Los Angeles Proposition 8 Gay Marriage Protest a Flop
Not a very good turn out for the gay marriage folks on a warm summer-like day in Los Angeles to protest the passage of California’s Proposition 8 which restored the traditional definition of 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.”
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.
There were wild-fires in Los Angeles and Orange Counties which did tie up some of the freeways (but not towards downtown) but the heat was not oppressive (despite what the Los Angeles Times or laist said). The No on 8 did NOT turn out a crowd. And, this is why despite a biased ballot proposition language by left wing radical, California Attorney General Jerry Brown and endorsement by every major newspaper in California Yes on 8 passed – banning gay marriage.
Of course, there was the obligatory Christian and Mormon bigotry at the Los Angeles demonstration:
Among other colorful or provocative anti-Proposition 8 signs on display around the state, some making reference to support for the initiative by Mormons:
“If heaven discriminates, I don’t want to go.”
“The same Bible was used to justify slavery.”
“Hmm. . . . What’s so traditional about polygamy?”
“Are you better off now that I can’t marry?”
“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?”
“WWJD with $76 m? Not Prop. 8.”
Flap can only imagine the film footage being accumulated for the next ballot proposition regarding gay marriage in California.
But, if the homosexual community wishes to win the next election they will have to turn out more folks and win some hearts and minds of California voters.
Today’s demonstration failed miserably in both categories.
Technorati Tags: Gay Marriage, California Proposition 8
78 Comments
Joe
You obviously weren’t there to see the protest today, because it was HUGE and in no way a failure! What kind of redneck site it this? Your attempt to include false reports to try to weaken the tide of activism that will ultimately bring justice by overturning proposition 8’s bigoted attempt to strip civil rights from citizens will be seen for what it is: more lies from the gay marriage opponents!!
no on prop 8
3 is a crowd… 10000? thousands time bigger than a crowd. that is as little attention this article gets. peace.
Robert Summers
I loved the diversity and the creativity represented in the video. Thanks for showing the multiplicity of the LGBT communities: many walks of life, many bodies, many styles, many people …
Amit business
I agree with the protesters…..every humanbeing has a right to live life in his own way….
Amit businesss last blog post..Osborne faces pressure over pound
Babsy
1,
If you don’t like rednecks then stay away from them and they will stay away from you!:-))
4,
Uhhhhhh……no, they don’t.
Aneriz
My favorite is the one were it compares the gay community to the chickens!!!
If you guys were asking to be able to stand up in your cage and move around on a circle, no doubt the voters would have complied! What you are asking is to change the fiber of our society because of your sexual preferences and not even the
chickens would sing on that one.
Babsy
The lunatic left’s mantra is always tolerance for me but not for thee. For five thousand years marriage has been definded as between a man and a woman and they wish to hijack that definition that to their own political ends. It is nothing more than another attempt by people (who really care for others!) to destroy America and install a utopian socialist state.
Flap
@1
I was not at the protest but was in the Valley as well as Burbank and Glendale. There was no sign of a No on 8 protest.
A 8,000 – 10,000 person “crowd” in Los Angeles is a joke in a 3 million plus city.
Face it Joe. There is no support for gay marriage.
Put it back on the ballot and it will fail again.
Let the court throw Proposition 8 and we will recall the entire court.
There is no public support for your cause. Thirty states have banned gay marriage. Get over it.
tom folland
I was there; it was huge. Your statement “Of course, there was the obligatory Christian and Mormon bigotry at the Los Angeles demonstration” is irresponsible and typical of right-wing divide and conquer strategies (that’s why there is so much focus on the race on voters in the right-wing press). The Bigotry of the Mormons towards gays and lesbians is why we were there. Denying a segment of the population marriage is not only bigotry, it’s an attempt to render marginalized groups less than human.
Flap
Huge, are you kidding me? Maybe in your own mind. The No on 8 demonstration was a failure. Admit it.
What do you call those signs, Tom?
Your other statements are just unhinged crapola.
Michelle
You are clearly biased, homophobic, and have no idea what you are talking about. Nice try though, unfortunately you fail in making your point…It was a historic day for civil rights and anyone who is interested will clearly see that and learn!!
