Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "proposition 8"

Gay community forms redistricting group

2011-03-17T01:10:57Z

Gay leaders in Sacramento are organizing an effort for their community to be considered in the city’s redistricting process.

The gay community has formed a redistricting committee through the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce’s foundation.

Rosanna Herber, chair of the new committee, said the center of the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community is in Midtown and downtown.

“We would like to see those areas in one district,” Herber said.

The LGBT population wants to be considered a “community of interest,” which is one of the elements the City Council will use to redesign its districts, Herber said.

Steve Hansen, a member of the city’s advisory redistricting committee who is also active in the gay community’s redistricting effort, said the LGBT vote is now split between three City Council districts in the city’s urban core. Because three council districts represent the area, the gay community’s vote is weakened, he said.

“And we’ve never had a LGBT official on the City Council or on the County Board of Supervisors. Our electoral power has been diluted,” he said.

Specific numbers on how many people identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender in the city are unclear at this point.

The group is using statistics from city voters’ positions on Proposition 8 to show that LGBT community members and supporters are concentrated in the city’s urban core, Hansen said.

In the 2010 U.S. Census, people had the option of filling out information on whether they are married to or living with a same-sex partner.

The data on same-sex couples is expected to be released later this year or early next year, according to Hansen.

Scot Mende, the city’s new growth manager, confirmed that the city has not yet received any Census data on same-sex couples.

If the data is released after September, it may not assist the gay community’s effort with the redistricting process, as the city must complete the process by September, according to the city charter.

Mende said the city doesn’t have Census data to back up a strict geographic boundary for the LGBT community. Still, the city is open to the idea of an LGBT community of interest, he said.

“We are open to anecdotal evidence if someone can explain reasonably well where that community resides,” he said.

View the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber Redistricting Committee's map of Proposition 8 votes in Sacramento County:

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Profile: Assembly candidate Andy Pugno

2010-10-15T23:58:25Z

Andy Pugno drafted the California law that prohibits gay marriage, but his Assembly campaign website does not mention Proposition 8.

Pugno, a Republican and the attorney for Prop. 8 supporters, is competing in a tense race with Democrat Richard Pan for the District 5 Assembly seat. Read a profile of Pan here.

In an interview on Friday, Pugno said he’s not running on the issue of same-sex marriage. Rather, the Folsom resident said he is focusing on the issues of state spending, job creation and local governments’ relationship with the state.

The Sacramento Press asked Pugno if he’s trying to distance himself from Prop. 8 by not mentioning it on his campaign website.

“I’m not trying to distance myself at all,” he said. “Prop. 8 is an issue that has already been decided, and now ultimately rests with the courts. And so, it is not one of the top issues the Assembly is facing. And it is not the purpose of my campaign.”

While he said Prop. 8 is not central to his campaign, he added that his views on Prop. 8 are in line with the views of his district.

Pugno, 37, said he wants to spur job creation in the state by lessening government regulation that hampers employers. He said he wants to “get government out of the way of an economic recovery.”

He criticized wage and hour laws and environmental rules, saying that they hamper businesses. When companies consider whether to buy new equipment, “they can have almost no confidence that the government won’t tell them to replace it next year at great expense,” he said.

Pugno supports Prop. 23, which would overturn the state’s climate change law, AB 32, until the state reaches an unemployment rate of 5.5 percent or lower for four consecutive quarters.

He said it “makes sense to wait until we have a healthier economy to be imposing new mandates on the California businesses.” That could take a long time – California’s unemployment rate was at 12.4 percent in August, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In addition to job creation, another one of Pugno’s priorities is limiting state spending. California’s spending is “out-of-control,” he said, adding that the state needs to “get real” about its revenue projections.

Pugno also wants local governments to have more decision-making power than the state. Decisions are “better made when they are made locally,” he said. He contended that the public has more direct access to local leaders than to state leaders.

The contentiousness in the fight for the District 5 seat is apparent in the two campaigns’ views of Pan’s television ads.

The television ads make comments about Pugno’s views on abortion that Pugno said were “outright lies.” Pugno said the claims used in the ad were not true. He does, however, acknowledge his pro-life position on abortion.

