Marriage Advocates Renew the Fight in the Wake of Proposition 8

For same-sex couples and their supporters, this year's election results were bittersweet. While progressives hailed Democratic gains in Congress and Barack Obama's victory over John McCain as a clear mandate for social change in America, residents in Florida, Arizona, Arkansas, and California all saw ballot initiatives banning same-sex marriage. In Arkansas, a further measure passed which will prevent unmarried couples (and thus same-sex couples) from adopting a child in that state.

It was the narrow passage of California's Proposition 8 - a ballot initiative which amends the California state Constitution - that broke the camel's back for many gay rights advocates. Unlike initiatives in other states, where the rights of same-sex couples have not been enshrined in law, Proposition 8 overturned a decision by the California Supreme Court which recognized marriage as a fundamental right.

Rights advocates nationwide have responded to the passage of Proposition 8 with renewed protest. Demonstrators in major cities in California and across the country have already begun picketing against same-sex marriage bans. Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights have already begun filing legal challenges to Proposition 8. At least one website - mormonsstoleourrights.com - has sprung up to challenge the tax-exempt status of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints because of its heavy financial support for pro-Proposition 8 groups.

One group - JoinTheImpact.com - is organizing nationwide protests in favor of marriage parity. Activists in all 50 states plan to demonstrate simultaneously at 1:30 PM EST/10:30 AM PST on Saturday, Nov. 15. According to their press release, over 250,000 people nationwide have pledged to show their support for same-sex marriage.

Organizers write, "The time has come here in America for all people to be afforded equal rights, and we will not stop until everyone receives Equal Rights." Information about local protest locations is available at the JoinTheImpact forum at http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/.

Celebrities and political commentators continue to voice opposition to the passage of Proposition 8. In his November 10th Special Comment, MSNBC political correspondent Keith Olbermann issued an impassioned appeal to those who'd supported the measure, asking them to question their motives. Other celebrities opposing Proposition 8 include John Cho (Harold & Kumar Escape Guantanamo Bay), America Ferrera (Ugly Betty), violinist Itzhak Perlman, and comedian Margaret Cho.

The ballots may be counted, but voters can be sure that this is one fight that is far from over.