By the way your “sign” quotes are pretty funny, too bad they are fake. I was there and saw many many signs such as “god loves me” and other pro-religious statements. The only negative comments on religion called out the Mormon church for presenting lies in their campaign, etc.
Flap
Good at calling me names but weak on argument.
Historic day for Civil Rights? Wow. Give me a break.
And, are you calling the Los Angele Times reports biased, inaccurate or what?
Babsy
@11.
Yes, I am biased. Can you please tell us why you need our permission to hijack the definition of marriage when Kalie-Forn-Yah has same sex partner benefits? Can you tell us how we as straight people will benefit from the glory that will be in ‘Gay Marriage’? By the way, Texas has a constitutional amendment against such tomfoolery that passed two years ago by a three to one margin.
Tammy
A crowd of 10-12,000 is certainly not a flop!!!
I am not gay, but I have many friends who are. They deserve all of the rights I have.
This is a matter of human decency and fairness. Why do people go so out of your way to hate? Why not put that energy into doing something good, something positive? Help sick children. Help the elderly.
And to #6… “What you are asking is to change the fiber of our society because of your sexual preferences”. The fiber of our society? Give me a break. Over the past year thousands of gays have married in California. How on earth did that change the fiber of our society? In Massachusetts it’s legal and they are doing just fine. Furthermore, this isn’t their ‘Sexual Preference’. How ignorant!!!
People who are gay are born that way. If you hateful anti-gay people would expand your experiences a little and get to know them you’d see it’s not simply a decision they made. Stop fearing and hating what you don’t know – that kind of behaviour has been the root of all evil in our world. Think about it.
Let them live their lives. Leave them alone!
Flap
10-12K people is a FLOP demonstration no matter how you spin it.
Leave the traditional definition of marriage alone.
Oh, that is what they have said in 30 states. Gee Whiz…..
Ed
To Babsy: WHO says that for 5000 years, marriage has been defined as between one man and one woman? If you ever took a sociology class, you would learn that in different cultures throughout the world throughout the centuries, marriage was also defined as between one man and more than one woman, one woman and more than one man; same-sex marriage was allowed in many native American cultures as well as in European cultures… get a CLUE and stop defining things by your own religion, which by the way, assuming you’re of the Judeo-Christian persuasion, is a cultural import from the Middle East, anyway.
Tammy
also, babsy-
to answer your (uneducated) question – you have to be legally married to have many rights. Marriage began as a religious ceremony and then loads of ‘rights’, that have nothing to do with religion, were attached to it. A friend of mine lost his partner to aids. They were together for 10 years, and he nursed him as he watched him die. In his final days in the hospital, he was not allowed into the room because he wasn’t married. His partner’s mom was a right-wing nutjob who insisted the hospital follow the law and not allow his partner in as he died because he wasn’t ‘family’ and they weren’t married. According to the nurse, his partner died in tears because he didn’t have the love of his life with him. Only his hateful, judgemental mother. NO body should have to die like this. The surviving partner is still grieve-stricken to this very day, 8 years later.
This is just stupid. Cruel.
That very human aspect aside, you cannot file joing taxes in a civil union as married couples can. Spousal health insurance benefits can be denied, as with Social Security survivor benefits. I know gay couples who have been together longer than most married couples I know. It is unfair that we discriminate against the gay couples.
Everyone, educate yourselves. And please, just stop hating. Being gay isn’t tomfoolery. Geez.
EVOLVE people!!!!
Flap
@Tammy
Hospital visitation rights are not at issue in Proposition 8. California already has addressed that issue with domestic partnerships.
Stop trying to change the subject.
Tammy
Flap, you hateful person. Go ahead and keep telling yourself a crowd of 10,000 plus people isnt much. Go ahead. You must be a foul, foul person. How sad that this is how you choose to spend your time: hating. Discriminating.
You are a bigot. Period.
I hope you try to do some good one day.
Tammy
flap, that was before the rights were secured via dom. partnerships.
my point was: married rights give more that dom. partnerships/civil unions. You can’d deny that.
Flap
@19 Tammy,
Please read my terms of use above and consider this a warning.