For example, an ad claims that Pugno “spent years working to outlaw” abortion, according to the text of the ad. While he takes a pro-life position, he said he did not work on the abortion issue. The ad also claims that he’s opposed to stem-cell research. He told The Sacramento Press that he is not opposed to stem-cell research.

“I am 100 percent pro-life and I’ve always been very clear about that,” he said. “But the other claims in the ad are false and are designed to portray me as some kind of an extremist.”

Photo courtesy of Pugno's campaign.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Gay Marriages Allowed, Just Delayed

2010-08-12T23:11:38Z

Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker has delayed gay marriages for another 6 days. This gives opponents of same-sex weddings until Wednesday, Aug. 18 at 5 p.m. to get a ruling from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on whether gay marriages should resume.

Diana Ruiz and her partner Nicola Simmersbach share their reaction to Judge Walker's decision with the media today at the County Recorder's Office. Four couples were anticipating obtaining their marriage licenses if the stay were lifted.Patricia Ianni and Angela Luna were anxious awaiting the decision at the County Recorder's Office in downtown Sacramento.

In deciding whether a stay is appropriate, the court looks to four factors:

whether proponents have made a strong showing that they are likely to succeed on the merits;
whether proponents will be irreparably injured absent a stay
whether the stay will substantially injure other interested parties; and
whether the stay is in the public interest.

Reactions from lawmakers and others:
Save California calls Judge Walker "a tyrannical judicial activist" over his Proposition 8 decision today.

Sacramento GLBT Center says postponement of gay marriages is a "huge let-down for couples wanting to marry today."

Christian group ADF says group will file appeal to Ninth Circuit immediately to appeal Prop 8 verdict.

Governor Schwarzenegger says "today’s ruling continues to place CA at the forefront in providing freedom and equality for all people."

Rick Jacobs, Courage Campaign founder and chairman:

"Today's ruling means that in less than one week, equality under the law will be restored for millions of loving families across California. Lifting the stay is ultimately consistent with both legal precedent and the findings in this case. Specifically, that every American has a civil right to marriage, and that by depriving millions of families this right, Proposition 8 is unconstitutional. Judge Walker's ruling affirms that the purpose of our judicial system is to protect our constitutional rights, not to take away those rights. All Americans agree that weddings matter and marriage is the foundation of strong families. Families and the institution of marriage itself can only be strengthened by the inclusion of more committed couples bound by unconditional love and enduring partnership."

In overturning Proposition 8, Judge Walker wrote: “Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license.”

The case will probably be heading to the Supreme Court.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Sacramentans react to landmark Prop. 8 overturn

2010-08-05T00:12:01Z

Sacramentans were expectedly divided following Wednesday’s ruling overturning Proposition 8, which amended the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriage.

Chief Judge Vaughn Walker of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California determined Wednesday that the ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

“Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples,” according to the decision in the case, Perry v. Schwarzenegger.

Vaughn also declared that Prop. 8 “prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis.”

“It was our highest hope for the outcome,” said Tina Reynolds, founder of Equality Action Now, a gay rights group that formed Nov. 5, 2008, the day after Prop 8 was passed by California voters.

“It’s the very best ruling that he could have made,” she added. “It’s equality across the board. We called all the county marriage licensers and told them they’d be busy.”

Reynolds said marriages wouldn’t be possible Wednesday pending the court’s formal ruling, but she expected them to start up in the next few days.

Carla Hass, spokeswoman for the Sacramento-based Protect Marriage, which supports banning gay marriage, declined to comment Wednesday after the decision, saying all public announcements would be made on the group’s website.

As of press time, the group’s website had not been updated.

Groups for keeping marriage between a man and a woman are likely to appeal the decision.

“What a wonderful, wonderful day,” State Senate President pro-Tem Darrel Steinberg said at a press conference Wednesday. “The long, long race for equality is not yet over, but I think we lapped the other side.”

Steinberg added that Judge Walker taught all Californians and Americans a civics lesson.

The ruling was of special importance to Nicole Scanlan, who legally married her wife in the five-month window before Prop. 8 was enacted.

“We are already legally married, but my gay and lesbian brothers and sisters will now be equal,” she said.

Scanlan said she knows firsthand the feeling of being a “second-class citizen” and the change in that feeling when she was legally married.

“When you are able to do something fundamental that all Americans have the right to do...the feeling is indescribable,” she said.

