College Age Too Busy with Lives to Worry About Outcome of Prop8

In San Jose, California on Aug, 17, 2010 the decision of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, put a pause on judge Vaughn's order to allow same-sex couples to legally unite. Prop8 is once again on the table. So where are the rallies? The public outcry? The thousands of people who took to the streets a year ago when this issue went to vote?

Many of the one hundred people or so that arrived at the Phillip Burton Federal Building, on Golden Gate Avenue, in San Francisco two weeks ago have all but disappeared. It was surprising to see so few people show up for such an historical moment. Now two weeks later there is little public fanfare. There are stories in the news, but there is little "news making" going on in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Where did everyone go?

Nick Badillo, a well spoken, 23 year old gay San Jose State business major, gave me some insight. I asked him if he knew of any protest rallies or gatherings taking place in the San Jose gay community and he said "no. I attended a rally a year ago but I don't know of any happening now." He said that school is not in session yet and because of that, there isn't any group efforts going on that he knows of, at least not in his age group. I asked if he thought the strength of the rallies came from college campuses

"Yes because almost everyone there was from school," Nick replied.

It isn't just a lack of organizational show of force on campuses that are affecting this issue. Age is another factor according to Nick.

"I think for the younger generation, I think it has to do with a sense of entitlement. For our generation is 'I get, I want...I deserve everything'. For my generation 'I am entitled to what everyone else has'."

To Nick he sees that as one of the main reasons younger people would protest. Not necessarily because of the loss of the right to marry, but the loss of an entitlement.

As Nick and I discussed the issue of how he perceived his peers, it was interesting to note that Nick is from a conservative Catholic family, and he still attends church. His parents have been married for 25 years. He thinks the issue of same sex marriage rights in his generation is much different than older generations who have been living together for years. Having the example of parents who are committed to their family and relationship, Nick is well qualified to know how much goes into a successful marriage.

"A lot of the people my age don't understand what marriage is. They don't understand what love is."

One other factor has to do with time. Nick, like many others are just too busy with life to attend rallies.

"I don't really pay attention. I have so much school and so much work." It is his busy life that doesn't allow him time to get involved as much as he would like.

When asked if he would attend a rally now to protest the appeal, Nick replied that, "It depends on where it is. If it was down the street I would go. It would have to be doable."

What Nick sees as issues reflecting on Prop8 are unlikely isolated to gay or straight people, and not isolated to the political implications of prop8 either. It is something that goes beyond a ballot measure. Nick's perception that this generation lacks an understanding of what real love is; what it means to be in a committed marriage; and that many feel that things will just happen because the world owes it to them...may be surprised at what kind of world they wake up to one day. The future, as it's been said, is yours.

Source:
Phone interview with Nick Badillo August 17, 2010