Some children were out on the playground for recess and found a little lost kitten. Taking it into their classroom, they protected it and comforted it. Finally, one child asked, “Teacher, is the kitten a girl kitten or a boy kitten?” The teacher replied, “how do you think we can tell?” One little boy raised his hand and said, “I know. We can vote!”

While I used to think this little story was preposterous, I now find some people in our world actually believe that gender can be determined by a vote.

These same people, a small minority of 2 to 3 percent of the total population, are trying to force their agenda on the rest of us as well as on children in public school. These innocent and impressionable children are being totally confused and unfairly misled about the “facts of life.”

We bring our gender with us when we come to this earth. We will take it with us when we leave. Though some may try to vote and “change” their gender, the truth is that they never will. I have much sympathy for those so haunted and plagued by this horrendous conflict in their lives. Though they are allowed to do as they wish, they are not allowed to determine the consequences of their actions. Neither should we allow this small percentage of people to impose their troubles on us and their children.

Changing the delimitation of a term cannot change the feelings a person has about himself when his actions are in direct opposition to the very nature of his being. If members of the gay community are looking for acceptance, peace, happiness, joy and personal comfort by changing the definition of marriage, they will be sadly disappointed. Those qualities are found only by living in a way that fulfills the characteristics of one’s own gender.

Unfortunately, innocent bystanders already are feeling the negative consequences of the actions of those who feel their own selfish desires are superior to the laws of the universe. Has our tolerance of others’ rights led us to forgetting these laws? Are we, the 97 percent majority who live in peace and accordance with our gender, going to invite and allow great troubles by our failure to stand up for our own rights?

Counterfeit marriage never can raise a child by combining the efforts of the tenderness and compassion of the female united with the strength and protection of the male. Persons of opposite gender are intended by nature to complement and supplement each others’ natural gifts, talents and tendencies in the bearing and raising of children. Counterfeit marriage never will produce offspring as nature provides. Counterfeit marriage robs a child forever of at least half of his own heritage and identity. How healthy can that be?

California Family Code section 297.5 already gives gays and lesbians “the same rights, protections and benefits” as married spouses. Voting yes on Proposition 8 will not change these rights, protections and benefits.

The facts remain. People cannot create or determine their gender with a vote. Only a union between a man and a woman, persons of opposite gender, brings true happiness and peace.

May we all wake up before Nov. 4. Put a final stop to this heinous disregard for procreation as it exists in all of nature, including human nature. Vote yes on Proposition 8.

(Edwards lives in Napa.)