Former Folsom mayor comes out, opposes Prop. 8
With a state gay-marriage vote just days away, former Folsom Mayor Glenn Fait advertised that he's gay and strongly opposed to Prop. 8, which would ban same-sex marriages. "As a gay man, I have a personal interest in Prop. 8," Fait's paid ad in The Telegraph Oct. 22 reads in part. "My civil rights are at stake. That is one reason I ask the people of Folsom to vote no on Prop. 8." While he has no plans to marry, Fait said one intent of his ad was to put give the marriage issue a human face. Fait's quarter-page ad ran on page A17 of The Telegraph. "The ad is extremely courageous," said Dennis Winger, Folsom resident. "The people who say, 'So what?' don't understand why he did it. It was not to announce that he's gay." At a "No on Prop. 8" rally in Folsom Oct. 23, Placerville resident John Savage said of Fait's ad, "I really like it. Sixteen years ago, when my partner died, I had to have his sister come sign for final arrangements." Resident Richard Dean said of same-sex marriage, "I couldn't care less -- if people want to get married, let them get married." Dean's friend Leo Hall, of Phoenix, Az. said most Arizonans, too, are unconcerned about gay marriage, despite Arizona being "a pretty conservative state." "It's immigration that's big in Phoenix politics right now," Hall said. Resident Reema Sereen said, "It doesn't matter as long as you're doing everything others do, maybe doing them better -- being mayor is a big responsibility."
Fait served on the Folsom City Council from 1994 to 1998, and was mayor in 1995-96. "That was kind of a golden age," Fait said. "I signed the contract for the Natoma Bridge, and the contract for the historic Truss Bridge (improvement). We got light rail. I don't want to take a lot of credit for that. Bob Holderness, my predecessor mayor, gets a lot of credit." Fait, an attorney, was instrumental in removing Folsom code-enforcement cases from a crowded legal system, making them administrative matters. Fait said he hadn't had notice of a "No on Prop. 8" rally scheduled today on East Bidwell Street in Folsom, but that he supported it. "I'm obviously very much against Prop. 8, and therefore any constructive ways to get people to vote against it, I'm in favor," Fait said.
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Glenn Fait's advertisement:
PLEASE VOTE NO ON 8
I have lived in Folsom most of my life. I was given the honor of being elected to the City Council and served as Mayor of the City of Folsom.
As a gay man, I have a personal interest in Proposition 8. My civil rights are at stake. That is one reason I ask the people of Folsom to vote no on Proposition 8.
I also ask you to vote no in memory of my Aunt Eleanor Fait. She was one of the best people I have ever known. She lived a full, productive life of service. From her volunteering to serve as one of the first WAC officers during World War II to her work as a State official protecting the rights of women and seniors. Five books were based on her amazing life. Some of you may remember Eleanor as a volunteer at the Folsom Historical Society. Some of you attended her 90th birthday party. Eleanor shared over 50 years of her life with her friend and partner Ruth Ward. They had an enduring relationship the envy of any married couple.
When Eleanor died at age ninety three, Ruth was denied the right to be at her side. Although this happened because of a hospital mix up, I am convinced that they could have been together at the end of Eleanor’s life if they had been married. I don’t know if Eleanor and Ruth would have married, if that had been possible during their lives. But they should not have been denied that possibility.
I ask you to please Vote No on Proposition 8 in memory of my Aunt Eleanor and her partner Ruth.
Thank you,
Glenn Fait, Former Mayor of Folsom
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i personally have nothing against gays in our community, they are there and no one can change that, however a union in marriage should only be reserved for a MAN AND A WOMAN! there is no excuse allowed for anything but.... i do respect the fact that you Mr. Fait have come out of the closet and that you support your own beliefs but do not push us to accept it as a right for gays.
go spend your time and all that money you have on something else like finding a cure........?
Deeleigh: A cure for what? A cure for homophobia? You should be first in line for your vaccination.
I agree that the last comment was inappropriate, and intolerant. I strongly support Proposition 8, but encourage that we be sensitive of others (gays, straights, those that hold "traditional family values", religious folks)
Gulliver, we're definitely dealing with lesser minds in this issue. I don't want to sound insulting but they shoot themselves on the foot.