Other couples rejoiced as well, including a pair of women who already tried to marry today and vowed at the press conference that they will be going back to get a marriage license every day until they are granted one.

“I think they should be able to get married,” said Ashlin Washington, who works in Sacramento. “I don’t see anything wrong with it.”

Law student Viana Barbu agreed.

“That’s fantastic,” she said. “Legally, it was the right thing to do. You’re technically not supposed to amend the (California) Constitution that way anyway.”

Though many agreed with the court’s rulings, just as many were opposed, basing their arguments on both religious beliefs and the fact that Prop. 8 was a voter-approved measure.

“Does it matter if you vote on anything anymore?” asked one man in front of the Capitol who declined to give his name.

“I don’t believe in gay marriage,” said Michael Cato. “God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. To me, this is an abomination.”

Sacramento resident Larry Carter agreed, saying the decision should be reversed, as it is against his religious beliefs.

Not all religious sects are opposed to gay marriage, however.

The Very Reverend Brian Baker, dean of the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, said he will happily marry same-sex couples.

“I am thrilled that same-sex couples in the state of California will be able to marry again,” he said at a press conference Wednesday.

Baker added that it is important not to compel anyone to perform a marriage ceremony against his or her beliefs.

Prop. 8 was approved by 52 percent of California voters in 2008 and stopped gays from being married. That ended a five-month period in which about 18,000 gay couples were married.

Two gay couples brought the matter to federal court in January, and Wednesday’s decision was effectively the culmination of that case.

Photos of press conference, Tina Reynolds and Darrel Steinberg by Kati Garner.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Marriage Equality Rally and March at the Capitol

2009-11-06T22:16:36Z

Over 200 people gathered Wednesday night]at the California State Capitol for a rally and march which marked the first anniversary of the passage of Proposition 8.

The event, “A Day of Smiles, Tears and Action,” was led by Equality Action NOW, a grassroots civil rights organization, along with several supporting organizations. The event also followed relevant elections in Maine and Washington on Tuesday.

In Washington, voters approved Referendum 71, keeping a law that expanded state benefits to same-sex domestic partners. In Maine, voters rejected a law passed by the state's legislature and signed by the governor that would have allowed same-sex marriages. Maine is now the 31st state to reject same-sex marriage in a popular vote.

Proposition 8 amended California law to recognize marriage only between a man and a woman.

Last year was not the first time that California voters were presented with a vote to narrow the definition of marriage. In 2000, Proposition 22 passed, approving the same language, “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”

During his speech at the event, EAN volunteer and Camp Courage representative Chris Hauck pointed out the positive difference between the two propositions. While Proposition 22 won by over 22 points, Proposition 8 won by less than five points. Hauck also noted that Proposition 8 was not supported by a majority of voters in areas like Santa Barbara and Irvine, areas where an overwhelming majority supported Proposition 22 almost a decade ago.

Proposition 22 was eventually overturned by the California Supreme Court, allowing gay marriage for approximately five months before the passage of Proposition 8. Proposition 8 was upheld in the California Supreme Court last May in Strauss v. Horton.

As the ongoing judicial and legislative battle ensues, national groups including the American Civil Liberties Union are discouraging further legal action, saying it could do more harm than good. Instead they recommend making changes at the ballot box.

Jennie Reiken, Sacramento field manager for Equality California, strongly encouraged attendees to start canvassing. She encouraged people to educate those around them by having one-on-one conversations about their relationships.

“While the event was held to commemorate the passing of Proposition 8 and the resulting year of inequality, the rally was held to encourage people to get involved in any way they can and provide ample volunteer opportunities," EAN spokesperson Hilary Hodge said after the rally.

Following the march, several organizations made sign-up sheets available to participants. EAN recognizes there is a difference of opinion between marriage equality activists on whether to try voters again in 2010 or 2012. Whenever the issue returns to the polls, Tina Reynolds, co-founder of EAN has stated, “(EAN) does not take a stand one way or another since choosing a date has worked to polarize our community. We will be there whenever a rally, a vote, a stand needs to be made, and we will support all of our brothers and sisters in solidarity.”

