The tremendous turnout since the passage of Proposition 8 in rallies across California has rejuvenated the fight for equal marriage rights for gays and lesbians. The only thing that leaves me dumbfounded is, where were these people before Nov. 4? Where were the swarms of people knocking on doors, phone-banking and holding rallies in favor of same-sex marriage?
It’s easier to be angry than productive, and that is exactly what I have seen in newspapers every day since Election Day. When the California Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples had the same rights to marry as straight couples, it was a big step forward, not only for the state of California, but for the United States. However proud we were that same-sex couples now had the same rights as everyone else in our state, we were too complacent. Many of us couldn’t have seen “liberal” California voting by a 52 percent majority to pass a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
The people of California spoke on Nov. 4 and by a 52 percent majority passed that hateful proposition. As inconceivable as it is for some of us to imagine why people would care if gay people get married or how that affects us as Californians at all, the proposition passed and left us all with this empty, defeated feeling and a little bit of anger. In fits of rage from Facebook statuses to 1,000-person rallies, people got mad at the voters and supporters of Proposition 8.
While it is understandable for people to protest outside a Mormon Temple on Nov. 6th in all their displeasure that members of the church funded 40 percent of the “Pro-Prop 8″ campaign, I am here to say that people should be mad at themselves for letting this happen.
I firmly believe that if the hordes of people that have come out since the election to protest the passing of the proposition had dedicated their time and energy before the election to defeat it, same-sex couples could have retained their right to marry.
My plea to you here is not to be angry anymore, but to be productive. Take that anger that you may be feeling now, that disgust, and go out and take action. Keep on attending those rallies and blogging, but remember the feeling you felt on Nov. 6 and go campaign in the 2010 election to support gay rights and help California see the light of fairness and equality.
Remember that feeling you felt on Nov. 6, and make sure you never feel the same way again. Be productive and active in the next campaign for fairness, equality and all subsequent campaigns you may support in your life. So the next election day and every one after, you can wake up the morning after feeling accomplished and proud to be a Californian.
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Rose is a second-year business economics student.