My friend Sarah

I know you’ll be jealous when you see what I got in the mail today:

Yes, addressed to me, personally. Because me and Sarah are tight. A little bit like her hair. And total credit goes to Carol for suggesting that, along with the FREE Alaska travel guide, as a special bonus gift they could include a guide to Russia as well since you can see it from there …

Interesting voting stats

Some interesting voting statistics from the Proposition 8 battleground in California, courtesy of the Equality California Institute (via email):

I am very excited to share with you a major study of voting patterns related to Proposition 8.

The study, authored by Professor Kenneth Sherrill of Hunter College-CUNY and Professor Patrick J. Egan of New York University, was funded by the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund and released in collaboration with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Freedom to Marry and Equality California Institute’s Let California Ring campaign.

Based on polling data funded by Equality California Institute and conducted by David Binder Research, the study found that voters who supported Prop 8 were primarily influenced by:

• Ideology – 82% of voters who identify as conservatives voted “Yes”
• Party – Republicans voted more than 80% in favor of Prop 8
• Religiosity – 70% of weekly church goers voted “Yes”
• Age – 67% of voters born before World War II voted “Yes”

The study also showed that race was not a driving factor in the election, as was purported by the National Election Pool (NEP) poll which said 70% of African-Americans voted for Prop 8. Our study found the number closer to 57% to 59%.

One of the most important–and rewarding–findings was the movement in all groups, except Republicans, toward support for full marriage equality. From 2000 to 2008 we moved Californians 9% in support of same-sex marriage – an amazing change in such a short time!

Find out more about voters and Proposition 8 and download the study at the Let California Ring website.

We will continue our outreach in all California communities and we encourage you to continue sharing your stories with the people in your life as a powerful tool to create change.

Warmly,

Geoff Kors
Executive Director
Equality California Institute

Floored

So exciting! We got the new underlayment installed yesterday. We used a cement board called Hardibacker (only ate two jigsaw blades cutting it), lots ‘o drywall screws, and thinset mortar. We now have a fresh new dry level floor! Also picked up the vanity at Lowe’s today and purchased the floor tile. Tomorrow: getting serious with the drywall.

Carol contemplating placement of first underlayment sheet

Gooping on the thinset

I luvs a woman with power tools.

The lovely new underlayment & patched shower wall

Underlayment laid, glued, screwed, and joint taped