Madonna slams Proposition 8 passage

At Dodger Stadium, Madonna took time out from her concert to praise the election of Barack Obama and also express her disappointment that Prop. 8, which bans same-sex marriage, was approved by California voter. So says our spy, The Times' Molly Hennessy-Fiske. Listen to Madonna's take here. More from Popsquire:

During a celebratory moment for President-elect Barack Obama, M also commented on Calfornia’s Prop 8.  She expressed disappointment that “we didn’t win” and offered hope to the audience when she said, “If we can have an African American president, we can have gay marriage!”

Of course, some people were interviewed on TV last night complaining that the big anti-Proposition 8 march in Westwood made them late to see Madonna. The rally generated national press coverage but also clogged traffic for hours. The Times' Jessica Garrison looks at how the No-on-8 forces became obsessed with Mormons:

During the campaign, a website established by Proposition 8 opponents used campaign finance data and other public records to track Mormon political contributions to the Yes-on-8 campaign. Opponents estimated that members of the church had given more than $20 million, but the amount is difficult to confirm since the state does not track the religious affiliation of donors.

-- Shelby Grad

Photo: Britney Spears and Madonna lock lips at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. Credit: WireImage

Comments

[Nai]

okay I'm gay and I'd like to ask, when do we get to vote on YOUR marriages?

[Saddened]

Posted by: straightgaylover "I fail to see what one's religious persuasion has to do with how we feel about how a FAMILY is defined. People of all faiths agree that a marriage should be defined as a MAN and WOMAN. Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Christians."

Ummmmm......no. Before you start specifying which religious groups define what, you may want to get your facts straight. The Reform Jewish faith actually supports same-sex partnerships. Actually the Progressive Christianity faith does as well. Granted the more conservative wings of those before-mentioned faiths do not support same-sex partnerships. But that still makes making encompassing statements as to which religion are anti-same-sex partnerships false. So whether or not you like or dislike the concept of same-sex partnerships, be careful as to what you use as evidentiary statements.

[Karla]

Thank you Madonna for supporting equal rights.

We all experience some form of discrimination in our lives. It starts in school and the whole business of being cool, what schools you go to, what part of town you live in, who you sleep with, if you are gay or straight or practice polygamy, who you want to marry, if you are married or not, if you a single mom or a stay at home dad, if you believe in god or not, if you don't go to church, if you are a democrat or a republican, if you are a communist or a religious fanatic, if you look good or you are ugly, if you are a woman or a foreigner that does not speak very good english, if you look like a terrorist, if you are overweight or anorexic, if you eat meat or are a vegetarian, if you are rich or poor, if you are from a big city or a rural area... I can go on for ever. Discrimination is everywhere in our lives.

The principal of equality for all is what makes this country a better place for you an I. It is the foundation of peace and happiness. When we talk about gay marriage, we are talking about equal rights. It is that simple. Religion cannot dictate law. Remember! That is why we have the separation of church and state.

Stop creating all these double standards! If we were to live by the principal of equality and practice tolerance, I bet we could resolve some of the most thorny issues of our time. Proposition 8 imposes one lifestyle, one belief about mariage. That is simply wrong! This country is the home of diversity and opposites. Let's keep it that way. Let's respect each others choices already!

[For Prop 8]

Madonna who? Who cares about her.

To Concerned: Tell me, who is full of hatred? Not the coalition of Churches. Simply because a group disagrees with the marriage of homosexuals, do not equate that with hatred? I won't let my child watch HBO specials either. It's not that I hate my child, I just don't agree with the programming.

Just read the vile things the anti-prop 8 activists say and do. They are angry. Not the churches. I agree with you on one point. Peace. Relax. Enjoy who you're with. I don't care; just don't ask me to mainstream it.

[Lets move on]

Let's move on folks. Marriage is between a man and a women. Okay we get it. We have our civil rights the same as everyone else. Civil Unions are okay and will get us where we need to go.

[kassie]

MCWAY says:

"Don't lecture those who voted for Prop. 8 about hatred, as we've seen PLENTY of that from the "No on Prop. 8" side. Vandalism, stealing property, assault, profane insults, destruction of private property (and this occured BEFORE Prop. 8 passed) are just a few examples of what the poster boys for "tolerance" have been doing to get their way and what they've continued to do, since Prop. 8 got the nod.

Did you see any of that happening from traditional marriage supporters, six months ago, when the California court overturned Prop. 22? NO!! Plus, if this issue is that important to your side, why didn't YOU and others of your ilk start a constitutional amendment of your own?"

There was plenty of that from the Yes on 8 proponents. The kind of hate that spewed from Yes on 8 proponents was pretty amazing. When people are targeted with words like "fag" "homo" and propaganga that they are trying to recruit children, that's hate, and teach gay marriage in school, when they don't teach any marriage (since every culture has different concepts of marriage, in CA we have *diversity*) in school at all. People calling you out on your hate speak? I'm not sure you can call someone a intolerant for calling someone else out for trying to take rights away from a minority group that was upheld because it was UNCONSTITUTIONAL. No one who claims to be an American should tolerate intolerance, ever. While I personally don't think that individuals on either side that engaged in yard sign stealing or the like, represent either group as the whole, Protect Marriage's lies and decit in their ads definitely reflect on them. How about their attempt to exort money from businesses that donated to No on 8. How about their Obama flyers and robocalls to African Americans and misleading them to think that Obama was a proponent of 8 (which he wasn't... he said he would vote no beause it is discrinimatory and divisive). How about Protect Marriage's claim that they're not tying to hurt gays when their previous web site clearly says that their goal was to invalidate all civil unions so marriage rights could not be conferred to same-sex couples at all. How about them calling SUpremem Court Justices "activist judges," banking on the fact that the majority of people don't know how our government works. (Or know that our Supreme Court is made of 6 out 7 Republican Appointees.) How about them using the images of children without permission from their parents and their refusal to take those ads off the air when those outraged parents ask them to. (As a parent, how would that make you feel? As a straight married mother of 2, I was outraged and so were *many* others.)

