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Although not all precincts have reported in (5%) more to go as of 8:45 a.m., the writing is on the wall--Proposition 8, the ballot initiative that sought to eliminate gay marriage in California has done just that. A close race, yes, but yes votes outnumbered no votes by over 400,000, or 4.2%. Even in LA County, the majority of voters said yes on Prop 8.
Over $74 million was spent by both sides combined making this the most expensive prop across the nation.
"We caused Californians to rethink this issue," Proposition 8 strategist Jeff Flint said in the LA Times. Prop 8 was generally thought to be a losing initiative in polls before the election until the "children will be taught gay marriage" issue came up in TV commercials. The ads seemed to work so the campaign stuck with them even though on August 7th a juged ruled that the official ballot language could not contain statements that were used in commercials.
For now, the fate of the 18,000 couples who wed between June and Noveber 4th is up in the air. Will they be able to stay legally married or will the courts reverse their vows?
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This really, really puts a damper on the Obama celebrations. Argh.
Agreed, queequeg. It's so bittersweet.
This battle can't be over.
As the saying goes, the opera ain't over 'till the fat lady sings. While it appears that she's warming up off stage, she hasn't sung yet. Even when it reaches 100% precincts reporting, the margin is close enough that they will need to count late mail-in and provisional ballots. Beyond that, there's still going to be a court fight over whether or not the amendment is legal.
it hurts to think of all those hateful jerks i stood across the street from on Sunday here downtown are celebrating their "win".
it's a black mark on our constitution. i just hope my friends who got married will stay married.
my prediction: the courts will determine that the word "marriage" can no longer be used in a legal sense and that EVERYONE will be entitled only to civil unions.
that would be justice IMHO.
What a HORRIBLE HEADLINE!
Is it REALLY "the END"? Forever and ever?
Methinks it was written by a Prop 8 supporter. It comes off that way. YUCK, Laist.
Special thanks to the 70% of black Californians who voted for separate but equal.
The End of Gay MArriage until 2010. Who wants to write a ballot prop with me? I'm having a drafting session this afternoon.
What an unbelievable pile of festering arse.
I thought we were supposed to be the most progressive state in the union? It pains me to say it, but California I'm disappointed in you.
Maybe first gay prez in...2108?
Not sure why LAist has twice censored my comment, which is actual fact, that high black turnout for Obama, coupled with the fact that 70% of them voted for Separate but Equal, was a big contributor. I don't think this violates the Comment Policy....are we not allowed to mention race on LAist??????Doesn't that raise an interesting point?
Good to see irony is alive and well in California.
This is far from over.
I am one half of one of the 18,000 married gay couples in California. The state cannot take my marriage away - it is a contract that was entered into between my husband, myself and the State of California.
Quoting our state attorney general:
Read up: Institute of Governmental Studies | Hot Topic | November 2008 General Election | Proposition 8
A special thanks to all of those who voted in favor of discrimination. Especially those that were discriminated against in regards to marriage rights until 1967.
Gee, when something is struck down as unconstitutional and you decide to enshrine discrimination into your constitution to get around that loophole... something is wrong.
It's horrible that a simple majority can change our state constitution. Something has to be done to protect the rights of minorities.
BBP, don't be a dolt, clearly you have no idea who Zach is or what he stands for, NOR have you read any of his other posts. Le sigh.
if i don't get all the rights, then why should i have all the responsibilities? goodbye jury duty, goodbye state income tax
seriously people -- it's time to protest and get mad
Ironically, on a night when America elected it's first black President, African Americans voted overwhelmingly for Prop 8.
And you can thank "Mr. Whether You Like It or Not" Gavin Newsom. The San Francisco mayor became the face of the Yes on 8 crowd, and put a final nail in it's coffin when he presided over a wedding of a lesbian couple which was attended by a class of SF 1st graders.
The only good news that comes out of all this is that Newsom has effectively destroyed his gubernatorial chances.