Nicole
Babsy, your version of “traditional marriage” is less than 100 years old–not 5000 years old. You need to do your research. If you wish to be traditional, perhaps you should consider arranging the marriages of your children, to your business partner’s child, or even to your brother’s sons. Sell your daughters off to the highest bidder. Within your 5000 year window there is history of popes marrying, men marrying men, siblings marrying, and polygamy… all legal. 30 yr old men commonly married 12-15 yr old girls. Marriage for thousands of years were between individuals for financial reasons, religion wasn’t involved until the 1500’s and the state wasn’t involved until the 1700’s. Love as the motivator wasn’t the norm, even in THIS country until the 1900’s. Stop believing everything you see in the movies. You obvious are oblivious to the history of marriage in the world, this country, and assorted religions. If you educate yourself on these marriages, you’ll see your version was popular in the 1950’s, and that marriage like all other things evolves with the needs of humanity. Of course you have to care about anyone besides yourself to be willing to accept change and growth. Your religious beliefs should have no bearing on another’s legal rights.
Flap
@20 You are incorrect. Not in California.
@22 Got any links to substantiate your argument?
Tammy
flap
-don’t worry, i’m signing out from this now. you clearly aren’t listening to any side other than your own, so honestly, I don’t see your purpose. all this negativity is all i can handle for one day.
Jason
Ok…I dont know who wrote the “summary” of what went down yesteday, but it was in no way a failure and as for the poor turnout, well I dont know what the author is talking about. It was wall to wall people for several city blocks. As a matter of fact I took off a little early because I was starting to feel a bit too claustrophobic. Who wrote this the head of the Mormon church?? It was an awesome display of unity and I hope that we dont stop until the California Supreme Court overturns this ridiciulous ballot measure. Can you imagine the outcry if this law was aimed at any other minority? Imagine if they told the black community or hispanic community or the Jews that they couldnt marry who they wanted. Can you even fathom something like that? The best measurement of whether or not you think this ballot measure is ok is if you can imagine yourself being ok with the results, if the results effected YOU. Would you still be ‘alright” with the way this has turned out if the results took something away from you? (Its a good equation to see if you would still feel the same way). Something else to consider is this: I have heard many people saying that “well its been put to a vote and so now thats the way it should be” as if the majority should dictate the way we should live. Imagine if you will what the outcome would have been if they had put the question of segregation up for a vote in the south in the 1950’s? What if you had let even put the question of slavery up for a vote in the 1850’s? Would those results indicate that the country should continue on the path that it had been on. Change is a difficult thing for people to embrace, but change is what is needed here. We cannot as a nation simply put peoples rights up for a simple yes or no vote. I mean today its the gays, and tomorrow….who knows, it could be….YOU!
Flap
10,000 people is not wall to wall. Maybe on a three foot wide sidewalk.
Face it the turnout was very light. It was a flop.
Nicole
Flap, how many do you want? I suppose you think I’m making this up.
Google “history of marriage” and you’ll find 10 million.
Here are just a few resources, from historical, psychological, and religious resources.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-20050506-000006.html
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09693a.htm
http://www.counterpunch.org/leupp12132003.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marriage
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/issues-action/medical-privacy/marriage-6402.htm
and in response to your post #8: You say there’s no support? You’re wrong. I support marriage between any consenting adults, including Gay Marriage and was unable to attend the protest due to work. If it makes you feel better to think this was a flop, enjoy. You are still wrong. Enjoy living in ignorance and fear.
Jason
Well you keep telling yourself that, and when they overturn it this week…you see if you can get more people to march in protest that the court RESTORED our rights…….how many do you think would take to the streets to protest the court returning civil rights instead of taking them away……..??? food for thought.