Equality California ran no such campaign. Most of our legislators, legal scholars around the state, companies like Google, Apple, PG&E, AT&T, hundred of other companies, hundreds of faith organizations, people of all faiths, and the list goes on all came out to support No on 8, and attempted to take the high road of not putting out lies and inciting fear, instead promoting facts and what this measure really means (discriminatory, very bad for business).

There is a reason why the more educated you were the more like you were to vote NO on 8 (feel free to check the exit polls). And when people say "you gays" or "gay agenda," do you really think that 48% (almost half) of the voters are gay? Never in our country has our government ever upheld a civil right and then rescinded it. I don't think you people know or have any clue what type of legal precedent this set for ALL OF US. Our "ilk" didn't try to start a constitutional amendment because our constitution was perfect the way it was, it protected ALL OF US, that's why.

[Drew]

The California Supreme Court will rule -- and rule quickly -- that Proposition 8 is invalid.

Or do you really think the Court is going to overrule its own decision made just 6 months ago?

[A Reasonable One]

I am vehemently opposed to the kind of institutionalized bigotry that Proposition 8 stands for.

That being said, I think Madonna is the most obnoxious, overrated, self-serving pieces of celebrity trash the music industry has ever forced down the collective gullet of the lower middle class.

[kassie]

Anthony Andrews said:

"Uh, sorry to burst your bubble, John...but Jesus Christ never, EVER said a word about homosexuals or homosexuality. But, if you dust off your New Testament, you might learn that He had a WHOLE lot to say about judging and condemning people--not to mention a little something about "casting stones." And let's just toss the Old Testament as an example of what Christians should believe as law, because The Lord made it very clear that those old laws no longer applied (sorry you misguided lovers of Leviticus). So don't hide behind Christian beliefs if 1) you don't know what the New Testament teaches and 2) if you use a faux-religious argument to hide behind the most un-Christian thing I can think of: hate. All, please, let's not forget that a number of churches and religious leaders were against Prop. 8. Myself included."

Thank you for making that point! I also wanted to add that people in my family, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, all voted no for the same reason. I also have a coworker from India who is Hindu, and she said that if she could she would have voted no because her religion teaches her not to judge.

When the Prop 8 supporters keep starting their sentences with "all religions..." or "every civilization..." I just feel annoyed and sad at their audacity to announce that they represent all of us.

[kassie]

frank says:

"the reason why im against gay marriage is because i lived with my girlfriend for 8 years and we were not considered a couple, partners, or even a common law couple by most health insurance companies, but the gays can call themselves partners and get health insurance all day long. gays want equal rights?? dont think so man, if i dont get treated fair, then why should they. "

I'm sorry, but your HR person failed you. You and your girlfriend just needed to prove that you lived together for 1 year, and then you could have added her to your health insurance. At least I know this has been in effect for the last 7 years, maybe longer. I worked with an HR department, so I knew this and had added my then fiance to my health coverage before we got married... sorry you and your gf didn't get your benefits. I'm guessing they allowed this since we straight people always have to be treated as well as the gays. However, we do have one up on them, they don't get marriage and the 1000+ benefits that come with it that domestic partnership doesn't. I happen to know some of them too because I worked with an HR department, but I'll allow all you guys to believe the Yes on 8 propaganda because you obvious want to. If not, you'd be doing your own independent research to find out real facts before making a decision that affects the rights of your fellow Americans.

[kassie]

ProTraditionalFamily ignorantly says:

"I fail to see what one's religious persuasion has to do with how we feel about how a FAMILY is defined. People of all faiths agree that a marriage should be defined as a MAN and WOMAN. Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Christians."

Ummm... this pretty much exemplifies the views of Prop 8 supporters, who fail to see that people of all faiths voted NO. They also fail to see that many people, while they don't personally support same-sex marriage, voted NO. The worst part is they don't really know why people don't choose to vote their personal and religious beliefs into government because they think that's what everyone should be doing. Fortunately, a lot of people remembered what it means to be an American and that we have rights here we should uphold for everyone and that these rights are the same ones that allow you to *practice* (not force upon others, okay? PRACTICE) your beliefs. Let's not mistake this folks: freedom of religion does not mean that the Catholic Church should try to outlaw divorce (for everyone) because they don't condone it or want to accept it exists. It means that the Catholic Church does not have to accept divorce in their private realm or marry divorced people because they are protected by the First Amendment. Now let's substitute "divorce" for "same-sex marriage" shall we? It's pretty simple.

[Josh]

OMG all of you are poor excuses for human beings! What does Madonna's divorse have to do with PROP 8? Madonna's husband was unfaithful -she should leave him. MADONNA has JUST as much a RIGHt to voice her views on PROP 8 as the rest of you, YOUR no better than her in any way.! What kills you haters is MADONNA is something YOU all will never be...IMPORTANT. If she was jut a so called stupid singer NONE of you would waste time to attack her, so clearly SHE is important. Madonna has been supporting minorities and the gay community for years and that just kills all you haters. SHE has far more a right than ANY one of you to voice her views on this matter.

