The campaign to oppose Proposition 8, which seeks to amend the California constitution to specifically deny same-sex couples the right to marry, will not concede that the proposition has passed despite the news reports that claim that it has passed. Here is the full text of the No on Prop 8 campaign’s statement regarding the votes cast in California last night:
Roughly 400,000 votes separate yes from no on Prop 8 – out of 10 million votes tallied. Based on turnout estimates reported yesterday, we expect that there are more than 3 million and possibly as many as 4 million absentee and provisional ballots yet to be counted. Given that fundamental rights are at stake, we must wait to hear from the Secretary of State tomorrow how many votes are yet to be counted as well as where they are from. It is clearly a very close election and we monitored the results all evening and this morning. As of this point, the election is too close to call. Because Prop 8 involves the sensitive matter of individual rights, we believe it is important to wait until we receive further information about the outcome.
I wholeheartedly agree, the count is too close to call without taking into account the absentee ballots that have been cast in this matter. Even still, citizens of California WILL NOT STAND for the legalization of discrimination in this State and have organized at least 2 big rallies to take place today to protest the campaign to strip Californian citizens of their rights. Here is the info for a rally to take place tonight in West Hollywood, CA:
Hundreds to Attend “No on Prop 8″ Rally in West Hollywood Tonight
WHAT: With nearly 4 million votes still to be counted and the Proposition 8 race too close to call, hundreds of people who support equality for all and who oppose the amendment of our constitution to discriminate against any group, will gather in West Hollywood tonight to show their support for the freedom of same-sex couples to marry.
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m.
WHO: Speakers include: Lorri L. Jean, CEO, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, John Duran, President, Equality California, Reverend Neil Thomas, Metropolitan Community Church, Rabbi Denise Eger, Congregation Kol Ami
WHERE: San Vicente Blvd., between Melrose Ave. and Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, California
Additionally, I’ve received word that a candlelight vigil will take place on the steps of the State Capitol tonight … people interested in attending are requested to bring candles and as many people as they can.
If you are able, I urge all Californians to come out and stand united to oppose the attempts to STRIP CITIZENS OF THEIR RIGHTS. As we learned from last night’s election, change is possible and what was once believed inconceivable can become reality. GLBT citizens of the USA deserve to be treated like everyone else. While our country has made great strides in some respects (thank you President-elect Obama) we still have a long way to go … there is still much we need to fight for!
UPDATE: Here is a list of rallies that will be held in California tonight:
Los Angeles
7:00 p.m. | West Hollywood
Corner of Santa Monica Blvd and San Vicente Blvd
Sacramento
note location change
5 p.m. | Gay & Lesbian Center
1927 L St
San Diego
6:30 | The Center
3909 Centre Street
Co-sponsored by the Center, EQCA and HRC
San Francisco
6:30 | City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
[Source]
Bekkie: sometimes I don’t understand the US either. I think the problem here is the Supreme Court (federal not state) said that this issue is a state matter, they won’t touch it. The California leaders said no, the state Supreme Court said yes, so some people said let’s vote. It was voted on and according to the democratic process. If the group that should be deeming something unconstitutional says the states should decide, I don’t see how the majority of people can be “wrong/stupid/unconstitutional” when they were only doing what they should be doing as a member of a democratic system. The only thing that is being accomplished right now is more fracturing of a people. Both side are screaming “I’m right.” I think that some people need to stop demeaning people for voting the way they have an established right to and put that effort into convincing the Supreme Court to hear the case. The attacks on each other need to stop- no one deserves to have their vote dismissed just because the other side doesn’t agree.
[...] Rally in California to Oppose Discrimination – Pink is the New Blog [...]
MARRIAGE IS NOT EXCLUSIVELY A RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION
what the hell is wrong with everybody?? so non-religious straight people aren’t allowed to get married? they have to call it something else? right…
FUCK selective memories make me mad. it’s called separation of church and state people… we can’t tell churches they have to marry gay people and churches sure as hell shouldn’t be telling us who can/can’t get married outside the church. everyone who is opposing gay marriage now is going to be pretty fucking embarrassed a few years down the road when society realizes what a horrible mistake it’s making.
[...] Rally in California to Oppose Discrimination – Pink is the New Blog [...]
[...] Rally in California to Oppose Discrimination – Pink is the New Blog [...]
I honestly believe that there were enough people to lazy to read the actual details of the proposition that caused the result. I had to correct a few people that “Yes on 8″ was the BAN and not the other way around… they were confused… they weren’t paying attention. I think there were enough of these types to make the unfortunate difference.
I guess Prop 8 makes me think of 2004, when Alabama voted by a slight majority to retain segregation language from the Alabama constitution. (In their defense, the language was un-enforced and their was a seriously misleading campaign about the prop)
Ultimately, these measures get turned around in the supreme court, because they are bullt out of hate and intolerance and inequality.
I hope that someday we have a word as strong as “racist” to describe people who are opposed to gay people’s equal rights. When you label someone as a racist, we can all generally agree that they are ignorant and not to be taken seriously. “Homophobic” just doesn’t have that same sense yet. Well, in a perfect world…we won’t need either of those words. :) You know the real irony? I am a straight female who is in a loooong term relationship with a man and I have no interest in marriage. Heterosexual couples did a great job of making it meaningless to me through the high divorce rate. No offense to people who personally value your marriages and honor them-just not for me! And I want every consensual adult to have that right if they value it.
Great post – You have to love Florida!!