In the near term, grassroots efforts in Sacramento continue, including an intensive two-day training called Camp Courage Sacramento this Saturday and Sunday. The training is designed to teach community organizing skills for marriage-equality activists. Registration information is available here. A fundraiser for Camp Courage will be held this tonight at Head Hunters located at 1930 K Street in midtown Sacramento.

A brief timeline:

March 7, 2000 – Proposition 8 passes in the Primary Election

May 15, 2008 – Proposition 22 overturned by California Supreme Court (in re: marriage cases)

Nov. 4, 2008 – Proposition 8 passes in the General Election

May 26, 2009 – Proposition 8 upheld by California Supreme Court (Strauss v. Horton)

Demonstrators rally at Capitol in response to Prop 8 decision

2009-05-27T07:17:00Z

Lisa Gorden and JDD Doran-Jammer, both blind, trailed behind the crowd of people marching around the Capitol, echoing their chants “Hey hey, ho ho, discrimination has got to go.”

Although they are not gay and said marching with crowds is difficult given their physical disposition, the two friends joined in Tuesday’s rally against the California Supreme Court’s upholding of Proposition 8.

“I’m just real sad and mad about the Prop. 8 decision. It just seemed important to come out in the heat and support this,” Gorden said. “We have plenty of noise to follow.”

Gorden and Doran-Jammer were two of an estimated 2,000 who appeared at Tuesday’s rally, organized by Equality Action NOW, which refers to itself as a Northern California grassroots civil rights organization. The rally began at the Gay and Lesbian center at the intersection of 20th and L Streets and continued with a march to the west Capitol steps, where a demonstration followed.

Among speakers at the demonstration were Senate President Pro-Tem Darrell Steinberg, Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), Assemblyman Bill Monning (D-Monterey), joined by religious speakers, spoken-word artists, musicians, organizations such as Marriage Equality USA, Courage Campaign, NOW, Stonewall Democrats of Sacramento and representatives of Meet in the Middle 4 Equality.

Steinberg expressed his admiration for “people who are willing to take [their] own struggles out to the streets.”

“It’s not about sex, it’s about love,” said Ammiano, who is openly gay. “It’s always been about love.”

Other speakers expressed anger and frustration, identifying the court’s decision as a disappointment and a failure to protect the rights of minorities in a democracy, as well as hope for the future of gay and lesbians and their families. They encouraged participants to continue to be active beyond the rally.

“Rallies are great…movements are better,” said speaker Dayne Damme.

Several speakers addressed the group of demonstrators across the street from the Capitol holding yellow “Celebrate Prop 8!” signs. Jorge Riley explained that he and some of the other 16 demonstrators were former members of the American River College student government that passed a resolution to endorse Prop. 8 in October.

“We want to be the alternative voice,” said Michael Hart, who was demonstrating with the former ARC students.

“It’s always important to show both sides and leave it to the people to decide,” Riley said.

Riley added that he was there to “support good family values” and that he was not demonstrating to endorse hate.

Jade Beranski of Equality Action NOW said that considering the heat and that it was a work night, she was satisfied with the turnout at the rally.

To read about yesterday’s initial reactions to the upholding of Prop. 8, visit the following link:

Initial Reaction

*AUTHOR’S NOTE: ALL PHOTOS TAKEN BY JONATHAN MENDICK AND JENN WALKER OF SACRAMENTO PRESS*

Prop 8 decision: initial reaction

2009-05-27T00:21:51Z

There was a strange combination of emotions in Headhunters Video Lounge and Grill around 10 a.m. when the California Supreme Court decided to uphold Proposition 8, the state constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages. Perhaps it was the nature of the initial announcement, which was shouted by an on scene KOVR 13 reporter while hearing the breaking news through a cellphone.

Several people cried, but most didn't have time to react, because stations like KXTV 10, KOVR 13, and KTXL 40 were already on the scene videotaping and interviewing people about their initial reactions outside of Headhunters. After the crowd of nearly 100 calmed down a bit, Laurie McBride and Paul Curtis of the No on Prop 8 Fundraising Committee explained the decision, which was a 6-1 decision to reject challenges to Prop 8, and a unanimous decision to have existing marriages remain valid.

"I hope they repeal Prop 8, but the reality is we're prepared if they don't," said Tina Reynolds of Equality Action NOW in an interview minutes before the decision. Through a megaphone, she led the crowd in cheers before and after the decision at the grill and video lounge.

