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Prop 8 National Rallies Today in All 50 States

By Jeralyn, Section Social Justice
Posted on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 07:12:00 AM EST
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There will be rallies in all 50 states today to protest California's Prop. 8.

They begin at 8:30 am in Hawaii, 10:30 in Pacific time zone states, 11:30 Mountain Time, 12:30 Central and 1:30 in Eastern time zone states.

There's still time for you to join in. You can get details at Join the Impact.

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    Prop 8 National Rallies Today in All 50 States | 50 comments (50 topical)
    Way too late (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by koshembos on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 11:17:26 AM EST
    The clique that ran the No on 8 campaign has screwed up royally. They didn't listen to anyone, they were solely gay, they didn't run as a civil rights campaign and they were not good at what they were suppose to do.

    Turning the wheel back will not be easy.

    For some who voted for (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by KeysDan on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 03:02:32 PM EST
    Proposition 8 in California, or Amendment 2 in Florida, the issue went beyond opposition to same sex marriage and served as a "respectable" cover for opposition to all civil rights for gay men and women. We still hear calls to stop special rights for gays or to  thwart the so-called gay agenda--which takes away the fig leaf since agendas involve a list.  It would be interesting to know what other agenda items are objectionable and should be taken away.

    I went to the rally here in Kzoo (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by shoulin4 on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 06:36:01 PM EST
    It was colder than a witches . . . well, anyway it was cold. But we stuck through it :)

    I went to the one in Los Angeles (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by IzikLA on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 11:05:29 PM EST
    It was 85 degrees!  The smoke from the fires in the area took over early in the afternoon though.  It was my second rally for this and it is great to see everyone finally waking up to the issue.  Prop 8's passage was a wake up call and, as depressing as the result was, I truly feel that change is imminent.  We, as a community, need to stay focused on educating people and making sure we are heard.  We need to stay positive and not resort to ruthless tactics.  And contrary to the commenter above stating that they would be uncomfortable telling someone they voted the wrong way, we absolutely need to voice why this issue matters to everyone and we need to be persuasive in our arguments so that we can change the outcome next time.

    [ Parent ]
    I was telling (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by shoulin4 on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 11:32:41 PM EST
    my boyfriend how important it this was, because we're planning on getting married and, if it weren't for the fact that "the traditional view of marriage had already been changed before," I wouldn't be able to marry him because he's white and I'm black. He came with me to the protest today.

    On a funny note, our crowd got alot of honks (we were on a busy street), but we also got one guy who drove by us and yelled "COMMUNISTS!" I couldn't stop laughing for like 10 minutes, I thought it was so hilarious, like he couldn't think of anything worse to call us, so he just called us communists, lol.

    [ Parent ]

    Thanks for the support (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by IzikLA on Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 12:39:18 AM EST
    And for helping to educate those around you too.  I believe that is the most important part.  For the most part the rallies have been extremely positive and it is so amazing to see all the support we have from all races both gay and straight.  It has also been wonderful to see so many families out there whether they are children with gay parents or parents with gay children or gay parents with adoptive or biological children.  The human faces are what will ultimately help us turn this thing around.  

    Oh, and that MLK quote you referenced is getting a lot of attention here on posters and such.  I think that is a step in the right direction.  It is good outreach IMHO.

    [ Parent ]

    I went to the rally in Napa. (none / 0) (#29)
    by coigue on Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 12:48:21 PM EST
    There were 300-500 people in our small community and it was fun to see people who I would not have expected to be there.

    [ Parent ]
    They will be protesting California voters? (3.00 / 2) (#1)
    by BrassTacks on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 01:53:35 AM EST
    I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that.  It's not my state.  Lots of Black folks feel like those voters feel, right or wrong, it's how they feel.  Most of my Black kin feel the same way as those voters.  I just wouldn't feel right telling them they voted wrong in their state.  I wouldn't want anyone telling me that I voted wrong for something in my state.

    It's about equal rights for everyone (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by nycstray on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 04:13:23 AM EST
    and not just in CA.

    In CT they just legalized SS marriage. They have over 500 laws tied into "marriage" that SS couples can now be a part of, just like you and me.

    [ Parent ]

    Some issues shouldn't be up for a vote--ever (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by andgarden on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 09:08:28 AM EST
    I blame the California system of government.

