LGBT Citizens and Straight Allies Fight Prop 8

Protests continue across California, as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, people of color, youth, veterans, seniors and straight allies came out to demonstrate for Equality for All.  With the passage of Prop 8, for the first time in California history a slight majority is attempting to eliminate the fundamental rights of a discriminated against minority, contrary to the Equal Protection clause of the California Constitution.

Over 12,500 demonstrators gathered in Silverlake the evening of 8 November 2008, and around the state, to rally, march and make their voices heard and call for the invalidation of Prop 8.  The battle against Prop 8 created the largest GLBT grassroots organization in history, raising over $40m to defend our community from hate, bigotry and discrimination.  Millions of Californians chose Equality over ‘H8’.  The resulting election results have energized GLBT citizens and their straight allies to fight for Equality in a way not seen since Stonewall.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger expressed hope that Prop 8 will be overturned by the California Supreme Court and told the supporters of marriage equality “Never Give up.”  Several cities and counties are considering filing or joining lawsuits to prevent Prop 8 from being enacted until the legal challenge that Prop 8 is an illegal Constitutional revision can be heard, and calling for marriage licenses to again be issued to all citizens.

“Our rights cannot be taken away at the ballot box through the tyranny of the majority,” said Jessica Bair, HRC Governor and co-chair of the HRC Los Angeles Steering Committee. “We live in a Constitutional Democracy, where the courts and fair minded elected officials must step in to ensure the rights of a protected class of citizens.  We will prevail in this fight, and the backers of hate and bigotry have awoken the LGBT community and our allies by attacking our access to the basic human right of enjoying a committed marriage with the person we love."

"The unintended consequence of their actions as been nationwide awareness of our struggle for Equality and a groundswell of action, inspiring the next generation of LGBT leaders and activists.  With the election of Barack Obama, Democratic majorities in the Senate and House, and our other fair minded allies, we will continue the battle for full Equality through Federal legislation and the courts, and we will also restore Marriage Equality here in California!”