Ron There was a recent poll in California that showed 51 percent of all voters approved of gay marriage and that number has been steadily increasing. The election in November should include a larger number of young voters because of the Obama campaign which would decrease the chances of passage of the marriage amendment. Also, a number of legal observers have expressed the opinion that legal marriages conducted now will remain legal even if the November ballot measure passes.

Just for your information: I dropped by the San Francisco City Hall yesterday just to see what was going on. Everything was very calm but with marriages going on a several places around the rotunda -- some even in front of the new Harvey Milk bust in front of the Board of Supervisor's chambers. Four years ago the place was a mad house with lines going around the block and thousands of people all over the place. This year because they had time, everything is by appointment and very relaxed. (The only demonstration on Tuesday was 2 monks in brown habits with a sign saying "Jesuits for same sex marriage" !!!)

Ron,I still live in Sichuan China but my city of Dujiangyan was destroyed during the earthquake last month. I was teaching at the time and escaped along with my students with only a few bruises. Sooo lucky for us all. I have only today been able to get a connection to check emails as we are still very much cut off. I am very happy to be able to connect with the outside world and reality etc for a change from the destruction and woes all around.

From Ron: If you have important news in your area, gay or not, please send to me for posting in Letters from men.