No on Prop 8!
Friday, November 7th, 2008“WHAT DO WE WANT??!?”
“EQUALITY!”, my voice rang out with the crowd.
“WHEN DO WE WANT IT??!?”
“NOW!”, the crowd sang on without me.
Why didn’t I yell along? I wasn’t confused by the question or the time line set in vocal chant, I just wanted to yell out “LAST TUESDAY AFTER THE POLLS CLOSED!”
However, as we stomped East along Santa Monica Blvd on our way through Beverly Hills and beyond, I was struck silent by the question of “when?”
Proposition 8 was on the California State ballot this November 4th. This proposition (for lack of a better word) proposed that the state Constitution be amended to define marriage as a union specifically between a man and a woman, which would overturn a recent California Supreme Court decision that recognized same-sex marriage in California as a fundamental right. A “yes” vote on Prop 8 would amend the State Constitution thus eliminating the right for everyone to marry, and in turn, a vote of “NO” would allow California to carry on as we have been for months now, with marriage rights to everyone.
After the polls closed on Tuesday night, although there were still votes to be counted, it was projected that Prop 8 would pass and the presumed liberal Californian voters would eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry. Understandably, taking away people’s rights in this country doesn’t just get a “we understand, maybe next time” nod from the crowd, so people took to the streets to let Los Angeles know exactly what they thought.
So, now here I am among a crowd of hundreds of people who are stopping traffic, waving flags, and calling out to the vehicles who are waiting and honking in support, that they want what everyone else has, and they want it right now. Accompanying the protesters were about a dozen police officers on motorcycles, keeping the crowd as well as the oncoming traffic safe. Marching with the crowd, I noticed the cars waiting and business owners alike along the protest route would honk and yell in support and the crowd would yell and chant back at them. Which leads me to the question, “If everyone supports equal marriage rights, why did Proposition 8 pass?” No sooner did I ask myself this question, than an irate pedestrian approached the street and started yelling back at the crowd.
“Stop wasting our money!” he yelled.
I’m not sure what that had to do with equal rights, but the previously organized crowd heard this guy and turned to him and chanted the guy out of the street and back down the sidewalk path from which he came. This all happened within a few minuets, and with the protest protester gone, the march continued toward the East.
So back to my question of “when?”. I’m not sure, is the answer to be honest. But what a great country we live in where you can not only hear about both sides of a debate, but see it march down the street. Personally, I’m not gay nor do I plan on getting married anytime soon, but I don’t think that should stop anyone else from having the choice to marry when ever they feel the time is right for them. So, if you see this on-going debate pass along the roadway, give a honk and and yell of support, or even better, get out of your vehicle and stride along beside them.
WHAT DO WE WANT?!
EQUALITY!
WHEN DO WE GET IT?!
Soon, I hope.
Follow the blood-red carpet to the fifth annual Muse Costume Ball! The first half of the night kicks off with live music by 