    [ Parent ]
    Just California? (5.00 / 2) (#11)
    by Fabian on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 02:13:39 PM EST
    There are many states that passed anti gay ballot measure(s).

    Ohio was one.  This year we also shot down our fourth gambling measure and pushed back hard against payday lending via ballot measures.

    I don't think that civil rights should be up for a vote    , but until the courts rule, we are stuck with this system.

    [ Parent ]

    The 50% threshold for a constitutional amendment (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by andgarden on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 02:20:26 PM EST
    is what stings.

    The "progressive" reformers who came up with that idea were morons.

    [ Parent ]

    Voters shouldn't be allowed to vote (1.00 / 1) (#21)
    by BrassTacks on Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 02:50:43 AM EST
    On some issues?  Judges should make the laws for them?

    Wow.  I REALLY disagree with 3 people dictating law to an entire state.  Either people, or their elected representatives,  should make the laws.  Even laws we disagree with.  Three judges should not dictate laws for a state.

    [ Parent ]

    Gee. I wonder why (3.00 / 2) (#27)
    by coigue on Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 12:42:40 PM EST
    we have SCOTUS, in your mind then? Should the majority always be allowed to determine minority rights?

    [ Parent ]
    Newsflash! (1.00 / 1) (#43)
    by BrassTacks on Tue Nov 18, 2008 at 03:01:22 AM EST
    Courts do NOT make laws.  Feel free to look that up in the Constitution.  Courts do NOT make laws, the people and their representatives make laws that govern themselves.  Really.  You can look it up.  

    [ Parent ]
    Yes (1.00 / 1) (#44)
    by BrassTacks on Tue Nov 18, 2008 at 03:02:32 AM EST
    In a democracy, the people should be in charge.  It's a simple concept.  Majority rules.  I bet even you have heard of it.

    [ Parent ]
    We don't live in a democracy (none / 0) (#47)
    by coigue on Tue Nov 18, 2008 at 05:46:41 PM EST
     live in a republic. And we have something else. It's called a Bill of Rights. And there is an entire philosophy behind it meant to protect the minority from the tyranny of the voters.

    Again, you are sounding like Newt Gingrich here.

    Every once in a while your true colors show through.

    [ Parent ]

    You wouldn't know my color if (1.00 / 1) (#49)
    by BrassTacks on Tue Nov 18, 2008 at 11:19:26 PM EST
    It hit you over the head with a 2 by 4.  

    Grow up.

    [ Parent ]

    Puh'lease (none / 0) (#50)
    by coigue on Wed Nov 19, 2008 at 06:19:00 AM EST
    you hit all of us over the head with it all the time.

    [ Parent ]
    Not Directed Towards Blacks (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by liberalone on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 09:51:20 AM EST
    I doubt that the protests will occur in black neighborhoods or even pass through black neighborhoods, which is a a part of the problem.  

    I feel that mass protest is not the strategy that will help sway public opinion on this issue.  A massive door to door strategy is what helped Prop 8 to pass.  I believe more individualized strategies will work much better.

    [ Parent ]

    Along with $40 million, (none / 0) (#14)
    by KeysDan on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 02:40:50 PM EST
    half of which came from Mormons.

    [ Parent ]
    So what? They didn't vote in CA (none / 0) (#20)
    by BrassTacks on Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 02:48:12 AM EST
    But 14% of the CA votes were Blacks who voted 70% for the prop.  

    [ Parent ]
    So what??? (none / 0) (#25)
    by KeysDan on Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 09:40:37 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    black folks (none / 0) (#37)
    by oldnorthstate on Mon Nov 17, 2008 at 09:53:38 AM EST
    by and large don't like the "gay agenda".  and if you try to point out the irony given their history with civil rights, you'll get laughed at.  i know this from personal experience.

    [ Parent ]
    And, also a large percentage (none / 0) (#24)
    by easilydistracted on Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 07:52:40 AM EST
    of the Hispanic/Latino and Asian voters.

    [ Parent ]
    Nope (none / 0) (#35)
    by coigue on Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 06:02:45 PM EST
    Asians voted against 8, and Latinos voted for it 51%, not really  huge compared with 70% of AAs and 85% of Republicans.

    If you are voting with 85% of Republicans, frankly, you have something to think about.

    [ Parent ]

    I apologize it my facts were incorrect (none / 0) (#36)
    by easilydistracted on Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 07:06:29 PM EST
    It was my understanding that the AAs voted yes about 70%, Latinos, yes, approx 51%, with whites and Asians virtually split, according to exit polling.  

