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

[Justified]

Four men are standing on a street. All are wearing black sneakers, blue jeans, and t-shirts. Two of them are of African descent (and are not bi-racial) and two of them are homosexual.

With no other information available, pick out the two homosexuals.

You can't do it with any degree of accuracy.

It is a tremendous fallacy to compare being gay to being black. There's no hiding (barring extenuating circumstances) being black. In general, a glance at an individual will tell you "they're black" or not. The same can not be said of being gay.

[Jax]

As a last note (Andrew and Danielle, I appoint you Honourary Canadians!! Hugzz) I invite all gays and lesbians to come to Canada to get married. We have enjoyed all the dollars you bring to our country as we help celebrate your love for each other. The sky has for certain not fallen here and neighbours value you on the strength of your goodness, not who shares your loveseat. I'm not sure about the prosecuting pastors thing, I got lost with that one, sorry Drew. And John, marriage is NOT just between a man and a woman. At least not here, in a democratic society that values human decency and brotherly love and good will unto others. And thank God for that!

Cheers to all who did the right thing and made their voices heard against discrimination. And shame on those who hide behind so-called Moral values,,,since when is LOVE immoral??? Wow.

[oakland girl]

One step forward, one step back - like Barack said it's time to step forward and engage - so take credit and responsibility for what you have wrought. Who would have thought Black people would vote for adding discrimination language to the State Constitution. What a shame.

If the enemy of my enemy is my friend, then black people just got into bed with the Mormons, the KKK, skinheads, ultra-right wingers and all kinds of new friends. double shame.

Enjoy your Prop 8 victory, it will be your undoing.

[Eddie]

As a friend remarked, I think it's amazing that we took away rights from humans and gave more to animals with our propostions.

[Disappointed]

LGBT groups have long given support to racial equality and other civil rights issues. It is incredibly disappointing, but not surprising to see it is not a two-way street. It has been a general theme in the AA community for many years and doesn't seem to be changing much due to very fundamental religious views. Now a fork in the road for LGBT activists: continue to support AA causes and try to change opinions or stop assisting and supporting.

[Jim in Venice]

You know it pretty simple. those who voted against Gay marriage are usually the ones who question their own sexuality. Being a gay male, you see str8 guys go through this time and time again. Do you realize how many men (religious or not) go to West Hollywood or look online for GAY sex AND, follow through with it and then go back to wifey, but then will be the first one to scream FAG around their buddies. NOW that I have your attention, The sad part about it is....this proposition isn't even about sex, it's about LOVE. But to most str8 people because of the lack of knowledge and or understanding, when someone says gay, they think sex. Get some education will ya!

[SFesq]

Irene, Killer and others... This is *not* a moral issue because one is born gay, just like you are born black, or white, or whatever. It's genetic (although not hereditary), and can't be changed, and it's not something you have a choice about. That's what it comes down to - not behavior, not belief, not how you are raised - but how you are born. Now tell me - how is that any different than race? You might have a belief because of a literal translation of the Bible, but most people who are good Christians don't have the hostility toward gay people the way the African American community does. Someone please explain this special hostility.

[blah blah]

Gay marriage destabilizes society - it's as simple as that. God made man and woman and gave them the instruction and means to procreate and populate the earth. Marriage between a man and a woman has the been the basis for strong families since the beginning of time and should remain that way. If everyone were gay who would produce the children? There would be no more families.

I am also not comfortable with gay marriage because ultimately our children would have to learn that marriage between two people of the same sex is possible - ultimately confusing children and possibly questioning their own sexualities. Children are very impressionable and must learn that traditional marriage is meant to be between a MAN and WOMAN. At least they would have the traditional meaning of marriage straight in their heads before they become mature and decide for themselves whom to choose for a partner, be it gay or straight. Bottom line - the passage of this proposition puts stability in our society and protects our families and children!

[J]

Wait.....This is Black people's fault???? You guys are ignorant, if you think the majority of votes supporting this measure were black. You should've campaigned smarter, and educated people, and you would've succeeded. Me and my wife are Christians, but I had to actually have a conversation with her, before we both decided to vote against it. Otherwise we would've voted without thinking through it thoroughly, due to being raised in pentecostal churches. It's not even a civil rights issue to most minorities it's strictly religious. You can't convince people to go against their religion. What you need to do is convince them that their religion is personal to them, in the same way that gay marriage is to the gay/lesbian community. Then it becomes a more winnable argument. I can't believe people want to blame African Americans for being set back. African americans would've never put the measure on the ballot in the first place. Smarten up!!!!

[Jon R.]

Saying that gay marriage is simply wrong is not an argument. If you have no reason, you have no position. Apart from being an ignorant bigot.

[chauncy]

"Um, blacks have a horrendous track record with teen moms, absent dads, abuse- and addiction-riddled marriages and illegitimate children. Gay marriage is no where near being a threat to black kids -- "when you point your finger, three more point back at you"!