JDB
Jason
Flap. it seems that you are using or embracing the eternal method of the GOP/conservatives/right wing to exaggerate your point to make your point seem more valid. The arguement that the rally didnt garner very much support (which isnt true) still doesnt hold much water in trying to point out that the battle was over with the election and now we should just get on with out lives. That just isnt going to happen. We are in a unique situation here in CA because although there have been other ballot measures in other states. California was the only state where the right to marry already existed and then was voted away. Personally (and this is just my opinion) I think that the court will rule that since they already concluded in the first ruling that the right to marry was a “right” and that to exclude homosexuals was in fact taking that civil right away, they will conclude that this vote is unenforceable. I mean in the first ruling they said that ..yes it is a civil right and they are being excluded so that is unconstitutional and they must be allowed to marry. Now that it is established that it is in fact a right, how could they go back and say that just because its gone to a vote we are no longer going to consider it a civeil right. They have already established that it is a right and now I think they will go in and say that no matter what the “majority” says you can not take a civil right away from one group while extolling it to another……..Remember it says that ‘all men are created equal”…NOT “all men are created equal unless you happen to be gay”……I just have to ask this question though, I have to wonder if those same people who are saying now that “its been put to a vote and now its law’….I wonder if those same people will be of the same mindset when the Supreme court says that this is unconstitutional….It will be law then, and then I guess that we should all just go home and stop compalining……dont you think?
JDB
Flap
@27
We won’t take to the streets. We don’t have to make an exhibition like Saul Alinsky and the LEFT directs you.
We will gather the necessary signatures and recall the California Supreme Court while we go to federal court which will stop any stay in Prop 8.
Checkmate, dude.
Flap
@28
Ever hear of the DOMA?
Babsy
#16: I just said it. Don’t like it? So what? I don’t care.:-)
#17. If you think life is ‘fair’ then you’re dumber than a box of rocks. I didn’t vote for “NOBAMA” either! BAWHAHAHAHAHA!!
#19; But he’s a nice bigot, as am I.
#22. You’re right. How could I have ever fooled a true intellectual genius such as you? Having now had that cosmic epiphany and it’s resultant orgasm, I feel privileged to merely be on the same planet with an Enlightened Person such as yourself. What did your masters promise you for going to conservative blogs and creating agitprop? Yawn……
tom folland
Because your perceive (somehow) the turnout to be small doesn’t make prop 8 legitimate.
Flap
@32
No, the voters of California did by passing Proposition 8 on election day.
Jason
Recall the Supreme Court……IN YOUR DREAMS!! It will NEVER happen. I have to give you creidtt Flap that at least you hold your ideals so close that you actually believe that they are possible. Recall the Supreme Court? Can anybody tell me if that has ever happened? I dont think it has ever been done and I doubt it will be. The underlying issue here (and Flap you never addressed my earlier points about does a majority vote make something morally and legally binding) Number one, just because this has been put to a vote DOES NOT make it morally or legally binding. As I pointed out in an earlier post there have been any number of things in our history that would have easily passed if put to a vote and yet they no longer exist. ( for Gods sake we had a civil war because half the county thought it was their God given right to own anther human being) Yes a long bloody civil war because half the nation felt so strongly about the issue. Furthermore how many people died in the south and ignored state and federal law when they were told that they had to start segregation. These are all perfect examples of when change was forced onto the majority (sometimes with dire consequences) yet here we are a better nation for it. It is the same thing here. As far as this nonsense about a recall goes, I hardly know where to begin, or even should I. Did they recall the judge who ordered segregation? Did they recall the judge(s) who said abortion was within a womans right? It just wont happen. Your argeument starts off with the assumption that should any judge reverse this ballot measure, they woule be doing something contrary to the law or constitutuion……that is just not the case. They are intrepreting the constituion in a way that you dont agree with and that does not constitute a reason for recall. Oh Im sure there will be a lot of hub-bubbing and screaming that they overturned the will of the people, but as I said befoe the will of the people can not alway be taken for gospel.
GAME SET MATCH
JDB
Flap
@27
Your links are a joke. Planned Parenthood and wikipedia. Jokes all.
Those societies that permitted same sex debauchery have really survived the test of time, now haven’t they?
Flap
@35
Are you kidding me?
Google Rose Bird.
Voters in California have a right to amend the California Constitution. And, this is what Proposition 8 does.
Game over.