Such a terrible outcome. We were so close.
stop the bitching - if you want something passed, put it on a ballot and let the citizens decided (as opposed to legislating by the judiciary branch)....
SF City Attorney to file legal challenge to Prop 8.
This election has brought up a lot of things we need to change in our constitution. Two big things I'm thinking of: out-of-state funding and simple majority for approving amendments on our ballot.
I'm with you MarkV. I almost mentioned this yesterday. If the GLBT community are not treated as full citizens, then don't participate as a full citizen. Don't pay taxes, dodge the next draft, etc. Hopefully someone will take a stand and it will lead to a lawsuit mandating EQUALITY for ALL, because separate is NOT equal!
Just because a majority of Californians have enshrined discrimination into our constitution doesn't make it right.
i told you all that prop 8 would pass make peace not war you have civil unions but not marriage in california unless you have a sex change operation . Marriage is beween a man and a woman in California move to another state if you do not like it
ven_nm, what if a majority of the population are bigots? Shouldn't the government protect minority rights?
It's also impossible, really, to "legislate" from the judicial branch. That's what the legislative branch is for. The judicial branch reviews laws and either upholds or overturns them based on the constitution (and sometimes precedent). So by overturning a law which discriminated against minorities, no matter if it was approved by the legislator or by ballot initiative, they are doing their damn JOB. What do you think they SHOULD do? Sit there and say they intend to just put their seal of approval on everything that moves through their court?
lahipster, civil unions are NOT the same as marriages. Separate is not equal. I know that probably goes over your head. I would tell you to look up SCOTUS cases to back up this assertion, but I'm sure it would be beyond your mental capacity.
marriage should not be something the government approves or disapproves of.
Adults should be allowed to marry who they please.
Prop 8 was more to do with EQUAL rights, and a majority of Californians said forget equal rights.
I hope a drive begins to remove the states authority on marriage and make it a spiritual/religious matter.
I'm white and if I fall in love with a non-white and want to marry her, the voters are saying they have the right to stop me. Isn't something wrong with that?
ONE HUGE STEP BACK for our state.
Agree w/ Buzz, above. The law should be civil unions for all; marriage for none. Get "married" by your priest, rabbi or shaman of choice.
Who knew there were *so* many hateful bigots, hell-bent on forcing their religious mores down everyone's throats in "liberal" "progressive" California? What a shame.
The courts will strike this down; it reeks of unconstitutionality. Majorities are always "right" when it comes to issues of rights and discrimination. Sometimes, it's the few who must protect the common good. Remember the South, people? Civil Rights are still at issue, even if Barack Obama's election to the highest office in the land (hooray!) suggests we are moving beyond racial prejudice.
CORRECTION: "Majorities AREN'T always right, &c, &c...."
Sorry my boss keeps interupting me, wanting me to "do work" or something. :-p
This isn't over. We need to re-amend this out of the constitution and after that we should fight to raise the bar for constitutional changes. It seems absurd to me a CA constitutional changes needs only a 50% majority, when a sales tax needs a 2/3 vote. The U.S. Constitution requires a 2/3 majority of congress and a 3/4 majority of states in a special election.
"...we should fight to raise the bar for constitutional changes. It seems absurd to me a CA constitutional changes needs only a 50% majority, when a sales tax needs a 2/3 vote." - GarySe7en
Yes, situations like this give new meaning to the phrase *simple* majority. Simple, alright.
Is there a "double jeopardy" law with regards to votable issues (such as propositions), as opposed to crimes? California has twice voted on this issue, each time voting in favor of traditional marriage.
There's going to be an equality rally at the Design Center tonight at 7pm.
Read the exit poles! 70% of African Americans voted yes on Prop 8. Pretty sad. The glbt community needs an outreach to the aa community.
Beth, Catholics voted for Obama and for Prop 8 overwhelmingly.
30% of those from exit polls were catholic, 64% for prop 8, 59% for obama.
30% Catholics vs. 10% african americans.