And for the that idiot JOHN who called hr a corpse on stage your not only STUPID but BLIND, Madonna is one of the hottest looking women envy does not suit any of you well.

[Wendy]

Madonna's comments only validate Prop 8. Her life is so screwy, she's a poster child of how not to raise a family.

[Jerr]

I find it interesting that two pro proposition 8 supporters wrote similar comments here

describing Madonna's appearance in a rude, hateful and ageist manner ;however, neither party

knew how to spell the word "corpse" (which they seemed to find so funny) Not only was the

comment a lame attempt to be humorous, but it says a lot about a the lack of character (as well as the intelligence) of

the people who supported this declaration of church sanctioned discrimination. I believe if

the Mormon "church" can afford to spend $20,000,000 to promote discrimination, then they can

well afford to pay taxes just like any other group. Obviously organized religion does not

believe in the separation of church and state, and I have had enough of them interfering

with the personal lives of people who do pay taxes that protect their freedom to practice

their individual religious beliefs.

[MCWAY]

Anthony Andrews:

If you are a religious leader, then you would know that when Jesus mentioned marriage, he mentioned it in one term and one term only: A union between a man and a woman. "For this reason shall a man leave his father and mother and cleave unto his WIFE and the two shall become one flesh."

That's a man and a woman, NOT two men and NOT two women.Voting for Prop. 8 wasn't judging or condeming people. It was clearly defining the institution of marriage in no uncertain terms. Christians have absolutely NO OBLIGATION to accept or condone gay "marriage". Nor, do they have to sit idly by and let such be codified into law, especially when their vote can prevent it. You haven't burst John's bubble, or that of anyone else. Even if Jesus didn't mention homosexuality, spefically, the simple assumption is that (unless He said something to the contrary) that it was still wrong, just as it had been beforehand in the Law, which He did mention that He came to uphold and fulfill.

Don't lecture those who voted for Prop. 8 about hatred, as we've seen PLENTY of that from the "No on Prop. 8" side. Vandalism, stealing property, assault, profane insults, destruction of private property (and this occured BEFORE Prop. 8 passed) are just a few examples of what the poster boys for "tolerance" have been doing to get their way and what they've continued to do, since Prop. 8 got the nod.

Did you see any of that happening from traditional marriage supporters, six months ago, when the California court overturned Prop. 22? NO!! Plus, if this issue is that important to your side, why didn't YOU and others of your ilk start a constitutional amendment of your own?

[Gabriel Aguilera]

So much hate.

It's very ammusing to find all you christians spouting out hate. It's cute, and typical. Im so glad you will be teaching this to your kids, instead of toloranace, acceptance and love. Hide and shield your children behind your bible all you want, we'll get them eventually. haha.

I also can't remember learning anything in school about marriage? can anyone? IF they did teach it, im sure it was when i was very young and impressionable, which means them teaching me about Straight marriage should have influenced me to be straight, right?

Botton line: The law will now BAN a group of tax paying American Citizens from participating in a specific action. Unconstitutional.

And how could a simle majority win change the constitution? Shouldnt the majority of the State of California agree on changes? In this case...the simply (minded) mojority obviously will beat out one of the smallest minorities in the state....GAYS and Lesbians.

Were gonna paint this state pink, and cover your kids in glitter.

And dont mess with Madonna....because now youre asking for a civil war.

NO ON HATE

[Miguel]

The haterosexual dictatorship at it again on this board. Marriage is a CIVIL RIGHT. Got that!

Prisoners, the elderly, infertile people can get married. There is no child requirement for marriage so stop using children to hide behind your bigotry.

Don't say you are for equal rights. That is bull. Haterosexuals everytime any gay rights issue comes up for a vote it is voted against. The fact is haterosexuals think they are better than gay people, deserve more rights than gay people and deserve an uneven playing field that always benefits them.

[Austin L.]

She praises the election of Barack Obama, whose campaign was against gay marriage, and then slams proposition 8, which was against gay marriage.

Just a reminder - both campaigns were against gay marriage. Civil unions yes, gay marriage no.

[Those who opposed prop 8 are simply wrong and in denial of their own sick ways]

You lost...stay out of the street or there may be an accident! Should us republicans be marching the streets protesting Obamas victory? Filing lawsuits? I have no time for you people. I have constructive things to do, say raise my kids in a decent world and put food in the table and save for their educations, so stay the hell out of my way! I wonder how much money you sexual deviant sinners raised for this? You think that money might have been better served for a decent cause like feeding the hungry? You DISGUST me..and all decent people who hold marriage as a sacred union. It is not some liberal event that makes America even a more hated country than it already is.... people like you bring hate to America as other countries see out decadence and immorality and want to bring us down. You at least as much at fault as George W Bush and Cheneys arrogance .

[Single guy]

It's amazing how complicated the arguments on Prop 8 have become. Have the two sides considered the fact that maybe people are simply voting with their wallets by not expanding benefits to another group of people? Do you guys really think that the majority of voters are pondering deep moral issues or what Madonna thinks as they stand in front of the voting machine? I would bet that most voters in CA don't care about whether gays can or cannot get married, they simply don't want to pay for the additional benefits for another group. Hey I'm single and I would strip the financial benefits for straight married couples if I could. This may seem selfish but why should I have to subsidize anyone else' benefits, straight or gay? Plus, if we started redefining marriage to include gays, what's next? polygamists? a union between a human and an animal or maybe just any two lifeforms? Unfortunately a definition or a law is there to establish a limit, so it doesn't matter where the line is drawn, someone is going to get excluded. In this case, the majority has decided to keep the line where it has always been. Looks like even CA citizens have realized that anarchy doesn't work.

