70% of African Americans backed Prop. 8, exit poll finds

A lot of Obama/Yes-on-8 voters? The Associated Press exit polls show that African Americans and Latinos backed Proposition 8 in good numbers. Details here from AP:

California's black and Latino voters, who turned out in droves for Barack Obama, also provided key support in favor of the state's same-sex marriage ban. Seven in 10 black voters backed a successful ballot measure to overturn the California Supreme Court's May decision allowing same-sex marriage, according to exit polls for The Associated Press.

More than half of Latino voters supported Proposition 8, while whites were split. Religious groups led the tightly organized campaign for the measure, and religious voters were decisive in getting it passed. Of the seven in 10 voters who described themselves as Christian, two-thirds backed the initiative. Married voters and voters with children strongly supported Proposition 8. Unmarried voters were heavily opposed.

-- Shelby Grad

Photo: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[JP]

The statistics do not surprise me at all. Blacks and latinos don't equate gay civil rights with racial civil rights and they have their bibles to support their prejudice and intolerance. I do remember hearing for years, "We're all the same under the skin." Oh, that was only for people of color apparently.

Hypocrites.

[Andrew]

Jax from Canada, I couldn't agree more. It was somewhat surreal, and ultimately stomach-turning, knowning that as I stood in line at the polls Tuesday morning, that the others standing in line with me would be allowed to determine what MY rights should be. It highlights a fundamental flaw with the American political system, and the California initiative process in particular. Uneducated, easily swayed voters should not be allowed to put propositions on the ballot. That is why we elect representatives and appoint an impartial judiciary.

[Black Christian]

Well said K.P.

I'm shocked that ONLY two-thirds of Christians backed Prop 8. The Bible CLEARLY states what God's thoughts are on homosexuality. (Romans 1:26-28; Leviticus 18:22). To summarize, God calls it an "abomination", "unnatural", and "indecent".

Apparently one-third of so-called Christians only believe a portion of God's word. That's like saying, "Lord, I know you're omniscient, but I know more than YOU about this particular matter, God. Thanks for allowing me to live in a country where I can freely worship you and vote, but I think you're wrong about homosexuality. Oh, by the way, please heal our nation Lord."

You hypocrites can't have it both ways!

By the way, stop putting the homosexuals on the same civil rights stage as being a racial or gender minority! Nowhere in the Bible does God say that being black, Hispanic, a woman, etc is an "abomination", "unnatural", or "indecent".

Most workplaces give the same benefits/perks to same-sex domestic partnerships anyway, so what's all the fuss about?

[Sean Collins]

One step forward and one step back for America! Other countries look to the USA as an example of how people can be treated equally. It was great to see an African-American elected president. One wonders if considerations of human rights played a large part in this when it seems that so many voters were ready to trample on the hope for equality of gay people.
I am sure that in the USA, like other countries, married people get enormous tax benefits not available to others. They promise to stay together for life. Usually they don't but they do not give back the tax benefits they gained through their mistake when all goes wrong. It all seems unfair to me.
Perhaps those who think marriage is so sacred that gays shouldn't touch it should work on banning divorce rather than "beating up" on gays.
Sean Collins, Melbourne, Australia

[jack]

I guess every group needs some other group to kick to the back of the bus. For blacks, gays will serve that function.

[AB]

For those who think Barack Obama will change the black community's mind about gay marriage, take a look at his record. He said on a few occasions that he is not in favor of gay marriage. Prop 8 supporters put out flyers with his and black pastors' quotes against gay marriage. Although neither I nor my wife is black, we received a few of these flyers in the mail. I thought it was quite clever: Using a liberal politician to support a socially conservative position.

[Max]

Usually when a campaign loses, the campaign strategy is questioned not the voters. Perhaps the "No On 8" side decided that Latino and African-American votes weren't as important. I know "Yes on 8" knocked on my door, "No On 8" spent all their time on the Westside.

[Dan Simon]

The basic equality and right to marry if they so wish should NOT be up to voters at all - it should be an automatic right in a free country such as the US, and not up to a bunch of hateful, bigoted, religious fanatics.
Outlawing African-Americans being able to marry (or, hey, ride the bus with whites) would NEVER be up for a 'vote' - rightly so. How can this be?
I am ashamed, truly and deeply, and this major step backwards for California.

