[Sosfbay-discuss] Prop. 8 opponents rally across California to protest gay-marriage ban

[Drew Johnson]

Prop. 8 opponents rally across California to protest gay-marriage ban

Phot: Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times
Supporters of same-sex marriage march along Spring Street in front of City
Hall in downtown Los Angeles in preparation for a series of nationwide
protests against Proposition 8, which denied gay couples the right to wed
in California.

Gay-rights marchers gather by the thousands in Los Angeles and San
Francisco, battling heat, expressing solidarity and debating proponents of
the measure.

By Jessica Garrison Corina Knoll
November 16, 2008

Reporting from San Francisco and Los Angeles -- Expressing anger,
disappointment and humor, thousands of gay-rights advocates marched across
the state and nation Saturday in largely peaceful protests against
California's passage of an initiative banning same-sex marriage.

In Los Angeles, protesters clustered shoulder to shoulder near City Hall
before setting off on a downtown march, chanting and carrying rainbow
flags and signs bearing messages such as "No More Mr. Nice Gay" and "No on
Hate."

"It's invigorating and exciting to see us unite as a people," Christine
Pease, 39, said as she handed out stickers with a yellow equal sign to
demonstrators outside City Hall. "I hope that it shows there are a lot
more people affected by the choices we make on a ballot."

The Los Angeles Police Department estimated that 10,000 to 12,000 people
attended the event, well below the 40,000 the department had expected.

Still, demonstrators called the event a success, noting that participants
had been galvanized by a loosely organized grass-roots campaign that
sprang up after the Nov. 4 election.

"Considering it started on Facebook and became as organized as it was,
it's pretty amazing," said Dave Coleman, 43.

A representative of the Proposition 8 campaign said the protests would
have little effect. "They can protest all they like, and it doesn't change
the fact that Prop. 8 has passed and the election is now over," said Frank
Schubert, manager for the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign.

In San Francisco, a crowd estimated by police at 7,500 converged on the
city's civic center, some wearing T-shirts emblazoned with "Milk," a
reference to the county's first openly gay supervisor, Harvey Milk, who
was assassinated 30 years ago.

Although a march had not been planned, about noon a large portion of the
crowd set off along Market Street and split into two, one headed for the
Castro District and another for the Embarcadero. Police made several
arrests for holding up traffic, but the event was otherwise peaceful.

Demonstrators also gathered in Boston, New York and other cities across
the nation, the Associated Press reported.

Across California, the rallies took on a carnival-like atmosphere. About
200 protesters gathered at Costa Mesa's South Coast Plaza. In Sacramento,
police estimated that 1,500 marched peacefully on the Capitol.

Amid the throngs, thousands of little scenes played out. A sampling:

Delayed wedding

Saturday's date held a special significance for Los Angeles marchers Carol
Kirkman and Margaret Gonzalez. It was supposed to be their wedding day.

Kirkman and Gonzalez, both 48 from Lawndale, began planning their wedding
two months ago and didn't worry about Proposition 8. "We didn't even think
twice that this would pass," Kirkman said.

The plans called for an intimate ceremony -- about 10 guests -- and the
couple decided to wear matching suits, Kirkman in black, Gonzalez in
white. Instead, they joined the thousands marching through downtown
wearing sneakers, khaki shorts and T-shirts.

Bringing children

The rallies brought out a diverse crowd that included straight as well as
gay families.

Pam Chan and her husband brought their two children -- Kalea, 6, and Koa,
2 -- to the demonstration in San Francisco.

"We want our kids to learn they can grow up in a place where everyone is
equal," said Chan, 34. "Marriage is for everyone."

Invoking religion

Among about half a dozen Proposition 8 supporters at Los Angeles City Hall
was Dan Burton, 50, a retired air traffic controller, who held a sign that
read, "Gays hate God. Romans 1:18-32," a reference to biblical passages
denouncing wickedness and debauchery.

"There's two sides to every story," Burton said. "Most people in this
country don't want gay marriage, because it's biologically, culturally and
religiously perverse."

Proposition 8 opponent Carl Hunter, 64, carried a sign reading,
"Christians for gay marriage."

A contract analyst at an insurance company, Hunter said of the
proposition: "It's misguided. God doesn't hate what he or she has
created."

Hunter recently married the Rev. Dan Hooper, pastor at Hollywood Lutheran
Church.

Signs of protest

Many of the anti-Proposition 8 signs mixed humor with anger, often
targeting Mormons who supported the measure.

"If heaven discriminates, I don't want to go."

"The same Bible was used to justify slavery."

"Hmm. . . . What's so traditional about polygamy?"

"Where's My Gay Tax Break?"

"Joseph Smith had 33 wives. Gays only want one."

"I was born gay. You were taught religion."

"My brother is getting married . . . again. Why can't I get married once?"

"Straight but not narrow."

"Only my wife should care if I marry a man."

When told of the signs, Schubert said, "It's unfortunate that the 'No on
8' campaign has devolved into personal attacks and statements of religious
bigotry. If they think this is going to help their cause long term, they
might want to consider a new strategy."

Gays and blacks

A running theme during the Los Angeles demonstration was the role of
African Americans in the passage of the anti-gay-marriage measure. An exit
poll showed that black voters favored the proposition by a ratio of more
than 2 to 1.

Again and again, speakers asked the crowd not to blame the black
community. "We did not lose the fight because of African Americans," said
Lorri L. Jean, 51, chief executive of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center.

Referring to black civil rights leaders, she said, "They have taught us,
supported us and stood with us." The crowd cheered.

An unusual bride

Many demonstrators in San Francisco took their dogs to the rally, but few
stood out more than Aidan, a Finnish spitz whose head was covered in a
long white veil.

Her owners, Emily Drennen and her wife, Lindasusan Ulrich, said Aidan was
their symbolic bridesmaid.

During the course of a turbulent decade for gay marriage, the couple have
been married three times. "To each other," Ulrich quickly clarified.

They wed in 2003, before gay marriage was legal. A year later, when San
Francisco began marrying gay couples, they married again, only to see the
courts annul their union.

Last month, Ulrich, 39, and Drennen, 35, went through another ceremony in
the wake of the state Supreme Court's landmark ruling that legalized gay
marriage. "And we want to stay married," said Drennen, who along with her
wife was dressed in a bridal gown.

A crowd embraces

The Rev. Penny Nixon, senior minister at the Congregational Church of San
Mateo, led the rally in a massive group hug in San Francisco.

"You are loved, and no one can take that away," she told the crowd.
Demonstrators cheered and began hugging one another, repeating her words.

Garrison and Knoll are Times staff writers.

jessica.garrison at latimes.com

corina.knoll at latimes.com

Times staff writers Alicia Lozano and Jack Leonard contributed to this
report.