My name is Niki Simons and I was raised in Lake County, a place I am very proud to call home. Most of you already know but I am an openly gay 24-year-old woman and Kelseyville graduate of 2002. I was a varsity Soccer, Basketball, and Softball Scholar-Athlete. I went on to play basketball at Santa Rosa Junior College, and went on to finish at Chico State University.
I was recently driving through and passed my own mother”s house, where I found a “Yes on 8″ sign. Prop 8, if passed, will overturn the right of same-sex couples to marry. It will overturn our state Constitution requiring equal treatment of us all. This surprised me since she has had the right to engage in 4 marriages, yet believes I don”t have the right for a single shot at marriage.
I am proud of who I am, gay or not. This town was proud of me when I helped win Championships and earned All-County and MVP honors. I am the same as all of you, and I”m asking for your support.
Some day this could be your daughter, son, niece, nephew, grandson or granddaughter asking for the same support. I”m asking you to look inside yourself and see that we were all born into this world with the same rights and privileges. No one, no matter race, gender, religion or sexuality was born in America with more rights than the other, we are all equal.
You were my friends, classmates, teammates, coaches, fans, teachers, bosses and mentors. You watched me play on the soccer fields, basketball courts and softball diamonds. You helped me shape who I am today, a College Graduate and Student Athlete. Without your help I would not be able to achieve the success I have reached today. Please allow me the same opportunities that you were born with, the same opportunities that you never had to fight or defend.
On Nov. 4, when you go into the voting booth, please think of me, and how I”m no different than any of you, how I grew up and graduated with you, played on your teams and sat in your classrooms. Do I deserve to be treated any different than you? Vote “no” on proposition 8.
Niki Marie Simons
Kelseyville
