Posted by:

Thoughts on Prop 8 by Lindsey at the Rally

Thursday, November 06, 2008 04:41 AM

Kristin, Kristy, and I went to the Prop 8 protest rally last night on San Vicente in West Hollywood. I was overwhelmed by the turnout. Hundreds of people – some equipped with signs saying things like, "If you don't like gay marriage, don't be in one," "CA elected a black prez, protected the rights of women, pigs, chickens and cows...but not the rights of gay people?" and my personal favorite, "Why does the religion of a few decide a law for us all?" I got chills.

Seeing people get passionate about a topic that is very near and dear to me was so invigorating. The passing of this Prop, even by less that 5%, hurt me deeply not only as a friend of the GLBT community, but as an American and a human being who believes that every person, EVERY person deserves equal rights. But this week I watched discrimination prevail. I am offended that people in my state actually passed a law that is so unfair and hateful. When I hear about times when interracial marriage was forbidden or women were denied the vote,it seems so impossible that people thought this way. But as I passed "Yes on prop 8" signs this week (on my very street!) I wondered how they can proudly declare their hate. It absolutely baffles me.

At last night's rally we were given hope – lawyers in the GLBT community were on the steps of the Supreme Court yesterday morning at 9AM to immediately file a dismissal of this prop as it fucks with California's constitution royalty. Equal rights can not be selective, only allowing certain groups freedoms. We can't say "equal rights, unless it's against something I morally don't agree with." We can't have it both ways. We cant say separation of church and state and claim religion as a reason to take away a group's rights. It's just wrong.

California's Constitution was made so that the majority could not create laws to discriminate against the minority. I'm not sure how the people behind "Yes on prop 8" wrapped their campaign in such deceiving packaging that over half of our state passed a law that actually takes rights away. I was so sad and angry yesterday, but last night gave me hope. Not only are people angry – but they are fueling that anger into positive steps forward. And, as they said over and over last night, this is far from over.