[Will]

Plain and simple: if two partners are not genetically built to procreate, then there is no reason for matrimony. Two dudes can't make a baby. Two girls can't make a baby.
Matrimony is meant for the unification of a man and woman to begin a family. Of course, there are those that will argue; what if the woman can't produce eggs? what if the guy is impotent? Those are select cases, but their hardware is made to join and procreate.
Choosing to be gay is a selfish decision... it is a lifestyle and not a basic construction of a human being. Choosing to be gay is satisfying a lust, which is a sin. There's no reason to intertwine matrimony with a sin. Gays are already accepted into everyday life. They are already equal, and to compare their "struggles" to that of the black community is going too far. There's absolutely no comparison.
Matrimony is a religious union. I haven't come across any religion that condones same-sex matrimony. Most heterosexual couples already take matrimony for granted. Let's not make it a complete joke by allowing someone to marry someone just because they love them. If I love my dog, it won't be right for me to try and marry my dog. If I love my car, I'm not going to try and marry my car. If I love my best friend from years back, and he and I can't procreate, there's no need to pursue marriage. I may love him, but not to the point where I will try to do things with him that are not proper amongst two men. We can't make a baby, so there's no reason for me to stick anything of mine in him or vice versa.
Proposition 8 isn't intolerant. It's a reality check, and those that get checked never like it.

[Craig]

The Gay community is more interested in what they want than what is right.To select one eligion out and go on a hate trip against them and the state there world wide headquarters are in is wrong. To be consistant they need to go after the black and hispanic community also. They had a lot more vote on Prop eight than the Mormons. To parade out entertainers such as Madona and try to use her as your role model is very offensive to people of many faiths. Why not go to Rome and go after the Catholics who exercised their vote in favor of traditional marriage. Trying to force your desires on churches and others is offensive to many. Your cause is being hurt by such activity.

[Jerr]

I find it interesting that two pro proposition 8 supporters wrote similar comments here describing Madonna's appearance in a rude, hateful and ageist manner ;however, neither party knew how to spell the word "corpse" (which they seemed to find so funny) Not only was the comment a lame attempt to be humorous, but it says a lot about a the lack of character of the people who supported this declaration of church sanctioned discrimination. I believe if the Mormon "church" can afford to spend $20,000,000 to promote discrimination, then they can well afford to pay taxes just like any other group. Obviously organized religion does not believe in the separation of church and state, and I have had enough of them interfering with the personal lives of people who do pay taxes that protect their freedom to practice their individual religious beliefs.

[Jerr]

I find it interesting that two pro proposition 8 supporters wrote similar comments here describing Madonna's appearance in a rude, hateful and ageist manner ;however, neither party knew how to spell the word "corpse" (which they seemed to find so funny) Not only was the comment a lame attempt to be humorous, but it says a lot about a the lack of character of the people who supported this declaration of church sanctioned discrimination. I believe if the Mormon "church" can afford to spend $20,000,000 to promote discrimination, then they can well afford to pay taxes just like any other group. Obviously organized religion does not believe in the separation of church and state, and I have had enough of them interfering with the personal lives of people who do pay taxes that protect their freedom to practice their individual religious beliefs.

[Angelina]

Excuse me Frank, Are you gay?
Didn't think so. So how can be so sure that no one is born gay?
Do you know what it even feels like to be gay, or what a gay person goes through on a day to day basis?
Would anyone choose a lifestyle that is so misunderstood and hated?
I don't think so.
You say it's a choice. but the only choice gay people struggle with, is coming to terms with there sexuality and developing the courage to go against a culture filled with people like you, who are unwilling to understand an alternate lifestyle solely because tradition says its morally wrong.

Since we are children we are taught to not discriminate against anyone who is different based on age, sex, gender, race, or sexual orientation.
So i wonder why now is that ignored?

Thats fine if you think its wrong, I just hope you have done your research on the Bible and the science behind the theory of being born gay. That way, your opinion is much more respected, rather then an opinion based on one book with many flaws in the interpretation.

No one should have to uproot themselves from a place they call home, just to find the rights given to everyone else. That is actually why people migrate TO America, now away from it.

I don't believe being gay is a choice. Because Im sure we have all fallen in love, and everyone can argue that it is an unstoppable force.
What do you expect, for a homosexual not to act on their love for another person and instead be unhappily with someone of the opposite sex their whole lives? Or would you rather them to be alone forever?

[KansasGirl]

Hussein is for gay marriage. The only reason he came out against it, was to get the black and latino vote. You fine citizens will see soon. The Democrat party will soon put all of us under their thumb. And we better like it, or else.

[Loui]

Wow! I am totally shocked in some Americans attitudes. I am a born and bred South African and cannot believe that a supposedly first world country can be so conservative. I have always wanted to travel to the US, but maybe not... I think you can learn something from countries like ours where life and living is equal to all and marriage is not about being Christian or Muslim or Tribal, but about love and commitment. Follow the examples of other countries like Canada, Spain, South Africa, etc. Live and let live for a change and your country WILL be a better place! Everyone should have the choice to marry whoever they like, whenever they like. I have also learnt that those opposed to these kinds of changes are narrow minded and are usually the ones who live a shameful life of their own, ending up cheating on their wives/husbands and only selecting what they feel applicable to their own lives from the Bible if and when it suits them! I find that disgusting and he who judges will be judged! These people normally pretend to be saints, but back at the ranch their own skeletons are hidden in closets. Good for you Madonna! At least you have made something of your life and talents unlike some jealous common folk who cannot make anything of their own lives! And by the way, don’t hide behind the Bible when most of you have been married and divorced and cheated on your partners or slapped them around or have had sex before marriage and and and... God loves us all equal and if HE can, what give you the right to act almighty and judge others? I hope with the election of Obama the USA will be what its name says, “UNITED” and that Obama will set up a UNITED constitution that will protect ALL people equally no matter race or sexual orientation or ability and no matter the State you live in. This should not be an option, but a RIGHT for ALL to share. What is good for the one MUST be good for the other. Come on, BE FAIR!

