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Jay Chen, Governing Board Member, Hacienda-La Puente Unified School District:
The arguments that are being used to deny
equal rights to the LGBT community are at the root of the same arguments
that were used to suppress and deny the right of Asian Americans to live
and marry freely in the United States generations ago. As an API, I
believe it is our duty to fight acts that seek to divide and degrade
citizens along prejudiced lines. |
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John Cho, Actor:
I'm an Actor. My parents brought me and my brother to this country when I was six years old. We didn't have a whole lot of prospects – a couple of friends, a church that was willing to help – but really the only thing of substance to greet them here was more of a promise, an idea of equality, that, if not them, their sons would have as clean a shot at happiness as the next guy.
I foolishly chose a profession that has historically not offered Asian Americans equal opportunities. However, I would have given up years ago if I didn't believe in the idea. But equality is possible in this country only because we work at its execution and perfection. And I know that when a fan pats me on the back or when he cheers at an Asian American on TV what he's cheering is the affirmation of the idea of equality.
But for it to be possible, for it to be permanent, for it to have value, for it to be valid it must apply to everyone. I just had a son and I know that I want him to have an equal shot at happiness. It's his right as the first Cho to be born on American soil. And I want to say to him some day that I protected that right for him. So please join me in voting No on Prop 8.
Note: “Prop 8,” or Proposition 8, the “Eliminates the Right to Marry for Same-sex couples” Ballot initiative in 2008 stripped same-sex couples in California of the fundamental civil right to marry. |
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The Honorable Judy Chu, Chair, California State Board of Equalization:
When I was in the Assembly, I represented a district that had a large Chinese immigrant community. Some of them are quite fundamentalist. One of them ran against me because of my gay foster youth bill. They ask me, why do you support gay equality? And I say back to them, I am Chair of the State Assembly’s Select Committee on Hate Crimes. I held hearings on hate crimes in both the Asian American and the LGBT community.
Kenny Chiu was a 17 year old Taiwanese American who was stabbed to death 26 times in the driveway of his own home by his neo-nazi neighbor just for being Asian American. Matthew Shepherd was only 21 years old when he was dragged from a bar, beaten, tied to a split-rail fence like a scarecrow and left to die in the cold of the night--- just for being gay.
I cannot fight for the civil rights of one group without fighting for the civil rights of the other. Things will not change until people stand up and say strongly and unflinchingly that we will not tolerate making anybody in this state a second class citizen. |
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The Honorable Mike Eng, California Assembly Member:
Asian Pacific Americans have faced a long history of discrimination with regard to the right to marry. Within our lifetimes we can remember anti-miscegenation laws that prevented people of different races from marrying. No loving couple or family should be excluded from the institution of marriage and all the corresponding rights and responsibilities. Same-sex couples are simply asking for what we all want and deserve. We need to stand with them. |
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Nisha Ganatra, Director:
When marriage is reserved for some people and withheld from others, declaring our love is not just a personal act. It is also a political act. And love, which should be boundless, becomes limited. Julie and I will not settle for compromised love. We instead look to the day when others recognize our commitment to one another. And we look to the day when we can freely celebrate our commitment -- our love -- for what it is: honest and true and limitless. |
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Amy Hill, Actress:
Why do I support the freedom to marry? It just makes sense! Plus, I get lots of good feedback whenever I wear the API Equality-LA T-shirt. |
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Shalini Kantayya, Director and contestant in Fox’s reality TV show, “On the Lot”:
As a society we will look back on the gay marriage issue with the same outrage that we now regard the grave injustices against black people and women. The struggle for civil rights is not over until ALL people possess equal human rights under the law. |
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Hamid Khan, Executive Director, South Asian Network:
Everyone has the fundamental right to celebrate their relationship with a life partner of their choice. |
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Nancy Kwon, Actress:
Recently I attended the wedding of a dear friend who married his partner of 30 years. Witnessing their marriage, surrounded by a roomful of family, friends, and their four-year old son made me feel grateful that the freedom to marry is now the law of the land in California. We must do everything we can to defend this fundamental civil right. |
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Rex Lee, Actor:
I don't currently have a desire to get married. However, I believe in equality and liberation for the LGBT community. So, I want ALL rights for my brothers and sisters BECAUSE we deserve no less than the rights afforded to others. |
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Frieda Lee Mock, Filmmaker:
The most memorable and fantastic "couplings" I have witnessed are of friends who are same sex couples. Among these four couples - George Takei and Brad Altman, Tony Kushner and Mark Harris, Garth Bixler and Stephen Barclay, Arthur Dong and Young Gee – before even taking their marriage and commitment vows they had already shared sixty-two years of devotion, love and commitment. Society recognizes these private acts with the public blessings of licensing and marriage, a gesture of welcome to the community, of being included and valued. It’s wonderful that the enfranchisement heterosexual couples enjoy is now extended to same sex couples in some States and that our country’s ideals of justice and equality are becoming a reality for all. Many of us oppose Proposition 8 because it is conceived contrary to the spirit of our Constitution. |
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George Takei, Actor:
(Referring to his relationship with his partner, Brad Altman) We are here to affirm the core ideals of marriage: to love each other, to care for each other, and to be responsible for each other. We want to make that part of what California stands for.
Photo Credit: Tom Atwood |
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Kristina Wong, Performing Artist:
Our country was founded on the idea of freedom and equality. Or was that a rumor? I can't tell anymore. But if it isn't a rumor, then the LGBT community should have the same freedoms as straight people. The freedom to love and express love. And especially, the right to be just as miserable.
Photo Credit: Diana Toshiko |
