Gay rights activists protested the California Supreme Court’s decision Tuesday evening to uphold Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriage. The gathering in the EMU Amphitheatre was one of a series of protests taking place in at least 108 cities as part of a unified response known as Day of Decision.
The University’s LGBTQA organized the event to localize the issue for people outside of California. “I hoped that this would be a ripple effect,” LGBTQA co-director Daniel McCall said, “and other states would reconsider their stances on same-sex marriage.”
Jed Smock, an evangelist preacher carrying a 6-foot cross depicting the crucifixion of Jesus, momentarily delayed the gathering. After talking him off of the floor, organizers commenced with the demonstration.
“It’s not just California this is hurting. This is hurting everyone across the country,” said Jory Card, co-director of LGBTQA. Card then led the crowd in various chants to end California’s ban. After introducing the protest, he opened the microphone for people to voice their opinions.
Speakers urged respect for all American citizens, the universal right of freedom, and the responsibilities of legislators to protect people’s rights. Lucy Gubbins, president of the Alliance of Happy Atheists, explained what she thinks the decision says about contemporary America. “I think it says our Judeo-Christian quasi-heritage is still very strong in American society,” she said.
Members of many campus organizations attended the protest in support of same-sex marriage. Alex Esparza, a representative of MEChA, talked about what the ruling said about California. “It’s highly inappropriate, especially from a state that is supposed to be so oriented towards protecting people’s basic civil liberties,” she said.
During and after the open microphone session, students illustrated their opinions all over the amphitheatre grounds with chalk sticks. McCall talked about the reasons behind this and other public protests: “We have to convince voters that this is an issue that they should support.”
Proposition 8 originally passed on Nov. 4, 2008 in California’s general election. The state Supreme Court officially instituted the constitutional amendment a day after the decision.
In 2004, then-San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom issued city marriage licenses to same-sex couples. After the California Supreme Court annulled the marriages, challenges brought by the city of San Francisco and other parties led the court to overturn an earlier same-sex marriage ban, Proposition 22.
The state legislature passed a bill recognizing same-sex marriage in California in 2005. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger later vetoed the legislation, saying the legislature’s decision was unconstitutional. He said a court decision or vote by California residents would have to make the decision.
Basic Rights Oregon, a statewide LGBTQ rights organization, is circulating a petition in opposition to Proposition 8. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, a nationwide LGBTQ rights organization, is circulating another petition.
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Prop 8 prevails
Daily Emerald
May 26, 2009
Tom Walsh
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