Cal Alumni Pride, the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, and Transgender (LGBT) alumni association of the University of California, Berkeley supports and promotes the interests of the University of California and its alumni, with an emphasis on issues and interests specific to the LGBT community. Click here to find out more about us.

We are reaching out to ask for your help in the fight for LGBT rights taking place in California. Legalizing discrimination in our state would have far-reaching effects and would set a nationwide precedent for allowing discrimination. The time to act is now!

Proposition 8, put on the ballot by petition signatures collected with the help of funding by out-of-state conservative groups and individuals, will amend the California Constitution to eliminate the recently-won right of same-sex couples to marry. Please take a moment to read a letter from Chancellor Birgeneau and find out how you can help defeat this proposition.

Dear Cal Alumni Pride:

As Chancellor of UC Berkeley, I am writing to inform you of the likely impacts on our campus of the passage of Proposition 8, a ballot initiative that would eliminate the right of same-sex couples to civil marriage in the State of California. Of course, all members of the Berkeley community must exercise their own best judgment in deciding on how they wish to vote on this ballot measure.

In June of this year, the California Supreme Court reaffirmed the constitutional right to marry for same-sex couples. This ruling supports UC Berkeley’s commitment to equity and inclusion by recognizing the family relationships of all members of our campus community, including lesbian and gay faculty, staff and students.

Proposition 8 is in conflict with the principles of equity and inclusion to which our campus is committed. Berkeley supports the full inclusion and equal treatment of all members of our community and we have affirmed the position that any treatment of individuals that is not equal and inclusive is discriminatory. In denying a fundamental civil right, passage of Proposition 8 would undermine these principles, not just for our LGBTQ community, but for all racial, religious and cultural minorities and would harm the university as a whole.

Inclusion provides the rich diversity of intellectual life and creative learning that are at the heart of this great university. Inclusiveness is a specific strategic advantage that allows us to attract and retain talented people who could easily choose to move to other parts of the country. For example, in Massachusetts, home to Harvard and MIT, who are among our greatest competitors for faculty, same-sex marriage has been legal for some years.

It is recognized in states such as New York, home to Columbia and Cornell, who are also major rivals for top faculty. The constitutional right to marry in the State of California enhances UC Berkeley’s ability to attract and retain the very best students, staff and faculty, with the promise of equal treatment under the laws of our state. Social theorist Richard Florida has shown that the economic success of American cities is based on their ability to attract a “creative class” of “talented people who seek an environment open to differences.” Proposition 8 will harm the social conditions in our state that promote creativity, justice, and prosperity.

Although you must judge for yourselves how to vote, as you consider your ballot on November 4, 2008, I would urge you to take into account the impacts that passage of Proposition 8 would have on our campus community.

Robert J. Birgeneau
Chancellor, UC Berkeley

If passed, this would be the first time in history that an amendment would be made to the California Constitution to take rights away from a subset of the population. We need the help of both our California and out-of-state friends and allies to defeat this discriminatory measure. Democracy is not about the majority taking away the rights of a minority.

Here are three things you can do to help:

The legalization of discrimination in one locale will impact everyone and sets a terrible precedent that other states will rely on when they follow up with their own discriminatory measures. Help stop this movement before it gathers momentum. Help us fight Proposition 8 now!

If you have any questions about Proposition 8 or would like more information about how to help, please contact us at info@calalumnipride.org.

Thanks for your help in the fight against discrimination,

The Cal Alumni Pride Board of Directors:

Adrian Diaz
Lindsey Adams
Kaveh Azari
Kinman Tong
Alex Randolph

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