Once again, lets get some education, this time on the HIGHEST STATISTICS of DIVORCE RATES. California blows all other states out of the water! So much for not destroying marriage...way to go CALI!

[SKV]

Many gay people, apparently including Elton John, are not enamored of the institution of marriage. However, just because some gay people don't want to get married, even though they are coupled, doesn't mean that all gay people should be prohibited from marrying.

-Joel Perlstein
You guys don't understand what is marriage about :).
Marriage has two aspects:
1. Is about kids that you guys naturally cannot have within your union.
2. About property, insurance, inheritance etc.
People don't what you adapted kids. Everything else you can have it as long as you call it Civil Union or anyway you want.

[Dan]

This would be all well and good, but you're taking away our right to have civil partnerships. Look at the constitutional amendments across the nation. The wording excludes gays and lesbians from not only getting married but entering unions substantially similar thereto. That means you're preventing us from having civil partnerships.

Okay, so marriage is a religious term. But why not create a civil term for all unions - gay and straight. Let people get civil unions and Churches give out marriages?

[John R. Lim]

First and most important is that the election is over. The majority have chosen to save and protect the children of California and the family for that matter. We shouldn't allow 10 percent of the people to dictate or impose their morals on the 90 percent of us who believe that a man and a woman family unit is still the ideal social setup. Secondly, the California legislature, and the governor should not be in the business of invalidating the will of the people. I hope Californians see this injustice and disrespect and will recall these legislators and soon as possible.

[Smarty]

Homosexuality is sin. God is against it. God designed marriage as between one man and one woman only. Homosexuality is dirty, it is a perversion of the truth. It is harmful to society, harmful to the children. It spreads AIDS. The government is spending so much on AIDS research when all they have to do is to educate people that homosexuality is sin. No homosexuals, no AIDS. Those who oppose Prop 8 will never win, because more and more people are fighting against this evil agenda. We will not cease to pray for the preservation of the traditional marriage. HOMOSEXUALITY IS A SICKNESS, A DISEASE.

[MC]

What a biased article. "Some" acts of vandalisim?? Swasticas were spray painted on churches and Yes On 8 signs and homes, a church service in Michigan was interrupted and flyers were thrown around, a senior citizen lady was shoved and her property was thrown and stomped. And the author makes it sound as if this is being "exploited" to raise money for a losing cause. No, this is being EXPOSED to the voters that their peacful, democratic victory is being disregarded by the gay-mafia liberal-media mob.

This issue was NEVER about marriage equality. The gay community could have lobbied just as hard to equalize the domestic partnership laws with guaranteed success. THIS IS ONLY ABOUT "SOCIAL" ACCEPTANCE. Considering that less than 5% of gays bother to get married in communities where it's legal, it's painfully apparent that GAY MARRIAGE IS SIMPLY A TACTIC TO FORCE "SOCIAL" ACCEPTANCE OF GAYS ON THE MAINSTREAM HETEROSEXUAL COMMUNITY.

As for seperation of church and state, the Episcopal and Unitarian churches in my neighborhood had HUGE No On 8 banners on their doors and made very public pleas to defeat the measure -- why aren't the L.A. gays protesting THAT mix of politics and religion??? I guess it's only important when it's convenient to thier agenda...

[David]

Hi,

I'm with Elton about the animosity from the NO on 8 people in the bay area. Since the election, lots of people against prop 8 are making slurs about the people that voted yes. It's unproductive. No one I know took the time to talk to someone that's in favor of prop 8. I just keep hearing name calling and theorizing as to why they're so ignorant.

I talked to some people that were in favor of 8, and posted the interviews. Most don't hate gay people. They voted to protect the things they care about from being hurt by state law. Try listening to the other side: http://www.discovertheuser.com/prop8

[David]

Hi,

I'm with Elton about the animosity from the NO on 8 people in the bay area. Since the election, lots of people against prop 8 are making slurs about the people that voted yes. It's unproductive. No one I know took the time to talk to someone that's in favor of prop 8. I just keep hearing name calling and theorizing as to why they're so ignorant.

I talked to some people that were in favor of 8, and posted the interviews. Most don't hate gay people. They voted to protect the things they care about from being hurt by state law. Try listening to the other side: http://www.discovertheuser.com/prop8

[Dan P]

Elton John has never been a spokesperson for lgbt rights. He famously agreed to perform with emminem at the Grammies when lgbt's were protesting his anti-gay lyrics. He has internalized a lot of the oppression he grew up with. We love him, and sometimes love to listen to his music, but we don't look to him for progressive advice.

