Down, But Not Out at No on 8 Celebration

The crowd is discouraged at Los Angeles's Music Box Theatre celebration, intended to celebrate Proposition 8 being defeated. But despite early results show Yes on 8 in the lead, L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center CEO Lorri Jean and City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo are trying to keep the crowd encouraged.

Jean says they are readying a lawsuit if Prop. 8 passes.

Delgadillo, speaking to the packed crowd, said: “We are going to take forward a message of equality today. There is a brand-new generation of hope in America today. This isn't over tonight. No matter what happens, the fight isn't over. In fact, the fight is just beginning.”

Comments

[Rick Hill]

So, if you leave it up to the Voters, and they decide, and then you don't agree with the voters, do you really expect to get the support of anyone?

[Melody]

Rick Hill, even if the voters disagree, these people still have the right to marry. Marriage is not something that should be regulated by the state. Marriage is not something that should be defined by one religion's beliefs. Unfortunately, religious people have greater numbers than gay people, and so their rights will always be taken away by a majority vote, even if this is wrong. One thing I've learned over the past six months, is that gay people are just regular people, not people with some 'agenda'. They just want recognition for their very ordinary, but lovely relationships, that just happen to be of someone of the same gender.

[Frustrated]

What is going to happen when somebody starts a "Center for Straight People"? I bet all the gays will raise hell. Gays segregate themselves by making these clubs and organizations for things they say are normal ways of life. If it was so normal why do they have to have parades and organizations? Why does it have to be a cry for attention? If gays could let people accept them for the person they are and not just a statement they are trying to make I believe this situation would be entirely different. And why does same sex marriage need to be taught to small children when they are not even taught the values of traditional marriage?
As of now, I say YES on Prop 8

[Jonathan]

Melody, while it may be true that they are just normal people, how can you even say that religion doesn't matter? This country was founded with a separation of church and state, where the church was meant to be protected from the state. Without the passing of Prop 8, the government will clearly be overstepping its boundaries by forcing churches to marry gay couples. As for what's right and what's wrong, who are you to say? It really is up to everyone's opinion, which is why voting is so important. Just so you know, gay people have the same rights as straight people. The only difference is that there won't be the title of "marriage" and if love is what truly matters, what is wrong with having the title of "civil union"? The fact is, there is nothing to lose by passing Prop 8, but by NOT passing it, many people's fundamental religious rights will be infringed upon. Religion DOES matter. If not to you, then to a majority of the people in this state.

[dave]

Serial rapist were born with violent tendancies. Serial murders were born with agressive behavior patterns. Sodomites are born with a bent towards acting out their psychological disorders of engagng in sex with the same gender. Yes, you might have "been born gay",but you need to deal with your demons. Your only chance of being accepted is by societies moral standards slipping so far into decay, that you will be accepted. Unfortunately for you, any laws passed in your favor will not be honored by your creator in eternity. I guess that's why most of you hate God and Christians. You cant have your pie and eat it to- no pun intended.

[Rachelle]

Its pathetic people even waste their time with a proposition like this. Talk about having time on your hands to waste, this country has FAR to go when it comes to equality. Aren't there more important issues to tackle than hate on people because they aren't like you? Maybe next election season we should have a proposition to ban religion, seems they are the force for hate and discrimination in America...how embarrassed I am of this country!

[Natalie]

I don't know if you're getting disinformation, or just misinformation,but whatever it is, you don't know what you're talking about. There is no legislation anywhere that will force churches to marry gay couples. That's propaganda and paranoia. And that crap about teaching our small children about it? Give me a break! I am a teacher, I know the laws, I know the curriculum in many districts, and there is no legal precedence to force anyone to teach about marriage. Get your facts straight before you go persecuting people for your paranoia.