    [ Parent ]
    Maybe I am remembering wrong (none / 0) (#39)
    by coigue on Mon Nov 17, 2008 at 05:07:54 PM EST
    but my rtecollection is that Asians were the one group that voted against it.

    [ Parent ]
    It motivates those (none / 0) (#28)
    by coigue on Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 12:43:43 PM EST
    who agree with equality and bring national attention to it.

    It's a start.

    [ Parent ]

    are you joking? (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by kenosharick on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 10:45:30 AM EST
    You would not feel "comfortable" telling bigots that they are wrong? I guess you were ok with those who opposed giving women & blacks the vote and to those who oppose (to this very day)interracial marriage. Your attitude is appalling and pathetic. Sorry- these people STOLE civil rights from me and I am pissed. Feelings be damned.

    [ Parent ]
    Sorry that you are stuck in a state filled (1.00 / 1) (#22)
    by BrassTacks on Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 02:52:44 AM EST
    With bigots.  Perhaps you should move if you don't like how the people in your state vote.  Heck, I hate lots of things they do in CA.  That's why I don't live there.  But if they like it that way, I'm not going to tell them how to live in their state.  To each his own, and all that.  Tolerance, and all that.  

    [ Parent ]
    wow (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by oldnorthstate on Mon Nov 17, 2008 at 09:57:44 AM EST
    you just leave me scratching my head.  with that attitude, you'd still be in the back of the bus.  were it not for people from outside states or the outside of the confederacy for that matter, things would be very different.  once again, stike while the irony is hot.

    [ Parent ]
    her civil rights aren't up for discussion (none / 0) (#48)
    by coigue on Tue Nov 18, 2008 at 05:47:47 PM EST
    can't you tell?

    [ Parent ]
    To that, I say this (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by shoulin4 on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 10:58:15 AM EST
    "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
    - Martin Luther King, Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail

    And this.

    [ Parent ]

    Oh, and (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by shoulin4 on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 11:01:30 AM EST
    I certainly feel comfortable telling my kin when they're wrong. I don't give a rat's you-know-what how they feel about it. If you're wrong, you're wrong. Period.

    [ Parent ]
    You wouldn't? (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by Spamlet on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 12:48:01 PM EST
    So what?

    [ Parent ]
    THat's couse you are a wussy. (1.00 / 1) (#31)
    by coigue on Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 12:50:07 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    ..'cause. (1.00 / 1) (#32)
    by coigue on Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 12:50:28 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    So what controls. (none / 0) (#3)
    by Saul on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 08:50:06 AM EST
    If each state voted on how to define marriage would that be fair.

    What instrument is the fairest way to define marriage that involves all the people not just some of the people?

    There has to be a legal way to settle this.  If you just say I can do whatever I want it will never be settled.  I think it must be settled legally in order to make sure all the legal ramifications that come with marriage are equal for everyone.

    It's legal nowm by definition. Any man can marry (1.00 / 1) (#23)
    by BrassTacks on Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 02:54:16 AM EST
    Any woman of his choice.  And vice versa.  

    [ Parent ]
    Yet I can't marry (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by IzikLA on Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 03:09:58 PM EST
    The person that I love.  How would it make you feel if you couldn't marry the person you love?  

    And why do you even care what I do with my life?  It boggles my mind.

    [ Parent ]

    I don't care at all what you do with your life, (1.00 / 1) (#42)
    by BrassTacks on Tue Nov 18, 2008 at 02:57:58 AM EST
    Nor would I care if I couldn't get married.  Most of my life I wasn't married, I just lived with the man that I loved.  Perhaps you could the same?

    [ Parent ]
    Marriage has NEVER invloved ALL people (1.00 / 1) (#45)
    by BrassTacks on Tue Nov 18, 2008 at 03:03:07 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    anti-8 rallies (none / 0) (#12)
    by DaveOinSF on Sat Nov 15, 2008 at 02:16:10 PM EST
    the rallies have been too couched with the rhetoric of the Obama campaign.  Too much "yes we can" and not enough introspection about the fact that 40% of the Yes vote came from Obama voters.  I also think calling those who voted Yes as Hateful is counterproductive. For the next round, actually making a positive argument about gay marriage would be a better strategy than closeted appeals for "equality".