[Fwetanson]

YOU ALL MAKE ME SICK!!! Look at the things you are saying and the way you are acting. You talk about gay's being the REAL haters and people who backed up NO on 8 being the REAL haters but what are you doing?? What right does anyone have to say who can and cant get married just because of the person they are in love with? It was not just one race or one religion that voted yes or no, it was all kinds of people. Sadly the yes on 8 campaign had a lot more money and were better at making up lies and using innocent children to spread their "UNFAIR AND WRONG" message out to people. I was one of the lucky people to stand up for EQUALITY for all and put my face out on the streets with all sorts of people to spread the message that we are all human beings and DESERVE the same rights no matter what race, sexual identity, creed, religion or lack of religion we may have!! Did you know that parents were requesting commercials from yes on 8 to be taken off of the TV because they did not give permission for their kids to participate? Did you know that there was never a plan to teach "gay marriage" in schools or force any church to marry them? All they wanted was the right to be equal HUMANS in America... wow what a horrible group of people huh??? I don't expect any of you to understand this or even admit it if you did, but just do me this favor and ask yourself how you would feel if that was you, your child, your grand child, your parent, your best friend or even your idol... Wouldn't you want to be as happy as everyone else or allow and hope others would allow your loved ones to be happy too? PEOPLE THEY ARE GOING TO BE GAY NO MATTER WHAT AND THEY AREN'T GOING ANYWHERE, SO WHY COULDN'T WE JUST LET THEM HAVE A PIECE OF PAPER THAT WE ALL GET THE JOY TO HAVE ONE DAY IF WE CHOOSE??? I pray that my daughters generation grows up to be smarter, more understanding, more tolerant and excepting of ALL those around them. Instead of living in this closed bubble you all seem to be living. Its like you believe if you don't acknowledge people for who they are and who they love, they will just go away. Guess what... THEY WONT!!!!!!

I believe in god, i believe in a god that LOVES US ALL NO MATTER WHAT, because he created us all to be equal and be who we are, look how we do and love who we love for a reason. If we were all the same the world would be a boring place... God doesn't hate anyone or discriminate against anyone, so why should you?

"I BELIEVE IN ONE FATHER, ONE HEAVENLY FATHER, AND THAT ONE IS GOD... AND ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE ME" in the end his opinion means the world and yours well... not so much :)

[Mark B]

I didn't even know that I as a heterosexual married man had anywhere close to 1,100 rights. Seems that once I got married, I lost all my rights. I don't know why homosexuals want to get married so fast in the first place.

The way I see it both sides are right and both sides are wrong. I fully supported the Yes On 8 campaign. I hung door flyers, i walked precincts. I stood on the corners next to a few androgenous No On 8 campaigners. We are arguing two completely different points. From the Yes perspective, it is religious. It is not hate, prejudice or bigotry against anyone. We believe that marriage is between man and woman as ordained of God. Those are our religious beliefs. We do not want our children force fed by anyone that they have to accept gay marriage, when we are trying to teach them our religious traditions.

The No On 8 campaign wants marriage and equality for all. Is there a way that homosexuals can "enjoy" marriage just like heterosexuals without imposing their views on everyone else? Is there a happy medium? I don't think so. We are arguing different points of two completely different arguments. Can there be compromise?

[Not a question of rights]

This is a tough one for me. I am a Libertarian. My belief system, politically, agrees with same-sex marriage. I believe that happiness is rare enough that we should foster it in any type of relationship. Regrettably, I have concerns about my right as a Christian parent to relate to my children my God's instructions on this matter. My main concern is that, if legalized, the protections that are rightfully the gay communities' will infringe on my rights to instruct my children in the ways of my religion. Evidenced in Massachusetts, parents loose rights to do so when same-sex marriage is legalized. Equal protection projects intolerance of my belief system. How do we bridge this dived? If my child were gay, I would accept it and love him or her and their partner. I would not constantly demean their decision. But, until that day, I reserve the right to bring my children up in the traditions of my religion. My religious convictions should not suddenly become a hate crime. Though the homosexual lifestyle is against my God's instruction, I have never subscribed to the idea that Christians are supposed to hate homosexuals. I certainly would not teach that intolerance to my children. I hope you see my conflict. Maybe someone could develop a compromise that would respect the rights of gay community without threatening my right to bring my children up in the traditions of my religion. I hope that compromise can be achieved. No group of people should be relegated to a exiled existence, neither gay nor Christian.

[frank]

i cant see what the problem is, if gays want to get married then move to Massachusetts. if im not mistaken they can marry there. look, these are the same people who voted for obama and even he didnt back the gays. former mayor wiille brown confirmed that yesterday on cbs talk radio himself, now i couldnt believe that myself that obama didnt back the gays. the reason why im against gay marriage is because i lived with my girlfriend for 8 years and we were not considered a couple, partners, or even a common law couple by most health insurance companies, but the gays can call themselves partners and get health insurance all day long. gays want equal rights?? dont think so man, if i dont get treated fair, then why should they. i didnt choose a lifestyle that will always be looked down on, and i dont care what anyone says. no one is born gay!!!! California residents banned gay marriage once before, and they banned a second time, get over it homosexuals, no one is telling you that you cant get married, california is telling you cant get married in the state.....