[Fingers Crossed]

Frustrated:
Gay people have parades and organizations for the same reason that women had rallies and organizations during the woman's suffrage movement. For the same reason that Martin Luther King Jr. led a march in Washington and black people formed organizations during the civil rights movement. For the same reason that mill workers formed unions to protest against 80-hour workweeks and unsafe work conditions. It is a "cry for attention" only insofar as it is a plea for fair and just treatment. Prop 8 is discrimination. Gay marriage does not detract from anyone else's marriage one iota.

As for the "small children" - marriage is not part of public school curriculum at all. Reading is. Math is. Writing is. There is no insidious plan to start teaching marriage, gay or straight, in elementary schools. Prop 8 is purely about ADULTS and their RIGHTS.

[Brian]

Funny christians are so against gay and lesbians, when they have their own demons to tend to, talk about the speck in their eye while having a plank in their own, many christians will be quite surprised when they find themselves burning in hell right next to the gays lol...christians are quite the hypocrites!

[Pissed off]

GLBT just want the same rights as straight people do. Let me give you an example: My friend that I worked with got really sick and she was in the hospital. The doctor told her she had a few hours to live and yes she was gay. Her girlfriend was denied access to tell her goodbye because she wasnt a family member. So tell me how you think that is right? You people are IDIOTS for voting YES on Prop 8.

[john]

Yes on 8 advocates just do not want their children growing up in a society that accepts deviant behavior as a viable and accepted option. God gave you a conscience to know what you are doing is wrong, so maybe you should start listening to that voice in your head and stop complaining about society. Society does not need to change- only your deviant behavior.

[Randy]

So how come, religious organizations will raise millions of dollars to prevent equality for everyone meanwhile there are thousands of people dying of starvation and disease, people homeless on the streets, and numerous other tragedies. I guess preventing two individuals from marrying is much more important than human life and well-being. Get your priorities right because some of you people's screws are loose!

[Mike]

And discrimination lives on…. God makes people differently and people fear and cower in corners like scared animals. People choose to live their lives and abide by the law so long as it fits their narrow-minded ideals. The law SHOULD BE reason free from passion. Passion can cloud the mind and make people impulsive. Religion can intensify this passion and make a person ignore those truths that are so fundamental – beliefs written into our Constitution. The differences in each person’s moral makeup are a personal choice and should be kept at that level.

Keep in mind - At one point, America banned marriage between two people of different colors. Would you have voted to keep that institution in place? How can one speak out in such a loud and proud voice when it has little to no sympathy behind it!? Why don’t people use their heads? God gave us hearts and minds to use respectfully. To promote intolerance seems counter intuitive in this regard. If people don't have love and compassion in their hearts then what sets them apart from robots, programmed to do everything one book or person tells them to do? People should try and be empathetic with the plights that don't specifically concern them lest they continue to wallow in selfishness and egomania.

For those traditional marriage advocates: If you really want your kids to turn out "proper", maybe show them that being different is good and that it inspires imagination, kindness and tolerance.How hateful and ignorant can one person be in a time when we as American must work together with those we share the planet with? Why can’t we be a beacon of generosity and compassion to the other nations, to show them, by our actions, the reasoning behind the nationalistic pride we assert every day?

I’m just shocked at the results. Considering that California voted like I did on every other issue, it severely saddens me to know that on one of the most important issues, we still beg to differ. I only hope that as a country, we can help Obama make some amazing changes, even if not everything goes the way I want.

[Jonathan]

Natalie, you're right, teachers AREN'T forced to teach children that it's what's right. But you know what you forgot to mention? The fact that parents don't need to be notified when something like that is being taught or that they cannot remove their children from such an teachings. I am a teacher as well, so I know just as well as you do what legislation there is or isn't. Also, don't be naive. The churches ARE forced to marry gay couples because it would be considered discrimination if they didn't, resulting in a definite lawsuit. It's not crap, it's not propaganda, it's not paranoia. It's fact. Stop looking at just the words and not the context behind it. Before you accuse me of not understanding what I'm talking about, you need to take a better look at reality and see what's really going on. As a onetime opponent against Prop 8, I fully understand both sides to the issue. Brian, while it's true that we all have our own problems, the fact is that true Christians cannot stand idly by and promote wrongdoing. It may seem discriminatory and harsh to you, but it is considered a sin. Furthermore, it is our duties as humans and Christians to prevent further moral degradation.

