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Chip Garcia Coakley leads marchers walking to a Meet in the Middle 4 Equality rally in Fresno, Calif. on Saturday, May 30, 2009 to protest the California Supreme Court decision to uphold Proposition 8 which bans gay marriage in the state Constitution. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)
About 3,000 people descended upon on Fresno Saturday for the Meet in the Middle 4 Equality to protest Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in California and was upheld by the state Supreme Court last week. First, a group marched 14.5-miles from Selma to Fresno's city hall followed by a rally with speakers including Charlize Theron, T.R. Knight, Eric McCormack, Cleve Jones, Rick Jacobs, Robin McGehee and Robin Tyler.
"This truly felt like the start of the movement to repeal Prop H8, the start of a new way forward on securing equality in California and nationwide," wrote a blogger about his Fresno experience on Pam's House Blend. "I had so many questions before last weekend. And honestly, I still don't know exactly what lies ahead. However, I had many of my questions answered as I saw a glimpse of hope rising after the storm."
Then on Sunday,3,000 supporters of Prop 8 came out to rally in town (another rally was scheduled in San Diego). "It's not Prop. 8 anymore," Rev. Jim Franklin, a local pastor, said. "It's now an official part of our constitution. It upholds the people's right to govern themselves and it defines marriage in the state of California as between one man and one woman."
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Fresno's 200+ miles away, what's this have to do with LA?
We cover state issues that affect locals, too. This was a meet in the middle event for people from LA, SF and other parts of the state to meet up about one central issue that is very important to our city. Thanks!
Fresno doesn't have an ist.
Exactly, because people don't care about what happens there.
I wonder why some one always feels the need to chime in with "That's not about L.A.".
There are some issues that affect us here in L.A. even when they are happening some where else.
Probably because most people visit IST sites to learn about LOCAL news, issues and events that the mainstream media does not cover as well. Covering general state issues is not something that IST sites do any better than say the LA Times; so why do it and risk sending readers away?
As important as an issue as gay marriage is, at the end of the day it is a niche issue, a state and not local issue, and is covered way too much here. May as well set up Gayist and be done with it.
Can you take a picture of the guy holding a gun to your head forcing you to read LAist?
I trust the editors of this blog to keep the content relevant so I'm not going anywhere.
Gayist? Oh please Lionel. Prop 8 is a civil rights issue. We should all be concerned when a thin majority of voters can take away ANY group of people's civil rights. Your's might be next.
Thanks for the article on Fresno and Prop 8 Yes/No. It is important to both sides of the issue nationwide...not just California so keep reporting. Correction on your numbers in the article....3,000 folks in Saturday Marriage Equality Rally is correct...however Sunday Rally for Traditional Marriage drew 100 to 300 at the most. I attended both.
HOMOSEXUALITY IS WRONG
MAKE HOMOSEXUALITY ILLEGAL
Just to clarify some of the information you all may or may have not received regarding Meet in The Middle.
The reason Fresno was chosen as the place to hold such an event, is because Fresno is a near resemblence of the demographic of the nation in relation to how American's feel regarding the issue of Same Sex Marriage. The county of Fresno voted for Prop 8, with overwhelming support of nearly 64%.The message received at Meet in The Middle was that we as the LGBTQ community need to plan a new strategy for bridging the gap between the
pro- Same Sex Marriage supporters and the anti-Same Sex Marriage supporters. Our message is that we need to tell our stories to those whom have a different perspective on the issue, so that we can show those individuals that we want the same things for our children, our communities and our world.
Not only is this a big change in the agenda, we also wish to alter the direction, by not declaring our right to marry, but yet our claim for Equal Rights!!