Jason
Oh and one last thing Flap……You talked about going to Federal Court if the California Supreme Court overturns Prop 8. Federal Court will most likely not take on a case like this because, as Im sure you know marriage is still a state issue. The Federal Supreme Court does not want to get there hands dirty on this because they know they will then be looked at as the last result for EVERYTHING. Marriage is a states rigthts issue and unless the the FEDS decide to venture into territory where they have never been before, I would be willing to bet you that the CA supreme court has the last word on this. If what you purport were true, why then did opponents of same sex marriage not try to have their case heard by the Federal court when the CA court said it was ok for gays to marry? Why didnt they go right to the Federal Supreme court back then? I think the answer probably is because they knew that they would not be heard.
just more food for thought
JDB
Babsy
Flapster!!! You should reconsider. It was a HUGE turnout! 12,000 is 0.4% of LA’s population! How could anyone with twelve functioning neurons not see this as a HUGE MANDATE for CHANGE!!!!???? Bawhahahahaha!!!!
Flap
@38
No, you are wrong again.
Proposition 8 signatures were already being gathered when the California Supreme Court ruled in May of this year. Why make a federal challenge when it is more expedient to change the California Constitution? Which was done.
Should the California Supreme Court overturn Proposition 8, suit WILL be filed in federal court and the California Court will be recalled.
The will of California voters will prevail.
Face it, dude.
You lost.
Flap
@39
Now, don’t make fun of their HUGE turn-out.
Remember when the illegal aliens turned out hundreds of thousands.
Gay marriage – not so much.
Jason
Ok Flap….touche…Rose Bird…Good luck getting it done again over this.
I can see the commercials now……They voted to let homosexuals get married…….lets show them!!
again I pay homage to you ideals……but I think you are on the sinking end of this ship.
JDB
Gotta run….nice chattin with you……but Im gonna go have some hot man sex with my husband!!
(God that must be killin you huh)…….
Flap
Whatever floats your boat, man.
The commercials will be easy – “whether you like it or not.”
See you soon.
Nicole
ha, Babsy found her thesaurus and retorted with attitude and anger. I never regarded education as a cosmic epiphany. It’s hard to believe we ARE on the same planet.
#32, In the fashion you are able to communicate in:
You’re still an idiot. The truth is too difficult for you to acknowledge. Your lack of ability to debate differences of opinion without feeling insulted and put down is a shame.
I’m sorry you feel stupid. Just check your facts before thinking you know everything. Statements like “For five thousand years marriage has been definded as between a man and a woman” are misinformed. “Definded” isn’t even a word. 5000 years is an inaccurate timeline for your reasoning, historically in error of your statement. I don’t have a problem with you being uncomfortable with people that aren’t just like you, or disagreeing with me, but if you aren’t qualified to have an intelligent conversation or debate on an issue, what gives you the right to legislate it. Next thing you’ll be calling me a fornicator.
It + is = it’s, I think you meant “its resultant orgasm” (glad I could oblige and I’m not even a lesbian). Mastery of the English language shouldn’t be so difficult.
Am I right that you don’t even live in California (which you seem to despise so much) but hail from Texas? Why would your opinion matter to us as you continue to insult us? Stay in Texas, make your own laws. Why do you care what we do here–does it make your life better or does it just scare you that things somewhere might change? I acknowledge that this is Flap’s blog. Of course he’ll get the last word but he also moderates this blog and makes the choice to allow the posting of these alternative views. Hey a hit to your site is still a hit to your site.
Babsy, unfortunately you do feel privileged. Privileged to have the right to happiness and deny it to others.
In the end there are no nice bigots. (and if you are PROUD of calling yourself one, you really are a lost soul.)
The church has never had a monopoly on marriage. Monogamous marriage originated from men wanting vaginal rights over women, to guarantee the authenticity of bloodlines. All it takes is a modicum of research by an interested individual to find historical truth.
Our constitution ensures our rights to our own religious and moral beliefs, and separation of church and state. American law doesn’t allow for legislating morality. Morals aside, this is an issue of equal treatment under the law. You wouldn’t allow discrimination against yourself without an argument. If you want to follow 5000 years of tradition, perhaps you support the concept of slavery as well, it was for many centuries an accepted practice throughout the world. Where do you draw the line between right and wrong? 100 years ago, our newly elected president’s parents wouldn’t have had the right to marry. Inclusion evolves through generations. Do you really want to live like 5000 years ago?