[Martha]

There is no logic behind anyone's argument against preventing GLBT people from marrying. They have just been brainwashed with hate from parents, religion, etc. Why do you think GLBT people keep moving forward with small steps year by year because people are coming to see how ignorant their cause is. They will eventually lose!

[brian]

Martha, You are right. GLBT people will eventually win. That is about the same time the Lord will keep his promise of returning to earth after mankind has morally bankrupted itself. The GLBT movement and any success it has is just a sign of the end times, and God's soon coming final judgement. God only has room for those that love Him and follow His laws. If you had love for your Creator you would turn from your path of self destruction. Choose love-Choose God.

[Pissed off]

You know what I find funny is that people who go to church and who are so against prop 8 can never seem to tell the difference between the Seperation of Church and State. WOW you are so ignorant. I know plenty of gay people who go to church every Sunday and Wednesday and I even bet there are some that sit next to you.

[Jonathan]

Mike, if you're really going to bring God into this, then remember this: God is holy and cannot tolerate sin of any kind or amount. By not supporting Prop 8, we are allowing sin to further permeate into society and into the world. Christians do not hate GLBT people, they simply see homosexuality as a sexually immoral sin, much like lust and pornography. These, unfortunately, have already been passed through, but that is even more reason that we should vote in favor of Prop 8: to prevent further moral decay.

[Joshua Barton]

tonight i'm conflicted with my joy of an Obama victory and what looks like a win for prop.8 in California.

I'm a queer man in Missouri and have already lived through the "JOYS" of a constitutional amendment basically stripping me of my dignity as a human being in my state, SO when I heard the news of the CA Supreme Court overturning the state's ban on same sex marriage i was thrilled. It seemed queer people were making a real impact. of course I knew an initiative would get started to reverse the decision on election day but with oh i don't know , THE MELTDOWN OF OUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, a RECESSION, an never ending war in IRAQ that has been draining billions of dollars from our pockets, increasing US debt, a joke of a healthcare system and the sort I figured the ballot had no chance in HELL.

especially in CALIFORNIA.
but I guess I was too optimistic.

At the end of the day this proves that in 2008 queer people still have alot facing us in proving to the American public that we aren't second-class citizens.

OH and for the haters posting, i just have one question:

WHY ARE YOU ON THE ADVOCATE'S WEBSITE?????!!!!!!! take yourself on to a james dobson FOCUS ON THE FAMILy message board somewhere. THANKS!

[nicole]

So much for minority rights.

[Jen]

I've heard the gay community talk about equality...I get that...I've heard a teacher talk about "no legal precedence." What this issue is really about, is the voice of the people. A democracy/republic doesn't mean that every person has every right that they think they should have. Somewhere, someway, limits are placed on human behavior. Those are called laws, and imperfect people make and adjudicate those laws. Whether we as a community at large vote for them, the politicians enact them, or judges overturn them, PEOPLE make these choices about what is right/wrong for their society. Why can't we accept that what one group wants, especially if in the minority, doesn't make it right for a society at large? That minority group ABSOLUTELY has rights. No one denies it. The majority has a reasonable expectation to protect those rights, and history shows that when those rights aren't reasonably protected, civil disobedience ensues. Still, the voice of the majority rules. In the USA it always has, and I hope it always will. Right, wrong, or indifferent, it chaps my hide when I hear other people bash ANY other group or person for having a different opinion than their own. Don't allow yourselves to become angry or be disrespectful. It weakens your position. If you don't agree, try to educate. That's what educators and advocates do, right?

A group of people may use the term propaganda or scare tactics, but what they seem to really mean is that the other group of people who have an opinion other than "mine" are less than educated and being led around by the nose because they can't seem to make up their own minds.