"We are filled with hope. This is not the end, this is just our new beginning. We are going to have true equality!" said Reynolds to a fervent crowd after the decision.

"I'm not at the point of my life where I'm ready to get married, but there are plenty of people I'm surrounded by who are," said Jade Baranski, 23, of Equality Action NOW. "And I feel like their love is being invalidated. This is our generation's Civil Rights Movement."

Later, an 11 a.m. press conference in front of the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center featured speeches from Gretchen Bender, President of the Sacramento County Board of Education, Dave Jones of the State Assembly, and Doreena Wong of Asian Pacific Islander Equality, along with several religious leaders.

"This is the first day of a new movement to show our state and the whole country that freedom, family, and civil rights should never be the subject of a popularity vote," said Bender, who married her wife during the six month period before last November, and has a 4-month-old child.

"18,000 lesbian and gay couples living in our communities throughout the state of California [are] demonstrating each and every day that they can love just like love everyone else," said assembly-member Jones to a cheering crowd in front of the Gay and Lesbian Center of Sacramento. "[Because of] the incongruity of that with this decision, I am confident that we will prevail."

"50 percent of me is really happy because I get to stay married, [because] my partner and I got married last October after being together for 18 years," said Jason Lindo, who brought his framed marriage certificate. "Part of me is really pissed."

"I'm now in a completely unique and, I find, repulsive, legal category," Lindo added. "Having something the rest of California can't have, just because I happened to be available for a wedding within that six months."

Read the court's press release on the decision here.

Equality Action NOW has the following events scheduled for tonight:

Until 5 pm: Sign making at the Gay & Lesbian Center (Headhunters will also remain open) – 20th and L Streets

5:30 pm: Rally – 20th and L Streets

6:30 pm: March to the Capital – West Steps of Capitol on 10th and L

7:00 pm: Capitol Program begins

What's happening at the Capitol: May 25, 26

2009-05-24T23:29:16Z

Monday, May 25

12-1 p.m. Elk Grove Civil War Round Table will be holding a Civil War Memorial walk and rally near the fish pond. Fifty people are expected to participate.

1-2 p.m. A 21-gun salute will be held in memorial of the Mexican-American War near the Mexican-American Veterans Memorial just north of the traffic circle on 10th Street and Capitol Avenue. Seventy-five people are expected to attend.

Tuesday, May 26

7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Happy Tails, a no-kill facility dedicated to protecting and improving the lives of homeless and abused animals, according to their website, will be holding a bake sale on the north and south entrances of the Capitol.

11 a.m.- 3 p.m. Caravan for Justice will hold its third rally at the Capitol, for "thousands of Californians who have grown fed up with laws and policies that continue to undermine our freedoms and destroy the most valuable and humane of infrastructures called: FAMILY AND RELATIONSHIPS," says the flier. Three thousand people are expected on the north steps of the Capitol.

1-3:30 p.m. 9-1-1 For Kids will be holding a press conference on the north steps of the Capitol for 100 expected people.

6-7 p.m. A private wedding will be held near the rose garden.

7 p.m.* - All Night?* As explained in an earlier Sacramento Press article, if Proposition 8 is upheld, Equality Action NOW will lead a march from the Center to the Captiol's west steps, where another rally with entertainment and an open mic for speakers will be held. If the crowd remains engaged, there will be an all-night youth rally led by Enrique Manjarrez, Youth Program Coordinator of the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center.

*7 p.m.: This event is contingent on Prop 8 ruling.
*All Night: This depends on crowd interest.

No on Proposition 8 rallies intensify in Sacramento

2008-11-10T14:34:03Z

After Proposition 8 passed last week there was an immediate response. I walked out of a late lunch in midtown into a large rally for No on 8. That rally had a very serious tone of anger and disappointment.

Yesterday afternoon there was another No on 8 protest. This one was much bigger with thousands of people marching on the Capitol. The tone was already more hopeful and defiant. Protesters carried signs instead of the candles of last week's rally.

The Sacramento Police and California Highway Patrol presence was strong. They followed protesters down the Capitol mall and L street to Lavender Heights on the corner of 20th and K streets.

After yesterday's rally I got a chance to speak with some protesters and I hope they will come share their stories of what it was like to be on the ground and in the middle of the event. If you were at the events please share your experience by becoming a writer.