Particularly in light of the fact that Civil Partnerships do not carry the same legal weight in the US as they do in the UK. If all Californians were to get Civil Partnerships they would miss out on more than 1000 rights and benefits under the federal government. If gays alone were to do it, we would again, not be treated equally under the law.

[Steve]

@ NoonH8- you nailed it.
Perhaps it is typical that the two yes-people are the two posts I can't read and understand the meaning simultaneous, mainly caused by the enormous amount of grammatical errors. That is the biggest obstacle for the yes-folks in general; they try to convince us of their point, but fail to come out of their closedmindness. Churches demand respect, and preach love on Sundays, and evidently go out on the streets during the week preaching hate and anger. To all the yes-folks: Same sex unions have been in existence long before the Catholic Church built their first Cathedral. It was that same Church that decided gays were not to be tolerated. What's next, people? Jews can't marry? Blacks can't buy a house? Muslims can't drive a car? We are America, we are the United States, let's live to the meaning of those two words.

[Rob]

Nothing Shouts " I Believe in Civil Rights" like an Angry Mob of Biggots singling out 1 religious group and vandalizing churches.    HONESTLY,  CHurches have their rights to believe what they feel to be true.   Just as you have the right have your view also.  Let me tell you something  the most basic and most IMPORTANT right we have as Americans is the Freedom of Speech.  Freedom for people to believe whatever they wish will always outway the freedom for people to marry.  BY THE WAY.  9.5 Million People came out and voted for 8 on nov 4.  70 of the people who voted for 8 were blacks and latinos.  Latinos are PRODOMINATELY CATHOLIC  while most Blacks are either Methodist, Baptist  or of some other Denomination.  Only 250000 voters were LDS members.  Maybe you are singling out the wrong religion.  Or maybe it is easy for you to attack the mormons because they already have a black eye in the national eye.  Thats what Civil Rights is all about Singling People Out and Painting Swastikas on there church Buildings.

[jason]

i just want to point out to people, that there are bad seeds on both sides of this debate that have been behaving badly. in fresno, a lesbian was forced out of her position as PTA president because she was seen by members of the PTA at a "no on 8" rally.

the protests that i have been to have been peaceful and a good example of democracy.

[Bruan]

Come on people, this is about who does or does not have rights. The majority of Californias voted unaminously about what marriage IS. Go out and have your commited homosexual relationship. No one is stopping you. But the majority of the population has voted that only men and women can enter into a socially binding, mutually oportunisic relationship (between society and the couple).

Any homosexual can get married (equal rights) it just has to be someone of the opposite gender. Because, by definition, that IS what Marriage IS.

Elton John expressing his views on moral/political issues is no different than the Hollywood Elite telling society how they should or should not vote. Good on ya John! Maybe I should buy one of your CDs to show my support.

[David]

I support the traditional Biblical view of marriage; that marriage is a solemn bond between a man, a woman's father (or a other lawfully designated male relative), and a carefully negotiated quantity of livestock.

[Brendan]

Oh please. Elton is an embarrassment. If he doesn't want marriage, go and not get married, but don't insult me with that.

People, I've never asked for more rights than you. I've not asked to be part of your belief. I don't come into churches and spread an "agenda" in front of you.

Instead, you spit on my rights, take them away, and use love, God, belief, and family as an excuse.

[Seriously]

I have to admit I was very shocked to hear that Pro. 8 passed in California. It seems there is still hope for America.

I love America and work in government and politics. Just like scripture, the constitution can be interpretated for good or evil purposes. The gay and lesbian community is so adamant in their interpretation that no one else can be right, and that is stripping away the rights of Pro. 8 supporters. Tolerance is a two-way street. You cannot expect people to support your cause unless you are willing to compromise as well. I believe most conservatives would be in favor of supporting "partnership rights" (i.e. hospital visitation, health care coverage, etc) but no matter what marriage is an off-limits issue. It's called negotiation and until the extremist homosexual stance is abandoned we will be divided on this issue.

Also, in response to the continual cry of "separation of church and state." Churches should not support candidates or political parties but OF COURSE they are going to influence the moral views of their congregation. I believe in compassion and understanding towards all individuals and I hope that homosexual couples can find comfort in their relationships without forcing their beliefs on everyone else. Finally, the reason some churches are arguing so boldly against pro. 8 is the bottom line sign...MONEY, MONEY, MONEY. Is that a good motive?

[Neil H]

Bruan, do you have the slightest idea of what "unanimously" means?

I'll give you a hint: a mere 52% majority is not it. And that figure, by the way, is lower than what it was in another vote just a few years ago. What will it be in the next vote?

This isn't over. Gay marriage opponents are losing ground and they know it. That's why they're so desperate to smear the entire gay community with the unfortunate actions of a few isolated angry people: they can't win by presenting the issue honestly.