    Please take a look at this proposed solution (none / 0) (#26)
    by MyLeftMind on Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 12:29:50 PM EST
    and give some feedback.

    How Barack Obama Can Solve the Gay Marriage Issue

    The short version of the article is:

    1. Gay marriage = wedge issue that divides our country and hurts progressives by empowering bigots and Republicans.
    2. Obama's historic presidential bid was all about creating change to reduce the divisions that hurt our country.
    3. Pres Clinton's attempt to make progressive change with gays in the military met huge resistance and failed, but he was mostly on his own without public or congressional support.
    4. Obama doesn't have to stick his neck out, but the Dem party needs to resolve this issue because the Religious Wrong will continue to use it as a fundraiser, a GOTV strategy and a way to keep the culture wars alive.
    5. Because some states allow civil unions/gay marriage, Congress should establish federal support for the new marital structures, including revisions to IRS law, military policies, etc.
    6. Long term goal should be to separate civil unions & religious marriage, give the word marriage back to the churches and rename state sanctioned marital contracts (gay or straight) to civil unions, reinforcing the separation of state and church.
    7. State's rights will continue to allow bigots to discriminate, but repealing DOMA (an Obama campaign pledge) and reinstating "full faith & credit" forces states to accept other states civil union licenses will mean gays in discriminatory states will be able to go to a state that supports progressive marriage equality and have access to federal marriage rights.  

    I put a lot of history and background in the blog post, but if your eyes glaze over, just breeze past to the solutions I'm proposing.  Sorry it's so long, but I wanted to be comprehensive in the analysis so we don't rehash old arguments or go off in extraneous directions.  

    I am having a hard time (none / 0) (#30)
    by coigue on Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 12:49:42 PM EST
    reconciling #1 and #4

    [ Parent ]
    Progressives should push to have (none / 0) (#40)
    by MyLeftMind on Mon Nov 17, 2008 at 05:12:27 PM EST
    marriage equality on the table as one of the mandates of our historic election for change.  Obama can sit back and work on important issues like the war in Iraq, Gitmo, torture and the economy.  He can recind DADT as one of his campaign commitments, while Sen. Kennedy and Rep Pelosi and others work on repeal of DOMA and federal recognition & accomodation for the few civil union/ gay marriage structures in states that allow them.  That would mean changes to the IRS code, etc.  If repeal of DOMA isn't enough to do so, Congress should reestablish the full faith and credit clause between states, which means liberal state gay marriages will be accepted in any state as valid marriages/civil unions.  Ted Kennedy gets to establish himself as part of the great civil rights traditions of John and Bobby Kennedy, and Nancy Pelosi gets called a wild eyed feminist liberal, again.  

    Obama can simply sign on when it's finished in Congress, and present it as a solution that heals divisions in society, his desire to do what's right for all Americans, the parallels with the black civil rights movement, etc.  His role will be to create acceptance with quotations that help promote a sensible, ethical response in minority communities, especially in churches.

    Then we all just sit back and watch the change unfold.  Just like with the black civil rights movement, it sometimes takes government intervention for positive social change.  Gay marriage will have no effect on the sactity of marriage elsewhere, and might even increase marriage longevity stats for those states that allow it.  Most importantly, the wedge issue will be nullified.  States can still do what they want, except to oppress gays married in other states.  Federal government will provide full, 100% access to marriage rights.

    Viola, finis!  


    [ Parent ]

    THere was grassroots (none / 0) (#41)
    by coigue on Mon Nov 17, 2008 at 10:25:25 PM EST
    pressure for Johnson to sign the CRA. Lots of it. There needs to be here too. Lots of it, disciplined and we need to fight in the streets, in the states, in the courts and all of that at the fed level.

    Kos has an interesting FP article about prop 8 today and I think it is a nich opener for a discussion of what is next and what the role of the grassroots is vs the role of those with power.

    [ Parent ]

    I think you're number 6 is spot on... (none / 0) (#34)
    by of1000Kings on Sun Nov 16, 2008 at 04:40:12 PM EST
    need to separate the religious connotations of marriage from the civil...

    [ Parent ]
    How do you propose to force that on people? (1.00 / 1) (#46)
    by BrassTacks on Tue Nov 18, 2008 at 03:04:04 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Prop 8 National Rallies Today in All 50 States | 50 comments (50 topical)