Anil Kalamkar, who migrated to the US from Maharashtra 15 years ago, is a staunch supporter of Prop 8. "We come from a culture of values and tradition. Same sex marriages are a slap against our traditions. In American culture it is acceptable, but not in the Indian community. I am for Prop 8 because I don't want my children to be taught about homosexuality in school. Sex education is all right but not same sex marriages."
Similar arguments have been made by the opponents of same-sex marriage on television, warning voters that if Proposition 8 is defeated, children will be taught about gay marriage in elementary schools.
However, California state and local education officials say the 'Yes on 8' adverts are misleading. High school officials confirmed that the state education code barely mentions marriage, and parents have an 'opt-out' provision that allows parents in California to remove their children from class before something they deem objectionable is taught.
Apart from support from some teachers unions (the California Teachers Union Issues PAC contributed $2 million), gay rights advocates have turned to Hollywood celebrities for help. In recent weeks, director Steven Spielberg and actor Brad Pitt each donated $100,000 in support of the campaign to preserve the right to gay marriage.
The big contributors in the fight to approve Prop. 8 include the Knights of Columbus ($1 million); the National Organization for Marriage ($500,000); Dr John Templeton, son of philanthropist Sir John Templeton ($450,000); and Focus on the Family ($500,000).
Sillicon Valley-based Apple issued a short statement on its Hot News page saying it publicly opposes Proposition 8, and donated$100,000 to the No on 8 campaign. 'Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8,' it said.
Talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres has thrown $100,000 to buy TV time to fight the ban. On her show, VP candidate Joe Biden called Proposition 8 'regressive' and 'unfair' and added that he and running mate Barack Obama opposed a similar initiative nationally.
Image: Rashmi Choksey, president of Satrang, the South Asian queer organisation based in Southern California
Also read: Why we need to break the chains of gay people
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