[Mars]

I am a black man and am ashamed to see, but not surprised, that so many blacks do not favor same-sex marriage. Blacks, as a racial minority, have been discriminated against and continue to be in 2008. I find it so interesting that this same group of people chooses to discriminate against another minority group. And why should anybody be concerned with who people marry?? It's not your relationship. Gay marriage in Massachusetts has been legal for four years and life has continued as usual. Anybody who voted in favor of this should think about any point in their lives in which they were told they could not do something because they are "different." What is wrong with people? Spend some time doing something constructive.

[Andrew]

The more I think about it, I think a group of gay citizens should begin circulating a petition to eliminate rights for blacks, Latinos, and Mormons. There is absolutely no difference between that and what was put done to gays and lesbians yesterday. Let's see, how about requiring African Americans to pay a poll tax to vote. There's nothing in the California Constitution to prevent an initiative for that. Or how about an amendment that forbids Latinos from owning property five miles from the beach. Sounds ludicrous, but legally there is no difference between that and what happened yesterday.

[Ned Mandigo]

I find it Ironic blacks would celebrate Obama's victory in the Black Gay Capitol of Los Angeles; Leimert Park where black gay cruising is such a problem the city has debated closing the area after dark.

[Drew]

@Jax

So, being able to prosecute pastors for preaching what is in the Bible is a good thing?

I refer you to these incidents...

- The Rt. Reverend Dr. Peter Forster, Anglican Bishop of Chester, England was investigated under hate crimes legislation and reprimanded by the local Chief Constable for observing that some people can overcome homosexual inclinations and "reorientate" themselves. (The Telegraph, 10/11/03)

- In January of 2004 a Swedish Pentecostal Pastor Ake Green was prosecuted for "hate speech against homosexuals" for a sermon he preached last summer citing Biblical references to homosexuality. (Kyrkans Tidning, 01/11/04)

- Belgian Cardianal Gustaaf Joos faced (not sure if it's done) a lawsuit under that country's discrimination laws for his remarks about the nature of homosexuality and the Church's teaching published in a Belgium magazine. (CWNews.com, 01/26/04)

- Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela of Madrid also faced a suit in Spain for preaching against homosexuality in a homily he gave in the Madrid Cathederal on the feast of the Holy Family. (Washington Post, 01/03/04)

- In Ireland, clergy and bishops were warned that the distribution of the Vatican's publication on public recognition of same-sex relationships could face prosecution under Irish incitement to hatred legislation. (The Irish Times, 07/02/03)

And there's also a case in Canada recently too. Ah well, I guess enshrining a right to sue people for believing and preaching the Bible is the new "political correctness." What next? Burning Bibles and Christians? Maybe extending that to Muslims too. After all the Koran proscribes homosexuality as well.

[EricJ]

The point is that although YOU may believe that what you are is what you always were, that has always been a point of contention. Your feelings don't dictate how the laws are read. Besides, no one is telling you you cant be together, why don't we all embrace our differences in life and ideology ? Being the same is boring why not make civil unions your marriages?

[j2tharome]

I'm not African-American, but how can you compare what Homosexuals are going through to what African-Americans went through (and to a certain extent, still going through).

-Homosexuals were never forced to come to an unknown land

-Homosexuals were never forced to do slave labor

-Homosexuals never experienced going to seperate bathrooms or other facilities

-Homosexuals were never waterhosed

-Homosexuals were never denied to vote

So spare me the, "how can African-Americans not understand what we're going through?" crap. I doubt MLK, Malcolm X and any other civil rights leader would've approved of this.

[amy]

I am ashamed to call myself a Californian. All I can say is that that I know that this will one day be reversed. Just like all the laws against african americans and women were reversed and they were all given their rights, the same will happen with these laws. Gay people are just the new target of hate in this country. African Americans had their civil rights struggle and so will the gay community, I just hope it doesn't take as long for the country to come to its senses and stop being ignorant bigots.

