Proposition 8
Proposition 8
Eliminates the Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry Act or now fondly known as Proposition 8 was the initiative on the November 2008 California voter ballot which altered the California Constitution by defining marriage as between one man and one woman. In May of 2008, a 4-3 decision in California’s Supreme Court rules in favor of plaintiffs who argued that the 2000 laws banning same-sex marriage in the state was discriminatory. California’s decision to legalize gay marriage made it the second state in America to come to this decision. However, this ruling resulted in Proposition 8 and prompted an anti gay marriage campaign. Before being called Eliminates the Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry Act, Proposition 8 was called California Marriage Protection Act; however the name was changed by Attorney General Jerry Brown to accurately reflect what the true meaning of the act was.
Prop 8 Supporters
Conservative organizers with ties to the anti-gay group Focus on the Family placed Proposition 8 on the ballot. The initiative to place Proposition 8 on the November 2008 ballot gained public support from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, California’s Roman Catholic bishops, and several evangelical ministries. There has also been a great deal of public opposition to California’s Proposition 8. Many gay rights groups in California as well as celebrities have joined the fight against Proposition 8. Brad Pitt stated in September 2008, “No one has the right to deny another in their life, even though they disagree with it, because everyone has the right to live the life they so desire if it doesn’t harm another and because discrimination has no place in America, my vote will be for equality and against Proposition 8.” He also donated $100,000 to the fight against Proposition 8. Aside from Brad Pitt, Steven Spielberg and his wife Kate Kapshaw followed suite with a $100,000 donation of their own. Ellen DeGeneres has also voiced her opposition to California’s Proposition 8. Proposition 8 passed by a vote of 52.2% approved to 47.5 opposed, defining marriage in the California constitution as between one man and one woman. Same-sex couples, who got married during this brief period, will not be affected by Proposition 8 and their marriages will still be recognized.
Against Prop 8
The fight against Proposition 8 continues, as there is still a great deal of campaigning, lawsuits have been filed, and Governor Schwarzenegger has called the passing of Proposition 8 unfortunate and hopes that the California Supreme Court will overturn the measure. 