Prop 8, a ballot measure that passed in California this past election to ban gay marriage, impacts more than just Californians. It not only blatantly discriminates against homosexuals it also violates the constitution by limiting individual civil rights. Less than 50 years ago interracial marriages were illegal and before that blacks were not allowed to marry or vote:
"This may be the first time civil rights have been put to a popular vote. (Both the women's right to vote and the civil rights acts of the '60s were the result of legislation in the House and Senate.) California was also the first state to strike down bans on interracial marriage in 1948, and now has become the first state to take away a currently existing civil right from a group of citizens."
Last weekend Chad and I joined thousands(5,000?) people in downtown Chicago to protest Prop 8's passing into California law. The crowds of both gays and straights took to the streets, stopping traffic, chanting "Yes We Can" and "Equal Rights! NOW!" while onlookers cheered us on. It was an amazing and uplifting experience. Apparently there were protests in many other cities across the country including our dear old SF. For more info check out the organizers: http://jointheimpact.com/
here's some selected pix from the day (taken from Chad's Camera)
http://flickr.com/photos/shaynakatherine/sets/72157609228008015/
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