[Anthony Andrews]

John (up above) wrote: "gay marriage is hatred toward Jesus. therefore, gays are the true haters."

Uh, sorry to burst your bubble, John...but Jesus Christ never, EVER said a word about homosexuals or homosexuality. But, if you dust off your New Testament, you might learn that He had a WHOLE lot to say about judging and condemning people--not to mention a little something about "casting stones." And let's just toss the Old Testament as an example of what Christians should believe as law, because The Lord made it very clear that those old laws no longer applied (sorry you misguided lovers of Leviticus). So don't hide behind Christian beliefs if 1) you don't know what the New Testament teaches and 2) if you use a faux-religious argument to hide behind the most un-Christian thing I can think of: hate. All, please, let's not forget that a number of churches and religious leaders were against Prop. 8. Myself included.

[Changing the World for the Better]

Hey AZKMB from Arizona & OldGADawg from Georgia, I was at the Modonna concert and it was incredible. At 50 she can really put on a show. The amazing thing about Madonna is she changes with the times and continues to be relevant. I have a suggestion to both of you, why don't you move out of America, say to Kazakhstan the home of Borat, where the last thing that changed was a donkey crossed the road. I suppose it's that way in Arizona and Georgia too. We're happy to have Modonna in CA.

[Here's to critical thinking, and common sense, people.]

Reality seemingly slips though the fingers of insanity as others bash the Mormons while still extolling their own virtues of tolerance.

If this were truly an issue of civil rights, then perhaps both sides of the issue should be examined:

Constitutionally, it is correct that decisions regarding marriage are to be decided by the individual states, as it is part of their rights.
On the one hand, if Prop 8 had not passed, marriage, traditionally a religious union -- "under God," as it were -- would be redefined through a civil government, thereby implying it a right, where before it would have been a privilege to be married by an authorized person of the state (or clergy of a church). Without passing Prop 8, the previous court ruling would stand, permitting homosexual couples to marry.
By the state not deciding to pass Prop 8 would, in time, lead to even greater implications; schools, starting from elementary school on, would have to incorporate homosexual with their heterosexual education, since there would then be no distinction (legally) between a heterosexual or a homosexual marriage . Religions, holding on to their constitutional right to worship as they please, would be penalized for not permitting these marriages between homosexual couples, since they would be viewed as equal under the state. Other implications attacking society as a whole by undermining the family as the first basic unit of society, could bring this civilization down almost as fast as the Romans or the Greeks, whose fall coincided, somehow, with the general acceptance of similar practices.
Now that it has not passed, there are many who may feel like a right has been taken away from them, and understandably as well for anyone in a similar situation. Tolerance, however, does not necessarily mean condoning another's actions which we might not agree with, but instead reaching out to all those who are willing to accept in a sense of brotherly kindness; inviting to learn to add to what you already feel and know, and see if something better can be offered. Listening to each viewpoint, but not necessarily accepting an opposing viewpoint. This is tolerance.

Don't be blinded by the hype, regardless of its source, by letting racial, religious or other intolerance to steal sight from the facts of the blinding incandescence of the truth.

[flower]

Im a christian and im not against gays. Im against gay marriage. I don't care who you love, who you sleep with that is your business. NOT A CIVIL LAW.
BUT, when you parade yourself around my children who are being taught our beliefs and they start asking questions and maybe even being influenced by your idea of "morality" THAT PISSES ME OFF. KEEP IT IN YOUR BEDROOM. I DO. I don't parade myself with my husband in the way your do yours. Don't bring it in our schools and again, God does love the gays, but he hates that sin, as much as he hates any other sin. This has nothing to do with race or ethnicity or civil laws, it is a sexual thing, AND AS LONG AS I LIVE, I WILL FIGHT TO BAN THIS. I have to protect my childrent and grandchildren.

[Stephen]

I remember when Madonna was on Nightline several years ago, and she came across as an absolute moron. Stick with the music Madge! Also, it was so brave of the anti-prop 8 protestors to 'riot' in Westwood. Since 70% of the African-American vote supported Prop 8, will these 'protestors' be marching in South Central and Watts this week-end? I truly hope so.

[Proud Gay]

I am a homosexual man living in California and I think that this issue has gone too far. I hope other homosexuals such as myself respect the sanctity of marriage between man and woman. We have our civil union with the same rights and benefits. I cannot raise a family and will not endanger a child to grow up in my environment. California has voted and whether I agree or not, I should respect the decision that the democratic vote has come to and I apologize to any group religion that has gotten harassed at because of the outcome. I appreciate how most heterosexuals do respect my lifestyle and I will never make your different minorities feel targeted as well.

[MinorityRule]

Madonna's credentials to speak on the family:

Singer of sexually suggestive songs
Publisher and subject of sex book
Movie star of erotica show
Soon to be twice divorced
Mother of out-of-wedloclk child
Allegedly illegally adopted African child
Living long-term out of the United States

She may be the only person whose opinion is clearly worth less than the air used to speak it.

[Sincerely]

Are you saying we should limit the groups people are associated with, or should we censor what the groups discuss among their members? AKA: freedom of speech?
The voters (also Mormon) gave financially to this cause, not the LDS church. The voters have made their choice.

