Politics | 11/04/2008 8:15 am

California Votes on Controversial Gay Marriage Ban, Proposition 8

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

California voters are racing to the polls today to decide the fate of a controversial ballot measure that would ban gay marriage.

Proposition 8, which would amend the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriage, has been extremely close in recent polling, with the Field Poll last week showing 49% against and 44% in favor of the measure, with 7% undecided, reports the LA Times.

Besides the presidential race between John McCain and Barack Obama, California’s fight over gay marriage is among nation’s most closely watched contests. Volunteers from around the country have staffed phone banks, and campaign contributions have come from every state in the nation to the "no" campaign, and every state but Vermont to the "yes" side.

Even former President Clinton weighed in.

"If I know one thing about California, I know that is not what you’re about. That is not what America is about. Please vote ‘no’ on 8. It’s unfair and it’s wrong," Clinton said in a taped call to millions of voters a few days ago.

But the fight has, in some cases, gotten downright nasty.

One elderly California couple was punched by a neighbor during an angry confrontation over Proposition 8 yard signs. Investigators say the couple — a 76-year-old man and his 77-year-old wife — had placed a "Yes on Prop. 8" sign in their yard, which caused their 53-year-old neighbor to allegedly place a "No on Prop. 8" sign on the couple’s property. A fight then broke out.

Afraid the ban just might pass, The New York Times reports that some gay couples are rushing to get married now.

San Francisco couple Sharna Fey and Kim Broadbeck have married three times — in 2004, on an island in 2005 — neither ceremony was legal. They also married on Monday, when it really counted under the law. They did that last ceremony in a hurry.

“We’re doing this while we still can,” said Fey, 44, a life coach who has been with Broadbeck for 11 years. “I mean, trust me, we feel married. But this is a legal response.”

In San Francisco, voters will also cast their ballots for or against city Proposition K — which forbids local authorities from investigating, arresting or prosecuting anyone for selling sex, prostitution wouldn’t exactly be legalized, but ladies of the night couldn’t be chased down. The San Francisco Chronicle is in opposition to the measure.

16 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Ahhh yes the ole, “if we allow gays to marry, then we will be forced to legalize beastiality” arguement. Or another one, “If we allow gays to marry then we have to legalize pedophilia”. Oh please, c’mon we are talking about two consenting adults, who love one another, and whose love is just as valid as in heterosexual relationships. Again the bible is used for fear mongering, God once against used as a scare tactic. How intolerant and sad. I have gay and lesbian friends, some that are parents, isn’t it funny, their kids are all “straight”, they have not been “corrupted” by their parents homosexuality. Infact, they are proud of their “gay” parents. They live in loving, wonderful environments, with two parents that work hard, pay taxes, own homes, drive cars, have pets, and pay monthly bills, ohh you know, sort of like the way it is in heterosexual homes. You can say you are not judging homosexuals, but you are. Just by the very fact that you would deny them the same rights and liberties you benefit from and enjoy, is judgement in itself. Oh and gays and lesbians have been around since the begining of time, it’s not some recent fad or “choice”. Prop 8, isn’t a bible issue, it is a Constitutional issue. It is a human issue. You cannot proclaim equality for all, when willing to leave any “human” behind, regardless of sexuality. I am a heterosexual woman, a mother, a wife. I also believe in God, and my God is shaking his head in sadness, because we “humans” still don’t get it!

By Catherine Kaiman on 11/12/2008 10:16 pm