Perhaps history will show Flap is right, and this turn out is low by comparison. Perhaps he blogged about it because he’s disappointed in the turn out, expecting more to show up. Perhaps he included it just to rile us all up. All I’m saying is that this one protest march in itself doesn’t mean that no one supports inclusion and hateful beliefs will not stop the advancement of a more homogenous kinder society. This protest wasn’t the necessary tool in winning many California hearts and votes, not the majority this time, but a still a very significant percentage.
Nicole
@36
same sex debauchery? Ha! you have NO control over that. Marriage may be the issue, but relationships and families you have no control over.
@39 miss babs, how ’bout the 5,301,540 people that voted against Prop 8, who cares about the march. 47% of Californian’s want fairness.
Sounds like Flap thinks ILLEGAL Aliens should have more rights than American citizens. hmmm. Bigger voice in the Mexican border states on that occasion, I’ll give you that. If you wanna think this march represents the voice of gay marriage support, I guess the conservatives have to feel they’re winning somewhere. the next four years will be much more fun than the last 8. Despite the disaster George is leaving the country in, we do have HOPE. We see the country having the ability to be more well than damaged. Whether YOU like it or not. ha.
mmm hot man sex.
Flap
Traditonal marriage won on November 4th as it has in every state where there has been an election.
Whether you like it or not…..
Babsy
Yes, Nicky, you’re correct in my misspelling of ‘its’ (possessive form). I failed to proofread my reply before posting, but you know how us idiots are. There is one thing you seem to be unable to comprehend in our spirited exchanges: I DON’T CARE WHAT YOU WANT. Got that? Have a pleasant evening.
Nicole
The term “traditional” still cracks me up. Highest divorce rates, highest adultery rates. Huge percentage of sexual dysfunction and perversity comes from forcing people into little boxes where they don’t fit.
In 5-10 years the 65 and up electorate that was the only group with a majority voting for prop 8 will be past having their voice heard. If marriage doesn’t evolve it will become an unnecessary and antiquated institution. I could care less. Hold onto the 50’s. Believe in fairy tales. It doesn’t change my life or choices. When you support the government legislating my bedroom, it gives me the right to legislate yours. Maybe we should just take everyone’s marriage rights away.
In California the electorate doesn’t have the sole right to revise the constitution. This won’t be the last word, no more than Prop 22 was. You can’t stop progress. Enjoy your one little temporary victory.
busytimmy
Wow Flap,
From how you extol traditional marriage you would think that straight people have made it an unequaled success! and which point in the 5,000+ years of man/woman marriage would you like to point to for reference? When women were the property of their husbands, polygamous marriages (in the Bible), arranged marriages, divorced marriages? You remind me of the folks that are constantly quoting Leviticus as justification for outdated and ignorant points of view. Grow up and learn that civil and human rights are not up for popular vote. If you want a theocracy, move to Iran.
Nicole
See, Babsy, it doesn’t matter to me if care what I want.
But you do. If you didn’t you wouldn’t have such issue with my stance. You care so much that it’s funny. You’re just mad because you know I’m right.. go look at your husband’s history log, and you can see how perfect traditional marriage is. If traditional marriage is so great, why do men need so much porn to supplement their oh so happy homes? Mrs. Traditional Marriage hates to admit that marriage isn’t perfect. It means they have to recognize just how unhappy they really are. Marriage for most women are a way to trap a man into paying her bills. A way to make someone else responsible for their happiness, someone to blame when they are unhappy,. Men stay married because they don’t want to pay more not because they are happy. And when they get sick of women like Babs nagging them, they find some sweet girl to make them feel like a man again. (it only takes a comment and a smile not a roll in the hay.)
The gay couples I know have much more authentic relationships and lives than you Traditionalists. How truly honest can you be without worrying about losing your meal ticket? They are brave enough to be honest with themselves. Take the silver spoons out of your mouths and smell the manure. Keeping marriage “traditional” is a frantic attempt to keep fooling yourselves that you are faithful, happy, and fulfilled by marriage. Your piece of paper does not a lifelong commitment make.
I have a feeling I’ll be voting in California long after you.