[EDM]

I see...I think homosexuality is wrong therefore I'm a hater. No, I think it's immoral. Is that such a crazy notion to think that sodomy and homosexuality is wrong? I see...you don't have a problem with it so it's all good. So...I'm a hater and you're a lover. How nice and convenient to wrap that in a neat package that paints you as the righteous one and me the horrible hater. Nice reversal of morality. I'm a man who thinks sodomy and homosexuality is wrong, therefore I'm immoral for thinking that? - a hater?. I'm all for people, straight or gay, to have access to benefits afforded to legally married men and women. I'm not for oppressing...however, no one has the freedom to redefine marriage as nothing but between a man and a woman. The bottom line is this - you don't believe God thinks homosexual relationships are wrong. You will rationalize this to incredible lengths by saying that 50% of heterosexuals can't provide a loving family atmosphere and that Jesus says to love, not hate. Jesus would not condone homesexual behavior but would invite all gays to be delivered from that sin. He would not hate, but would also not betray God's moral standards on sexual behavior. All humans are screwed up, gay and straight. But that never means we compromise God's standards on sexual behavior. By the way, Madonna is a person with problems like everyone else. Based upon her public behavior she would be the last person I would listen to.

[Jay]

PEOPLE, WINNING PROP 8 WAS THE JUST THE BEGINNING!!!!!
WE NEED TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE IN ASWELL!!!!!
WE ARE BEING DISCRIMINATED FOR OUR BELIEFS!!!!!
IT TRUELY SEEMS AS IF
WHAT WAS RIGHT NOW IS WRONG
AND WHAT IS WRONG NOW IS RIGHT (MORALLY)!!!!!
LETS KEEP AT IT AND UNITE TO BE HEARD
WE NEED TO RALLY AND CONTINUE SPREADING THE WORD
YES ON PROP. 8

[Brad O.]

If Madonna doesn't support something, you know that the right thing to do is stand for it. She and Diane Feinstein have never stood for anything good or decent in their lives.

[abqprisnr]

Yeah... the mormons did it. 2% of California's entire population influenced the majority of the state to vote for prop 8. Good one. Wow. If the mormons have that much power wouldn't you think they'd have amounted to more than a fringe group by now?

Expanding on what was said by a previous poster; it's pretty clear that the gay agenda, and the media, tried to make an elephant out of a flea.

For Californians to vote AGAIN to uphold the definition of marriage, while at the same time voting a black man to the presidency, seems fairly obvious that this issue resonates across the entire spectrum of people.

The backlash the gays/media created by attempting to isolate and denigrate this tiny fraction of conservatives probably garnered more pro votes than anything the mormons could have possibly dreamed of doing on their own.

Nice work.

[Ronin]

To all of you religious whack jobs. Your end is nigh. You have just put the nail into your coffin. The intelligencia can no longer just stand by and watch you destroy this world, again.

[Arlene]

Wow. What's with the hate mongering? The whole point of voting is to express your political view. It's done. What I'm seeing here is a very divisive issue about how people live their personal lives. The problem is that religion and government have to deal with each other occasionally. And when you force the government to define a religious aspect, nobody is going to be happy. People don't like being told what to do whether their choices are right or wrong. And it goes both ways. Gays may be mad that they didn't win, but straight people are mad that they have to, time and time again, declare their religious belief...which they have a right in this country to express. Clearly I'm on the conservative side of this issue. But you can't deny that no matter what culture you look at in history, the norm has been 'man and wife'. So this outcome shouldn't be a shock.

[Betty]

Religious people throwing stone's while living in glass homes. Tisk Tisk..

[Shame on California]

Mormons did this to themselves. Google "Mormon church locator," find the Mormon churches in your community, and demonstrate at their churches this weekend. Mormons love to say "I'm not a bigot if I believe in traditional marriage." True. Belief in one thing does not make someone a bigot. What makes someone a bigot is when they believe something, then force their beliefs on you to the detriment of the person they disagree with. So Mormons, all of them, are bigots and a danger to our society. And they should be dealt with accordingly.

[Maria]

Oh dear...... Lets keep everyones moral beliefs out of the constitution. If you want to get married by your church so be it.. Believe me I would not step foot inside a church to get married. But if I want to get married by the state and get the same rights as everyone else let me. If I get taxed like a first class citizen then treat me like a first class citizen. As it stands now I get taxed like a fist class citizen but get treated like a second class citizen. Keep your religious beliefs out of my home don't shove it down my throat I could give a rats azz about what you believe or what you define as marriage,

[OldGaDawg]

Wow, was that Maddona or a corps on stage? I am glad 8 passed. If it did not All churches would be considered hate groups.

Maddona, please do not come to Arizona. We just passed a constitutional amendment stating that marriage is a union between one man and one woman.

We would really appreciate you not stopping by our great state.

Thank you!

Posted by: AZKMB | November 07, 2008 at 11:46 AM

............................................................................................................................

Hey MOREDONNA.......

"A little less tongue and take more head".......

Another from Georgia. Don't show up......... We can gladly do without your mouth.

O.D.

[john]

Most churches do have some elements that would classify them as hate groups. Target the Mormons, the Catholics, the Protestants, the Muslims, the whole lot of them to remove their tax-exempt status.

[NJ]

Madonna kiss! Old news. Lets remember kids Madonna is a troubadour, a minstrel i.e a wondering singer of songs. For which she takes your money as ticket cost or record cost. Madonna is an entertainer so it is legit for her to work out 4 hours a day to keep her instrument in shape, but she is not known for her generosity to the elderly in need nor other programs that provide for those who need a hand. Nor is she known for her good judgment i.e. the sex book pictorials nor her political acumen so kids use what judgment you have to THINK FOR YOUR SELF ALL THE TIME, ON ALL AND EVERY SUBJECT. . . .

