Speaking of Prop 8, would you like pork chops with your side of segregation? Religion has been a big question within a question in the debate over Proposition 8. How does the religious question fit into the gay marriage issue? Should people be denouncing and threatening the Mormon Church, who donated so heavily to pass the proposition? Who’s to blame for the crummy campaign for No on 8 and its lax beginning? Were campaign organizers lazy early on? Did they do anything to reach out to essential demographics in the Latino and black communities? Renowned Voy internet entrepreneur, Cafe Espuelas radio host and CNN contributor Fernando Espuelas stops by to discuss these still very relevant issues on today’s Wilshire & Washington.

We had a bit of a glitch in the first minute, but the show gets rolling quickly and it’s a good one! Listen here or click on the blue Blog Talk Radio player to the right >>.

I’ve got major props for Jerry Sanders for taking a stand for what’s right. I’m from San Diego, and I know this was not an easy thing for him to do. (You may want to skip to about 45 seconds in to where his speech starts.)

“I want to celebrate a new political era on 5 November, one that ushers in a leader of a unity movement for all Americans, not just for some. That may well happen. How despicable, though, if a president-elect Obama has to contend with a resurgent religious right that feeds on hatred, vituperation and fear. The culture wars of the 1980’s and 90’s need to end with a flamed out Bush, not embers of hate in California.”

Teresa and I didn’t have time to weigh in on the show, but it infuriates me when Democratic candidates, including Obama and Biden, don’t step up to the plate on this issue. One of the things I admire most about Obama was that he showed courage in being against the Iraq war from the start when it was politically unpopular. It’s very upsetting that in an election that has brought inequality to the forefront of our national conversation, the senators are on the right side of the law but continue to acquiesce to semantics that enable gay Americans to be treated as second-class citizens. As Teresa notes in the program, it’s confusing for voters to hear, as they did in the Vice Presidential debate, or read on the candidate’s web sites that they do not support marriage rights. 

Obviously there are pressing issues (the economic collapse, the war in Iraq) that continue to upstage identity politics this election season, including with respect to race and gender. It’s fair and reasonable to argue that the focus should remain on them through November in order for progressives to take office and effect real change down the road. Still, this measure is blatant discrimination based on hate and it should not be tolerated. If our leaders aren’t going to make it an issue, the progressive people of California need to step up in these last few weeks and do so. What happens here will send a message to the country and the world. This is not some Sarah Palin-loving red state that the Democrats must drag to the finish line on Nov. 4, and it would be a travesty if the rights of gay Americans were to fall to the wayside as collateral damage in a war for middle-of-the-road voters.

Listen to the show here or use the Blog Talk Radio player:

“Just a few short months ago, I was touched when Phyllis and Del asked me to preside at their marriage ceremony, held after the California Supreme Court confirmed that separate is not equal, and that marriage equality is a right and privilege guaranteed to all Californians.

It felt like our whole city was there to bear witness to the remarkable love, life and work of Phyllis and Del. The two of them lived their lives out loud. They are heroes in the struggle for marriage equality.

Today we celebrate the life of Del Martin, and we gather to support Phyllis Lyon, at a moment when everything they worked for is under attack.”

The “No on Prop 8″ ads start tonight. (Thx: Ted!)

Proponents of Proposition 8, a ballot initiative that would ban same-sex marriage, raised about $3.7 million from Jan. 1 through June 30, according to state filings. In contrast, gay-rights activists who oppose the measure raised about $2.5 million through June 30.

You can donate money to Equality California here.