Same sex couples now have all the rights and privileges of married people. They just dont have the word marriage. They can have committment ceremonies or whatever they want. They just want what you have. And they want everyone to approve of it and love them for it. And they want to make sure your children know all about same sex couples. My ONLY reason for supporting Prop 8 is the lawsuits that will ensue. Pastors who for moral reasons refuse to marry them, photographers, caterers and the like have already been sued for refusing to participate. Where are their civil rights? Where is my right to speak out against what I may see as sin. If prop 8 does not pass, I will lose my freedom of speech. It will be called hate speech.
Regardless of anyone's personal feeling or beliefs, the comments here show a disturbing trend.
The Yes on 8 Supporters across the Internet state their case factually and calmly. They want to have marriage be between one man and one woman.
The No on 8 supporters across the Internet, for the most part, go immediately into attack mode and use name calling and often belittling remarks.
I challenge all readers to search the Internet for any newspaper article or blog on Prop 8, read the comments and see that this is the case.
After you do so, ask yourself why this is the case. Why does one side state their belief in a factual manner and the other side attack them. Proof will be in the comments that follow this. I can guarantee that someone will post something negative about me and my comment and they will be from the No on 8 side. I have not attcked them and yet it will happen.
I support equal rights for everyone, which, all of my legal friends will back me up on....already exists. I also support marriage between one mand and one woman. I support Yes on Prop 8.
Now, watch for the comments to follow
First, your sense that supporters of 8 are calm and state their case factually is incorrect. Just today as I drove through Lincoln I was yelled at by a group of supporters on the side of the road (I have a No on 8 sticker on my car; the second one I have had to purchase due to the first one being torn off) and then three more yelled at me on my cul de sac. I have seen strong feelings on both sides so your point is entirely anecdotal.
Second, I can only speak to my own frustration with supporters of 8. Your support of what you refer to as "traditional marriage" is based entirely on a cultural perspective and not any logical basis in reality. Most supporters are quick to bring religion into the picture because there is no rational defense of the proposition. I am a student of history and see this issue in the same light as previous laws against racial intermarriage. By denying the right to marry to those of the same sex you are practicing discrimination. Do you know anyone who will be affected by this proposition? I imagine not. Just like in 1954 with the Brown decision, the court once again is leading the way in protecting civil rights against the will of the mob.
Lastly, you cannot support equal rights and then deny them at the same time. Also, my guess is you post with the hope of receiving a comment so save us all your histrionics about personal attacks. I have not attacked you personally. I have deconstructed your post. Have a good day.
Glenn, I respect your courage to take a stand against Proposition 8. Now allow me to take a stand on the opposing side. I also believe that my civil rights are at stake. I am voting Yes on 8 because I believe in marriage between one man and one woman. I am voting Yes because I believe in my right to teach my children my views. I urge voters to become informed on the issue and choose for themselves what they believe. I hope they choose to vote Yes on 8.
I respect the former mayor and his courage in taking a stand on this issue. However, there is something more fundamental at issue here. It is religious freedom and liberty. When the California Supreme Court redefined marriage, it opened the door to hostility and intolerance toward religious institutions and people. Current laws regarding hate speech, discrimination, and education will likely be used to inhibit the citizens of California from exercising their religious liberties and rights. It has happened in Massachusetts, Canada, and Europe where marriage was redefined.
I applaud all who seek the benefits of marriage, it is a wonderful institution. But, the costs of redefining marriage are too high and must be avoided. Proposition 8 protects religious liberty and still allows same-gender couples to keep the rights they have been afforded by the legislature.
Prop. 8 is right for California. It is the best compromise to protect all.
Wow. One, same-sex couples now have all the (state-given) rights of married couples because they have equal access to marriage. Prop 8 eliminates that equal access.
Two, the Constitution guarantees the freedom of religion; pastors will not be sued for acting as they believe, and the Supreme Court of California has upheld this. You have every ability to teach your children your views regardless of the law.
Three, we can only have equal rights for all if they are equal under law. Separate institutions are not equal.
Four, do some research before making assertions that aren't true.
NO on 8.
.