November 4, 2008

Millions of people huddled around their television sets waiting, with baited breath, for the results of the election.  Around 9:45 p.m., progressives nation-wide breathed a collective sigh of relief.  Finally, an era of over-reaching Republican rule was over.  Finally, a black man had been elected president.  A dark chapter on our nation’s history had been closed.

Yet, at the same time, another dark chapter of inequality and intolerance was being written.

It was only a simple, ineloquent sentence:  “Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry…”

But with the strength of 6,068,393 votes behind it, this sentence dashed the hopes of gays and allies across the country.  California’s Proposition 8 was only one of three heartbreaking bans passed across the country, but more than any other, it took the bloom off the rose for many who were ecstatic over the election of Barack Obama.

California’s Proposition 8:  Shattered Dreams of Equality

So why was Proposition 8 so much more devastating than the others?  Well, it was sort of expected in the conservative state of Arizona.  And, while Florida quite often has left leanings, and did go blue for Obama, it’s still the Mecca for retirees.  Older folks, by and large, aren’t so sure of “those homosexuals!”

California, on the other hand, has one of the largest liberal majorities in the U.S. of A.  Liberals, who by definition are in favor change and equality, are more likely to put their personal biases aside in favor of equal treatment.  The beacon of hope for LGBT and LGBT allies was California.  In California, they had a fighting chance.

Something that even the staunchest conservative couldn’t discount was the positive effect on California’s economy following the CA Supreme Court Ruling in favor of Same-Sex Marriage.  People who couldn’t get married in other states flocked to California to make their love “official.”  As a result, tourism was up, restaurants and hotels were enjoying an increase in customers, and catering and formal wear companies were having trouble keeping up with demand.  Business, both small and large, flourished.

The success of Prop 8 gave all LGBT advocates a bitter dose of reality… it’s quite possible that we’ve got a long, difficult road ahead of us before we’ll see equality.

The Will of the People vs. What’s Best for the People

On November 5, three lawsuits were filed which claimed that Prop 8 was a “revision” rather than an “amendment,” which would mean it requires 2/3 of the CA legislature to vote in support of it.  The CA Supreme Court has elected to hear the challenge.  If they find in favor of the lawsuits, then Prop 8 will be overturned.  It’s very hard to get a 2/3 majority on an issue as evenly divided as this.

But this might cause more problems for the movement elsewhere.  If Prop 8 is overturned, the anti-gay movement is going to spin this as another example of “activist judges” and “out of touch legislators” overturning the will of the people.  In conservative strongholds, the backlash will be massive.  Next election, we’ll see even more propositions to ban gay marriage, and over the next couple of years we’ll see tons of legislative efforts to change state constitutions.

The will of the people is strong, but what we have to remember is that history has proven that love is stronger.  Our history is full of eras where people were forbidden to marry based on cultural, religious, or racial restrictions.  As late as the 1960’s, interracial couples were forbidden to marry in the United States.

Eventually, marriage will be an equal right for all people, regardless of sexual orientation.  But what can the apathetic advocate do until then?

• If you have the means, take your love to court.  The legal system is the best way to combat widespread discrimination, because they’re supposed to make impartial decisions based not on personal or religious biases, but rather on what the constitution says.
• If you don’t have the means, then scrape up a few bucks and donate to advocacy organizations that fund legal challenges to same-sex marriage bans.  I’d recommend the ACLU and the Human Rights Campaign.
• Join newsletters and read the blogs for your local advocacy groups, like the ACLU of (your state here) or Equality Now.  While national advocacy is important, it’s even more important to keep a watch on what’s happening in your own community.  Local activist groups can let you know if your state is considering a ban on Same-Sex marriage.  If so, then call and write your legislators until your fingers are numb… because that’s exactly what the anti-gay movement is doing!

Equality will come, but not without action.  You have to fight for your rights, because I can assure you there is someone who is fighting against them.

The Role of Race, Religion, Republicans, and Age:

• African Americans voted for Prop 8 by a ratio of more than 2 to 1.
• Church-goers voted for Prop 8 by a ratio of more than 4 to 1.
• Conservatives voted for Prop 8 by a ratio of over 4 to 1.
• Ages 18-29 voted against Prop 8 by more than a 3 to 2 margin.  Ages 30-65 by a very close margin of 11 to 9.  However, Ages 65 and up voted by more than a 3 to 2 margin in favor of Prop 8.

About Chardon Moore:
Chardon Moore is a political junkie, LGBT ally, and the webmistress of LiberalMartyr.com. She’s been a human and civil rights activist for over a decade, as well as working in broadcast media, academia, and state government. She now lives in Raleigh with her longtime boyfriend and young daughter.

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