Gay Marriage Bans Succeeding

State amendments to ban gay marriage did well across the country with voters in Arizona and Florida approving proposals to outlaw same-sex marriage and Californians on the verge of passing such an amendment in their state.

The proposal in Arizona was a stripped-down version of an amendment that was narrowly voted down two years ago. In Florida, social conservatives spent millions to push their ballot drive:

Florida's gay marriage amendment drew the most attention, with dueling groups pumping more than $5 million into TV advertising and statewide campaigns. Same-sex marriage has been illegal in Florida since 1997, but supporters argued a constitutional shield was necessary to make sure judges would never overturn the law.

And the most closely-watched gay marriage ban, California's Proposition 8, had slightly more support, 52% to 47%, with almost 60% of precincts reporting.

According to the Los Angeles Times:

A measure to ban gay marriage in California led in early returns Tuesday although the final outcome remained in doubt, leaving advocates on both sides in suspense about the most divisive and emotionally fraught contest in the state this year.

Proposition 8 would amend the California Constitution to define marriage as being only between a man and a woman.

Comments

[ludd3]

First post didn't appear. Trying again.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/05/exit-polls-gay-marriage-in-california/ . I'm optimistic about proposition 8 being defeated.

[Atac]

I'm ecstatic Barack Obama won.

but I really hope prop 8 doesn't pass. If that passes in California, what hope is there for gays.

Fortunately, I think a majority of americans support civil union (imo it's semantics, but people are mostly stupid).

It seems like the gay community has to reformulate it's strategy and try to get civil union and adoption rights (horrible that arkansas would ban gay abortion).

As a gay man, I'm saddened that people of America can elect a black man for president, an inspirational message for the world, while at the same time voting for legislation banning gay marriage. How could black people, a repressed minority for so long vote for repression of another minority group.

Shame on you. And shame on the voters of california, arizona, Florida, and people in countless other states. In 40 years, we will look back and see that you were all wrong just as we look back now and see that Jim Crow and segregation was wrong.

[che1111]

let's stop blaming blacks and lay the blame where it belongs - it was the Mormon church that spent thousands of dollars, Christian evangelicals who brought in people from out of state to support this. Too bad Obama is not a Muslim, because it is Christianity in the backwoods parts of the US that is the biggest obstacle to true equality for all Americans.

[rip]

Yes, the Utah Mormons and evangelical christians are to blame for creating this prop and throwing money at it.

However, they didn't vote. Or didn't have enough votes to carry this. Blacks and Latinos listened and bought into the hate and bigotry and voted for this even though virtually every major political leader and organization, both Republican and Democrat came out against this. They chose to ignore reason and decency. They deserve plenty of blame. And plenty of shame.

[ludd3]

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/05/exit-polls-gay-marriage-in-california/ . I'm optimistic about proposition 8 being defeated.

[Icarus512]

It's a shame that on such an amazing and historic night, many men and women across those states are still being denied their rights.