[Lorac]

I can't believe that people or so involved in forbiding same sex marriage but yet they don't want to know if their teenage daughters are getting abortions??!!!
Talk about the religious people being ignorant!!
Who's judging now?? All of your are going to hell for judging others!
Throw the first rock he has NOT sinned!

[John]

To Jax from Canada,

I love the human rights angle. You talk as if some historic right has been taken away from people. Have gays lost free speech? Have they lost the ability to find and keep a job? Have they lost the ability to live together and love together as they chose? NO, NO, NO. All they lost is what was illegitmately given to them by 4 pompous judges who decided that they know more than the people. Fortunately, America decides, not the courts (at least for now). Marriage is and always has been a union between a man and a woman. Prop 8 is not taking anything away, it is simply attempting to assert what is. Maybe that will change in the future, but if it does, it should come from WE THE PEOPLE! Not some arrogant judge.

[douglas]

Supporters of Prop 8 will say that it is to protect marriage. If this is so, those who voted for Prop 8 have to ask themselves if they would also support a proposition to amend our constitution so that marriages can no longer be dissolved. If not, then they voted out of discrimination and not to protect marriage.

[SLS]

As to the comments by LJS and others who believe that somehow Gays are somehow in the same boat as blacks and others who were Wear there minority status on their skin and therefore blacks should be sympathetic to their case, I must take inception! It is NOT the same! Try as you might you can not look at a gay person and say with all certainty that person is gay, But you CAN look at a black person and KNOW they are Black! We did not choose the color of our skin or our ethnicity. Frankly I find the assumed similarity very insulting.
Stop complaining about the debased choices you have made for yourself, just because they are your choices doesn't mean the rest of the world has to agree with you. We just dont want your choices influencing our children.

[kristin]

Canadians may think Canada is the best country in the world, but remember that at least in the U.S., freedom of speech is guaranteed. Many views are censored by Canadian Human Right Commissions just because they offend someone, and I'm talking about both left and right wing views. If an editorial cartoon offends someone, it violates their human rights. If you publish an opinion that offends any religious grouip, it violates their human rights. You cannot have human rights if you do not have freedom of speech.

I am personally more shocked by how the Canadian government is willing to silence dissent merely because it offends someone. If everyone claims to be offended, then soon, no one will be able to voice their opinions.

[EricJ]

The point is that although YOU may believe that what you are is what you always were, that has always been a point of contention. Your feelings don't dictate how the laws are read. Besides, no one is telling you you cant be together, why don't we all embrace our differences in life and ideology ? Being the same is boring why not make civil unions your marriages?

[Amy]

Miriam: Heterosexuals have been screwing up marriage for hundreds of years. We have an incredibly high divorce rate in our religious "one man one woman" state. It disgusts me that a gay couple who have been together and have been completely committed to one another for 30 years cannot get married, but a man and woman can marry, divorce, re-marry, divorce, re-marry...

To everyone else: I believe part of the problem is that ethnic minorities don't consider homosexuals to be the same kind of "minority". There is still a large portion of the population that believe being gay is a choice, and until we convince them otherwise, this will always be an issue. Also, I feel that there were a lot of people on the fence about the issue and chose simply not to vote on Prop 8. Unfortunately, not voting hurt the no votes.

Bigotry is not dead in America. I think Californians got their hopes up when the nation elected its first-ever African American president - only to be brought back down to ugly reality by California, of all places.

[Danielle]

As a Black woman, and daughter of the Civil Rights movement, I am completely appalled by this decision. I can not believe that those who have been under scrutiny for hundreds of years would support a measure that subjects others under that same divisive hand of discrimination. Not all Blacks feel this way and not all Latinos. I for one appreciate the Gay Rigths Movement and understand that it goes hand in hand with all Civil Rights movements of our history and our future. I can NOT believe that this measure passed, I am completely shocked and saddened and I know a lot of other Blacks and Latinos who agree with me. So, for all opponents of Prop 8, please know that this statistic surely does not represent us all.

[Mike T.]

You guys are so politically correct, you don't even notice that this makes no sense:

"More than half of Latino voters supported Proposition 8, while whites were split. "

[TJ]

As African Americans we should always support the civil rights for everyone unconditionally.