Posted by: lola | November 05, 2008 at 05:00 PM"
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Now there's the hypocritical liberal for you. You thought that voting for Obama would ease your white guilt, but it goes to show the bigotry between the "superior" white liberal and the downtrodden african-american is still alive and well in suburban America.

[Camille]

Aside from the group gathered at the corner of Robertson and Sta Monica I did not see the campaigning or promotion that served our president elect so well. I am a human being who happens to be lesbian and black and growing up I can remember experiencing the separatist acts of racism in the gay community as well as the straight. This I feel more than anything has weakened the gay community in its efforts against prop 8 and needs to be addressed if we are to tackle bigger issues of seeking acceptance on a constitutional level. Unify across color lines first and then lets face the bigger issue. Have we not learned anything from our past mistakes? Come on people, WAKE UP!!!!!!

[joebama]

Obama is against gay marriage. Better luck in 2012.

[Weenie]

You know, I have a gay cousin who happens to be black as well. He voted YES on 8 and his partner voted NO. My cousin feels that the Domestic Partner Act provides all of the coverage they need. He does NOT believe in same -sex marriage. It is a matter of belief and conviction. That is what the voting process is all about. How dare you slam someone for voting for what they feel is right...deep in their hearts. This is what democracy is all about. Many of the propositions that passed were directly opposed to what I felt was right. However, many of my peers, neighbors, co-workers felt differently. I am not upset with them. We all had equal chances to vote our beliefs. The will of the people was raped by the Supreme Court. If you want to be angry with someone...be angry with them.

[DFS]

I was disappointed to see Prop 8 pass to, and as a black gay man particularly to see how the black vote was so heavily in favor. I think a possibility that hasn't been examined is that a lot of blacks may have only voted for president and not on prop 8, except for the blacks who felt more strongly in support of prop 8. The field polls of blacks showed 49% for and 43% against. That is way out of what from the

But I see also that it didnt take long for the racism that is always just below the surface in the white gay community to now have an excuse to find expression.

[A. Lagos]

Let me state the following before I state my opinion:
1) I am Latino (multiple countries, but not Mexican)
2) I am Catholic, pray the rosary often and attend mass at least once a month usually, and am staunchly anti-abortion (but against criminalizing it in any way)
3) I am a veteran
4) I am an engineer
which if it needs to be spelled out implies
5) I am a Republican

Given this, so there is no mistake about where I am demographically. Let me state the following:

Most Latinos (including over 80% of my relatives) are politically liberal, and I certainly am more liberal than most of my friends in Orange County (but more conservative than my family by a half-mile for sure). So yes, while I may be for social welfare programs, for some version of socialized medicine (at least catastrophic care for all, and a basic plan for children and the elderly) and for grants and loans so that smart kids (regardless of background) can attend college (in exchange for some degree of public service), that does not nor should not imply that we support every pet cause of the left. My church tells me that social justice is an unabashed good, so I fight injustice where I see it. Not just because my church and faith tell me that is what I must do, but also because of professional obligation, for I served in a unit where the motto was De Oppresso Liber (Freedom for the Oppressed), and trust me when I say, I take that message to the center of my being. The church also tells me that homosexuality is a sin, and that marriage is for one man and one woman so that they can procreate. My relatives believe this just as fervently as I do, and from blacks I served with and consider closer than my own family, they believe just as I do, and for the same reasons. Because it gets compared to integration of the armed forces, let me tell you this, skin color is utterly benign and in no way impacts behavior or discipline in a military unit. Sexual conduct and preference are at the very center of behavior. Or to be more general about it, people's sex lives directly and indirectly impact all sorts of conduct. Whilst I am not saying that homosexuality (either the preference or the act) needs to be made illegal (personally if that is your thing, I have no desire to try to police your sex life nor do I want the state doing it on my behalf), but given the reasons that marriage is entered into by a couple: legal, social, and economic stability; the formation of a family unit; procreation and the education and nurturing of children; legitimizing sexual relations; given that homosexual couples cannot breed without artificial assistance, nor can form a family as has been biologically or traditionally understood since the beginning of time, why should a preferred status be accorded them?

[Deborah Nowland]

Because I voted to preserve the traditional definition of marriage I am a bigot? How can anyone know what I am and what I think? I am the furthest from being a bigot that anyone could know. But I also will fight to the death for the rights of my family and my religious freedoms.

I applaud the AA, Hispanic, married, and religious people who stood up for their moral beliefs.

[Paul]

Its time to get over it!!! the people have spoken... The homosexual can create their own institution but you cannot redefine an ancient institution that is between one man and one woman. This is not a civil rights issue the homosexual community maintains the same rights as a married couple (called a 'civil union'). But there is a radical homosexual agenda that aims to strip the rights of the religious! Tolerance goes both ways.. please begin your own institution do not redefine ours!!!