As an educator myself, whose taken the time to read about this issue and the educational codes in CA and in Mass., as well as the courts ruling on why parents weren't informed when there children were taught about gay marriage in school in the state of Mass., I find it difficult to believe that honest to goodness lies were told about teaching this in schools. If WHAT I read was correct, 96% of CA school districts have a course of study on human behavior that includes discussions on what the family unit is. We also have the same (or very similar) law to MA that gives a parent the right to opt out. Why wasn't that observed in the case that went to, but was denied hearing by the US supreme court? Legal precedence will be coming soon, should prop. 8 fail.

After all the discussion on personal beliefs, separation of church and state, and right and wrong, I do not believe that 4 judges have a right to overturn the majority voice of the people. They undoubtedly have a right to rule on whether a law is constitutional, but when that goes directly in the face of the majority, and they begin legislating from the bench, I think the majority has every right to reassess the issue too.

You are not likely to change my mind on this issue, and I realize that I am not likely to change your mind either. I can only say that that is the beauty of America, everyone (except for those special few) are allowed their opinion and shouldn't be persecuted for it. If you can respect that, then please respect those who do not think as you do, whichever side of an issue you may be on. The voting and political process is for everyone's benefit, even if the voice of the majority goes against what you or I might personally desire.

[truthsayer]

Hey everyone cheer up! Believe it or not this is an incredible VICTORY for the Gay community! How? Because now this issue can FINALLY be settled where it needs to be settled: THE US SUPREME COURT!! How i've hoped and HOPED for the past year that voters would approve prop 8 because now this issue can be taken to the US supremes! Now with a supposed "liberal" president Obama can now put at least 2 "liberal" judges on the bench this bigoted piece of voter shit(prop 8) will be settles ONCE AND FOR ALL!! For all the bigoted religious shit for brains whackos out there: THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH FOR PASSING PROP 8!! You've just now UNCONDITIONALLY guaranteed the repealing of ALL the bigoted antigay amendments passed in this country! LOL! Have a nice day all you african "american" heteros who voted away our rights! We'll all be laughing at you when the US SUPREME COURT abolishes EACH AND EVERY ONE of your mean spirited amendments! LMAO!!!

[truthsayer]

Hey everyone cheer up! Believe it or not this is an incredible VICTORY for the Gay community! How? Because now this issue can FINALLY be settled where it needs to be settled: THE US SUPREME COURT!! How i've hoped and HOPED for the past year that voters would approve prop 8 because now this issue can be taken to the US supremes! Now with a supposed "liberal" president Obama can now put at least 2 "liberal" judges on the bench this bigoted piece of voter shit(prop 8) will be settles ONCE AND FOR ALL!! For all the bigoted religious shit for brains whackos out there: THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH FOR PASSING PROP 8!! You've just now UNCONDITIONALLY guaranteed the repealing of ALL the bigoted antigay amendments passed in this country! LOL! Have a nice day all you african "american" heteros who voted away our rights! We'll all be laughing at you when the US SUPREME COURT abolishes EACH AND EVERY ONE of your mean spirited amendments! LMAO!!!

[David Austin]

What amazes me is that 73% of Americans disapproved of marriage between races and the reason was obviously racist, to keep the White race pure. With only 27% of Americans in favor of it, the Supreme Court took up the case and said, "No you can not regulate love between races." Here in what is a 51-49% for or against depending upon area of California, age, gender and ethnicity the Supreme Court still will not take up this issue. Remember marriage was not made for a particular religion, it was intended for everyone. And this election is proving me right, if you have the money (70+ million dollars) and a population of people who do not critically listen or do any research for themselves, they will fall prey to lies and half-truths. Stupid Biggoted Californians.

[truthsayer]

I disagree dave. The US Supreme Court WILL take up this issue and it WILL be shot down! Why? Because their is no LEGALLY acceptable grounds for this bigoted piece of shit legislation to stand on! Tyranny of the majority WILL NEVER STAND THE TEST OF TIME!!! Better luck next time Mr. religious bigots!! LMAO!