Those committed enough to attend their Friday classes were greeted in Bruin Plaza by signs and speakers protesting Proposition 8, a measure that would ban same-sex marriage in California.
Members of Delta Lambda Phi, a fraternity for gay, bisexual and progressive men, joined volunteers from the Student Coalition for Marriage Equality in dispersing fliers, speaking with students about the proposition, collecting donations and registering volunteers for phone-bank campaigns and other events.
“People have been coming up and saying, “˜We hate on 8,’ and have been asking for fliers and pamphlets to hand out. We’ve gotten a lot of good responses,” said James Stinebaugh, a 2004 UCLA graduate.
Stinebaugh explained that many of the students who encountered the demonstration picked up signs, donned T-shirts and greeted passersby to show their support.
In total, the organization “No on 8, Equality for All” reported $100 in donations and 70 phone-bank volunteers.
At noon outside Kerckhoff Hall, speakers including Paul Von Blum, a lecturer in the Afro-American studies department, told of the importance of protecting citizens’ rights including equal rights to marriage.
“His comments were really inspiring,” said Danny Torres, a fourth-year political science and Chicana/o studies student and director of Queer Alliance. “We’re trying to infringe upon people’s rights and actually put it into the constitution. This is appalling.”
During the demonstration, word of Friday’s Connecticut Supreme Court ruling in favor of same-sex marriages was still on the lips of the event’s volunteers and attendees.
There was seldom mention of views opposing same-sex marriage ““ or any pro-Proposition 8 sentiment for that matter ““ throughout most of the day, but occasional arguments did break out between individuals of opposing views.
“I consider Proposition 8 and same-sex marriage to be a direct affront to my faith,” said Lynn Jackson, a vendor who was working on campus and stopped and argued with several student demonstrators at once for more than 20 minutes.
Jackson cited scripture while students responded with arguments against the involvement of faith in the American democratic system.
The arguments remained civil, however, as none of those involved left the argument without making it clear that they respectfully disagreed with the opposing viewpoint, and handshakes were always exchanged between disputants.
“I have a very complex relationship with people like this because I want to be rational ““ I want to talk to them and work things out. But when people start spouting off rapture, you know the conversation is potentially lost,” said Mikey Hawley, a third-year theater student who said he was opposed to the proposition and that he frequently stops to speak to demonstrators on Bruin Walk about their views.
Hawley explained that he is often frustrated by what he said were arguments that never lead to much resolution, and, in consequence, he tries to add humor or a smile to the often heavy-handed content of the discussions.
“I’m trying to make light of a situation that is so blown out of proportion. The fact that this is even on the ballot, with the things we already have to worry about in this country, with the financial crisis that we are in … it’s frightening.”
For footage and reactions to the rally against Proposition 8, visit dailybruin.com/dbtv