Marriage Equality: A Cup Half Full

In a shocking blow, Californians have voted to ban same-sex marriage: Proposition 8 has narrowly passed. How could voters nullify a courageous decision of the California Supreme Court, and leave thousands of married couples in legal limbo? Ironically, the answer may lie with Obama's victory.

As the Golden State saw record, 60-percent voter turnout, Barack Obama inspired ethnic and minority voters like never before -- with many of them voting for the first time in their lives. But here's the catch: while voting for Obama, many of these folks also voted for Prop 8.

What gives? A number of African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, and Caucasians have not yet come to terms with gay marriage. Exit polls showed that whites were more favorable to Prop 8 than both African Americans (who supported it) and Latinos (who were divided). Specifically, 70 percent of African Americans and 53 percent of Latinos supported Prop 8, while 51 percent of Asian Americans and 51 percent of Caucasians opposed it.

Communities of color, who voted in historic numbers, make up over one-third of all California voters (and a majority of the state's population). Since Prop 8 passed by only 4 points, "yes" votes from the African American community and, to a lesser extent, from the Latino community made a huge impact.

Marriage should be sacred, not a political prop. We need to put another initiative on the ballot -- this time to undo Prop 8.

At the same time, the cup is definitely half full. The Golden State -- and the country as a whole -- has been gradually warming to marriage equality. In 2000, 61 percent of Californians voted against same-sex marriage, when they approved Prop 22 (which the California Supreme Court struck down last May). Eight years later, only 52 percent voted against marriage equality: a refreshing, nine-point drop. This trend line gives ample cause for hope.

As we await our country's first African American President, we must all unite by speaking out for tolerance and understanding.

We have our work cut out for us.

Comments

[dctackett]

personally I think that the anti-8 crowd, though obvisouly hard working, didn't run a very well strategized campaign... the main reasons that pro-8'ers gave... "family, children...."... the pro-8 campaign was terrible, especially at first...

the anti-8'ers seemed to be running an "8 is hate" campaign, though I don't disagree, it's not the way to win over people...

what about parents of gays talking about their children's love, happiness and rights...?

what about some gay couples talking about their love...? some nice looking, non-flaming ones...

what about some heavy hitting "imagine if your were denied the right to marry"... "blacks and whites weren't allowed to marry"... etc...

with such wealth and talent, I'm surprised the anti-8 campaign failed... you'll have my vote, and that of my friends, when it comes up again...

[IndyInde]

The California gay marriage ban is a product of this country's religious bigotry and ignorance. Here's a quote for you:

"Government did not create marriage, and neither politicians nor legislators have the right to redefine its basic meaning," said Brian Brown, executive director of the National Organization for Marriage California.

In this context, marriage is a social contract, and the government and society has every right to define it any way it chooses. In a religious context, every church is free to define marriage its own way, based upon it's religious believes. But to impose those religious beliefs on everyone else is an abomination.

This is one of the primary reasons John McCain was eliminated from my list of potential presidents early on. He is anti-gay marriage and said that he would work to ban it nationally. I could not vote for anyone who would discriminate against any portion of our country like that.

We should be ashamed of ourselves. And no, I am not gay. You don't have to be to saddened by this.

[LeftCoastJack]

I agree for a thousand reasons that Prop. 8 is an outrage. However, I disagree with your view that "we need to put another initiative on the ballot -- this time to undo Prop 8." The notion that the fundamental rights of a protected group may be put to a popular vote is just plain wrong. Our checks and balances system of government does not vest the electorate with the power to decide who is entitled to enjoy a fundamental right. The role of the Constitution and the judiciary is to safeguard a disfavored minority against raw majoritarian power. If a voter initiatiave can strip a minority of the fundamental right to marry, it would be equally proper for a voter initiative to prohibit Mormon missionaries from engaging in door-to-door proselytizing. or to prohibit women from driving automobiles. The possibilities for mischief are endless.
It would be one thing if an initiatve were to eliminate the institution of marriage and replace it with civil unions for everyone. It is entirely another for an initiative to single out gays and lesbians to exclude them from the institution of marriage.
The courts need to clarify that a voter initiative may not be used to strip a protected minority of a fundamental right. If fundamental rights are subject to a popular vote, the California Constitution is gutted - the only rights you have are the rights that 51 percent of the electorate is wiling to grant you, at any given time.

[dctackett]

I agree that the courts need to step up and strike this down... however, don't bet on it... could go either way.

Consider this... marriage is approved and granted by the state or disapproved and denied... The state has, as of yet, a legal overriding right to authorize marriages, justified on the basis of preventing "improper" marriages, such as children, siblings, father/daughter, first cousins, obviously gay, in some cases diseased individuals, historically biracial, etc., as well as for record keeping and ensuring couples are mentally capable and in some cases have had enough time to fully consider it.

Personally I don't think there is any reason to prevent it, it's purely religious... after all don't forget about that invisible, magical, super-powered being that created everything that has given orders, via proxy, for people to follow... of which gayness is not offically approved.

[gaysofla]

I supported Obama when all my LGBT friends were rabid Clinton supporters. Our online magazine endorsed Obama from day one of the primaries. Geo Bustamante, our young associate editor, joined a group of young LGBT HIspanics, including Actor Wilson Cruz, in writing and signing an open letter encouraging Latinos to vote for Obama. In return, straight Black Americans collectively 'bitc* slapped' us in Arizona, Florida and California.

Actress Whoopi Goldberg says that because of Obama’s election, for the first time in her life, she feels “a part of the American Fabric”.

While I am elated with the Election of Obama, my joy is tempered by the fact that those of us in the LGBT community are not yet considered, to use Goldberg’s words, 'a part of the American fabric'.

California, Arizona & Florida voters all voted to enshrine inequality into their respective state Constitutions and, in doing so, put my basic civil rights, including hospital visitations, domestic partner benefits and other legal protections at tremendous risk.

Hell, I'm not asking for a gay or a lesbian to be elected President in order for me to feel like I'm a 'part of the fabric' of this country, I just want to have the same protections and recognitions as my straight counterparts. I trust Obama will be the LGBT ally he promised he would be during this campaign.

David L. Wylie
Senior Editor
http://www.gaysofla.com

[M1]

President....geeze we don't have any gay govenors, gay senators....wake up....until we have protections that is not even a remote possibility.

[craigary]

I think this is really good perspective. It's important to remember that the last such initiative here in California was much more clearly anti-gay marriage (although with less people voting), so even though it is disappointing that it passed, the vote was much closer this time around. It's just sad that people can support civil rights for people of color without supporting it for everyone. To truly be a free country we need to give our blessings to marriage between two people who love each other regardless of race, creed OR orientation. Church and state need to be kept separate.

And the CA initiative process needs a lot of work. we're voting on too many things we shouldn't even be allowed to vote on.

But change will come, soon.

[M1]

Yea great perspective if you want to feel all warm and fuzzy.....­bullshit..­..the war is on. Religion is behind this bigotry and we need to go after it and expose it even if it is hidding itself in minority communities that cling to their religion as a way of surviving oppression. These are good people who are simple being lead by religious leaders who are more interested in advancing their religion than advancing civil rights for all.