[Dwight]

We have lost our hold on right and wrong. There is no constitutional right to perversion. Gay's have the same rights as the rest of us, they can marry the opposite sex of their choice. Why do we need special rights? Two men cannot be wed in Holy Matrimony. They do not have the plumbing to create a family of their own. This yes on 8 requires no justification. For those who have an unnatural lust, domestic partners have the same rights as married people. But let's not ever make an immoral act the equivalent of real love.

This is not discrimination. This is a behavioral issue.

[suspect82]

I voted NO on Prop8 and for John McCain. I guess not all Republicans hate. : )

[disappointed californian]

As it was said on the news today... Californians just gave more rights to animals. The sad thing about the whole situation is that those ads were misleading. This ballot measure had NOTHING to do with education, and teaching our children about gay marriage. And then I saw the whole one page ad that was in the Times on Sunday... how are gay couples wanting the right to be married affect religious freedom? The whole point of religious freedom is that individuals have the right to chose THEIR own religions. Gay couples should have every right to marry. People need to get over themselves and quit discriminating.

[AVRIL]

FIRST AND FOREMOST, WHAT AFRICAN-AMERICANS WENT THROUGH DURING SLAVERY IS IN NO WAY, SHAPE OR FORM TO BE COMPARED TO A CHOSEN LIFESTYLE OF INDIVIDUALS. STOP COMPARING YOURSELVES TO THEM AND OTHER "RACIAL" GROUPS. THEY HAVE SUFFERED THROUGH HORRIFIC INDIGNITIES, AND TO COMPARE YOUR SELF TO THEM IN THIS CASE IS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO THEM.

I CANNOT SPEAK FOR ALL AFRICAN-AMERICANS, BUT A FEW GOOD FRIENDS OF MINE (WHOM ARE CHRISTIANS) SAY THEY BELIEVE IN WHAT THE BIBLE SPEAKS ON THIS ISSUE, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HATRED OR BIGOTRY. IN ESSENCE YOUR UPSET WITH THEM FOR HAVING A BELIEF SYSTEM THAT DOES NOT AGREE WITH YOURS. EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO BELIEF AND "VOTE" AS THEY WILL. THAT'S LIKE BEING MADE AT A JEWISH PERSON BECAUSE THEY FOLLOW SOME ASPECT OF THE TORAN THAT YOU MAY HAVE FAULT AGAINST.

AND ON ANOTHER NOTE, WHERE DO WE END THIS "ANYTHING GOES" ATTITUDE. WE HAVE LAWS AND THE CONSTITUTION FOR A REASON, THIS BEING ONE OF THEM, TO REMIND US OF WHAT HAS BEEN GOVERNED, SWORN IN AND ORDAINED AS LAWFUL IN OUR LAND.

WHAT IF I WANTED TO MARRY ONE OF MY DOGS, OR ONE OF MY HORSES? COULD I DO SO JUST BECAUSE I'M AN AMERICAN AND "I HAVE RIGHTS!!!!" OF COURSE NOT. IT SOUNDS INSANE, BUT I GUARANTEE YOU THAT IF GAY MARRIAGE WOULD BE ALLOWED, THE LEGALIZATION OF BEASTEALOGY WOULD HAVE BEEN NEXT.

[Kirk Thomas]

Enough with this "will of the people" rhetoric. Since when are basic rights in our society allowed to be given or taken away by the tyranny of the majority? The California Supreme Court (which is very conservative, by-the-way) acted as they must to protect the rights of a minority against the fear and prejudices of the majority. Now, it seems, anyone's rights are up for grabs. How would you like it if a vote were passed that said that only Mormons could marry? You'd say, well the courts would strike it down as unconstitutional. Wait, that's just what the California Supreme Court did, and yet they are called "activist." It appears that this label only applies to a court that makes a decision that some people don't like. Watch out, everyone. There will be even further attempts to take away basic civil rights!

[Hurt and Depressed]

It is just very very sad that African Americans ignored their own history and wrote discrimination into the state constitution. It wasn't too long ago that churches rose up to try and defeat integration and inter-racial marriage. The sum of all this is that African Americans have proved themselves as ignorant as Evangelical Christians. I'm sorry I voted for the gang initiatives and the school initiatives and anything else that will take my tax dollars to help their community, as it obviously does not deserve any more state welfare. Thank you for ruining what should have been a joyous day for all. Pray on that next Sunday.

[invisible]

I feel completely invisible.

The great majority of straight people I encounter would never think that I could be gay.
When I do come out to a relative, or a coworker, I always get the " I would never have guessed it ! " response.

I hear and experience homophobic hatred and ignorance - every day of my life.
From people who have no clue that I'm in the group they hate.
Sometimes they get an earful; sometimes I ignore it and let it go.

Pain is pain; oppression is oppression.

I'm so happy and hopeful that today Obama is our leader.

I'm so sad and angry that today I am told - for the trillionth time - that I do not matter.