Proposition 8 has been introduced in all our households.  A proposition stating,” Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”  To the majority – meaning heterosexuals, this must have been a pretty easy vote.  Most don’t know anyone who is gay.  Yes, they may see a gay person on television or in the movies, but it’s not “real” until you actually know a person first hand.  So, because of this ignorance, I don’t blame them for the help they contributed by voting in favor of Prop. 8.  This is the reason why I’m so “out”.  I want people to KNOW me.  Know who I am, what I’m about, and what I stand for.

Many times people are prejudice because of what they were taught. Everyday – society breeds ignorance.  So, I feel it is up to us to ENLIGHTEN.  WE can make a difference, by spreading the knowledge of US.  This is why it’s so important to come out.  For so long, we have been told that the unknown is scary and the unknown MUST be bad.  Even if you are not gay, but have a gay sister or cousin – let it be known!  Because we do exist.  We are real.  We may be a minority, but we will not be ignored.  We will not let our rights, as HUMAN BEINGS, be snatched away because we love the gender of the same sex.  And the only way, the ONLY WAY to do this is by promoting self and community awareness.  Because we are not wrong.  We are not bad.  We ARE NOT,”..selfish, sexual, anti social & antifamily” any more than heterosexuals are.  This whole argument is just exhausting.  If they could only walk a mile in our shoes.. I pray for retribution.  I pray for justice and LOVE! And more so, I pray for acceptance.

Please follow @NCLRights on twitter for play by play on the propH8 trial in court right now.

As a full-time student at Cal State Long Beach, I just paid $2,185 to enroll for my final semester as a senior, up over $300 from last semester. Although I’m paying more money, I’m attending less school, as professors have been required to cut back on their teaching days without pay.

This UC and CSU budget deficit has been all over the news. Protests have been taking place at campuses throughout California and many have been speaking out about the negative implications that all of this entails.   In addition to increased tuition, admissions have been cut, school fees have been increased, available classes have been reduced and faculty have been let go without the funding to keep them employed.

CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed announced in November that these budget cuts will produce a 40,000 reduction in student enrollment over the next three years.   “The state needs our graduates to enter the workforce and help the state’s economy recover,” said Reed. “But, when your budget is cut so drastically, we are left with little choice but to restrict our enrollment.”

Limiting admission of students willing and eager to earn a degree is an unfortunate event. Increasing the tuition of those already admitted, in some cases forcing them to leave school as a result of a lack of funding to pay for it, is unfortunate as well.   What’s most unfortunate, however, is that, according to Save The CSU, an organization developed to educate the public on California’s education budget deficit, between 2005 and 2025, “approximately 3 million college graduates will leave the work force.”

With the current budget crisis having such a negative effect on higher education enrollment, once all those employment opportunities begin to open up, what will happen when we find ourselves with not enough college graduates to fill them?  I understand that California’s budget crisis leaves this state in a bad situation. And I understand that reductions must be made as necessary to help California get back on its feet. What I don’t understand is why California’s future, those working to earn an education and make a difference in the world, are the ones forced to pay the price so drastically.