Rally Denies Proposition 8

2008-11-06T22:10:53Z

You could hear the chants to the front door of The Waterboy. You could see the glow of the candlelight from The Embassy. The intensity could be felt for miles around.

While most were swimming in the honeymoon of an Obama ratification, many were feeling left out of the party. But hundreds of those still fighting for equality decided to exercise their constitutional rights by staging a rally in front of the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center at 20th & L streets. Hoisting signs that read, "America = Equality 4 Some" and "Marriage is a human right, not a heterosexual priviledge (sic)," these protesters swore to continue the fight. Their beef is with the passing of Proposition 8; a contemptible ballot measure that bans same-sex couples from marrying. Some at the evening rally looked stunned. Some looked furious. Regardless of their reaction to how people voted, they agree that this battle is far from over.

PROP 8 PASSES! (What your neighbors have to say about it.)

2008-11-05T09:49:58Z

DEAR CALIFORNIA:

BREAKING NEWS - PROP 8 HAS PASSED!!

On November 4th I spent another full day protesting on the corners of Greenback and Sunrise. Screaming, honking, neon signs, carpol tunnel, and all that good stuff. Though as the polls closed at 8pm, I had to find something else to do with my evening.

I heard an announcement on the radio about a Prop 8 party being held at the Hyatt Hotel on L street. Obviously - I was inclined to visit it. The event had a very classy set up, with exotic cheeses and camera crews. The people who attended were overwhelmingly enthusiatic, while watching one of the four giant TVs they had set up in the corners of the room which read the suspenseful poll results. During my visit, I got a few people to give me some of their opinions on PROPOSITION 8.

Jasmine, 16 years old (YES on 8)

"Prop 8 is important to me mainly because of my beliefs in traditional marriage. I am a devout christian and believe that families should infact be started by the marriage between a man and a woman. I believe nothing is being taken away, it's just being kept the same. The innocence of children would be corrupted which in hand would make them question the societies flawed view on marriage."

David, 19 years old (YES on 8)

"I believe in marriage being pure. I have participated in several rallys and done my best in standing to my ground under pressure. I want marriage to be secure and restored. In regards to teaching children about gay marriage in school - I would not like for my children to have that misconception implanted into their minds."

Marlene, 54 years old (NO on 8)

"I haven't participated much in endorcing either side, but was made very aware of the issue once seeing how many people wanted to get married. Domestic partnership just doesn't offer everything that a marriage offers. If prop 8 were to pass, I would be dissapointed in how many people felt negatively about the issue."

Marcie, 35 years old (YES on 8)

"Prop 8 is extremely important to me because it threatens the foundations of a family. To endorce my beliefs I passed out flyers, put up signs, stole signs so I could use them elsewhere, and went to a couple rallys.If prop 8 were not to pass, I would pull my children out of public schools."

Alex, 18 years old (YES on 8)

"I want my kids to be taught about a traditional marriage. I voted YES on prop 8, and went to rallys for 3 days straight. If prop 8 didn't pass, i'd be pissed and start a riot."

Cody, 22 years old (NO on 8)

"I'm straight - NO on h8!"

Bob, 25 years old (YES on 8)

"Prop 8 is about family values, teaching right from wrong, natural from unnatural and allowing religious freedom. Marriage is a religious constitution and if you're not religious, then don't practice it. I posted many ads on craigslist and held some of the biggest signs on Sunrise and Greenback. I hope prop 8 passes, otherwise I would feel that my rights are being trampled and religious freedom is being restricted.

The head speaker concluded the event with a few words...

"Prop 8 has passed, and it's not about descrimination. Gays and lesbians still have rights in the state of California."

Prop 8 attracts hundreds

2008-11-04T21:43:38Z

On November 3, 2008 I found myself on Greenback and Sunrise joining a crowd of people advertising their beliefs...

There were tons of wild people, thousands of signs with different hilarious and descriminating slogans (from both parties), cars decked out in their signs, and cops rolling their eyes.

Sure - I bet a lot of them didn't even know what prop 8 was, they just wanted something to do, but regardless, it was quite the experience.

Check it out! As the night rolled in, so did the people.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-qKvS12-HY

Know what you're supporting - one way or another :)