opinion piece

5 Steps Forward For U.S. 10 Steps Back For California

On November 4, 2008 the United States took a giant leap for their future, by electing Barack Obama as the next president. Many cheered and celebrated the coming of change for our country. However for California residents the celebration was far too bittersweet as so many waited for the outcome of the controversial Proposition 8. It was late night when the results finally came in. The votes showed that 52.5% voted yes, to keep marriage in California defined as between a man and women. While 47.5 % voted to protect the rights of legal gay marriage in California.
For some the proposition brought out many deep-rooted memories of a time when civil rights laws where not recognized by the state, when men and women of different races where not able to seal their love by legally getting married. While for others it brought out their unconditional devotion to their tradition and religion.
Jennifer Roback Morse a spokeswoman for Proposition 8 wrote an article titled “8 is Not Hate.” In the article she states that her view on the proposition does not reflect her view of homosexual people. “I’m voting “yes” on 8, not because of my views of gays and lesbians, but because of my views about marriage. I view marriage as a gender-based institution that attaches mothers and fathers to each other and to their children. Those of us who support Proposition 8 believe that children deserve at least the chance to have a relationship with a mom and a dad. That isn’t hateful toward anyone,” She said.
As a student and an activist for civil rights, I took the initiative to protest on Election Day exercising my right as a citizen. I stood on the corner of Nordhoff and Reseda in Northridge, CA holding a sign that said “No on Prop 8, equal rights for all.” Some drove by cheered and honked in support. While others yelled out derogatory names expressing their passion for what they believed was right. There was no denying that this proposition gained attention nationally, from heated discussions in classrooms to parents and children disagreeing at the kitchen table. The decision being made was one that either side was passionate about.
Many who voted yes on Proposition 8 where mislead by the messages the campaign was sending out. Claiming that public schools would be forced to teach about gay marriage to the kids or that churches would loose their tax exemption if they denied marrying homosexual couples in their church. However, according to the No on Prop 8 website many of the campaign tactics that where used in the yes campaign where exaggerated and false. Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the House in Washington D.C. commented on the outcome of Proposition 8. “Regardless of how you feel about this issue, we should not eliminate rights for any Californian. Prop 8 would mandate, under the laws of our state, that one group of people would be treated differently form everyone else. That’s just unfair,” she said.
Equal rights for all is one step closer to attaining the goal of a better America and hopefully a better world. Our country has made a statement with the President-Elect. Proving that what he looks like has no impact on his qualifications as the next president of the United States. If this stands true, then as California citizens shouldn’t we be the poster child for equal rights. Assuring that everyone is given the same rights as their neighbor. Or is it when religion and sexuality comes into to question there is a social taboo that just isn’t ready to be challenged yet.