[adam]

It's not a hate campaign. It's a moral campaign. That's one of the purposes of religions

[GotItRight]

Liberals will never accept a fair, legal vote outcome that isn't aligned with their own distortion of reality. Gay unions are legal formations in CA and other states that offer the same civil and social benefits that marriage does. This is not their agenda -- it's their desire to normalize abnormal social behavior. Gay marriage is an oxymoron...

[CG]

Nice language there Brian -- history has told us that people who protest the loudest against the gay movement are usually latent homosexuals themselves. Welcome brutha!

Even our new President notes on this website notes that current civil unions are totally inadequate -- they lack more than 1100 federal rights -- see below from his website:

Couples: Barack Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples equal legal rights and privileges as married couples. Obama also believes we need to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions. These rights and benefits include the right to assist a loved one in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits, and property rights.

[Marshal Jed Cooper]

Hey Madonna, sing your song and get off the stage. When important decisions need to be made, that is your que to leave the room. Your nothing but a highly paid dancing monkey.

[tam]

Mike, what a fool you are... all those rich people like Madonna don't pay taxes either... and belive me they won't any time soon... see they have a deal with the Democrats!! Do you mean to tell me that religions that don't want to marry gay people shouldn't put thier money where thier mouth is?? Gimme a break!! they have every right to donate thier money to promote thier agenda.. jsut like Madonna does. I am not a mormon but I would much rather listen to them than the likes of Madonna. Why she is so popular is just a sad comment on our society!! You are a brain washed fool ......you want all the rules for those that are against what you belive but feedom for those who agree... can't have it both ways can ya!!! EVERY ONE GRAB YOUR CHILDREN AND GET OUT OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THEY ARE PROMOTING ALL THIS CRAP!!!

[john]

gay marriage is hatred toward Jesus. therefore, gays are the true haters.

[AB]

Well I see a lot of similarity among the vote to ban Gay marriage and the effort to keep the slave trade going on a few hundred years earlier, and throwing jews in the camps. Great way to go US citizens !!!

[Brian Porter]

I' ll tell what's the shame, and that's when you have a vote which gives people the choice to have or not to have certain laws and they choose this law why people make such a big deal with it. They still allow civil unions so get over it. The PEOPLE have voted and you can like it or get the hell out of this country. Are you mad Obama because he was against it. Go protest in front of his place to ya freaks.

[minor fiat]

look at the exit poll details on cnn.com and see that blacks and latinos who made the day for obama also made the difference in the gay marriage thing. whites and asians were the only real supporters. similar in florida. we were never gonna have it both ways. we're gonna have to teach those gosh darn blacks to be more like us first.
right.

[ProTraditionalFamily]

I fail to see what one's religious persuasion has to do with how we feel about how a FAMILY is defined. People of all faiths agree that a marriage should be defined as a MAN and WOMAN. Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Christians.

People of every faith have a right to express their political views and contribute to any cause they feel worthy. So, why should one religious group be singled out? If people of faith respect the opinions and rights of others, shouldn't the opposition give them the same respect?

It seems the only group expressing "hatred" is the ANTI-PROP 8 group.

[straightgaylover]

Peace and Love, Marriage and Family..... just not for gays.

THAT, my friends, is the definition of hyprocracy...

Not the fact that Madonna is divorced AND concerned that her gay friends can't get married.

fundy christians have been ruining true freedom and liberty since this country's violent inception.

Life, librerty, and the pursuit of happiness FOR ALL.

[Anon]

Posted by: Raised in CA - oh why don't you shut up. I assume you are the perfect little straight guy. Oh I forgot, the divorce rate is 50%. Straights can't get it straight when it comes to marriage. They don't want Gays in their perfect little screwed up lives.

[juan]

Mormon's should be ashamed of hiding their hate-filled predudices behind their religion. Discrimination is wrong. This is not a theocracy and all the reasons for not allowing gay marriage are based on the bible. Why are we allowing religion to govern us in a way that is hateful?

[AZKMB]

Wow, was that Maddona or a corps on stage? I am glad 8 passed. If it did not All churches would be considered hate groups.

Maddona, please do not come to Arizona. We just passed a constitutional amendment stating that marriage is a union between one man and one woman.

We would really appreciate you not stopping by our great state.

Thank you!

[FRank]

Madonna is only one opinion.

[Raised in CA]

This is great! I should be listening to Madonna (just recently divorced and had this great, completely loving and sincere kiss with Britney Spears---one of the world's most respected people) for my political and moral guidance.

Tell me more Madonna...please. And raise my children.

[Mike Ryan]

What a shame that the religious groups would spend so much money on a "hate" campaign when so many people are losing their homes and hunger is on the rise worldwide.

Maybe if these religious organizations have so much money for political battles, they should be paying the IRS. After all most of them are responsible for the 8 years we have had to endure with the Bush Administration.

I do not understand why the "No On 8" campaign did not inject the word hate in their advertising or how unchristian it is to be a hater.

I can only say to the religious people of this country who have set us back so much --- Pray but just do't vote anymore.

Jesus condemns all that Hate others.

Peace

[concerned]

Targeting one religion isn't fair. The media hates Mormons. Nothing new. *yawn* Hitler used a lot of popular figures to institute his hatred towards Jews. Good job media! Where is your sickle and hammer?