Proposition 8 leading in early returns

A measure to ban gay marriage was leading in early returns primarily from conservative counties but exit polls showed the race as too close to call.

Proposition 8 would amend the California Constitution to define marriage as only between a man and a woman. Exit poll data showed that Democrats and independents were tending to vote against Proposition 8, while Republicans were in favor of the measure.

In this sprawling Republican stronghold of social conservatives and mega-churches, no one looked twice. "Yes on 8" signs, supporting the constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, sprouted from yards, trees and bumpers. Many yards had two or three just to make the point. And McCain-Palin signs vastly outnumbered the few Obama-Biden placards.

Last week, more than 1,000 demonstrators lined Rancho California Road in Temecula to rally against gay marriage. Some owners of "No on 8" signs reported them stolen or defaced. A few "Yes on 8" signs suffered the same fate.

--Jessica Garrison and Cara Mia DiMassa

Comments

[T]

Well if prop 8 wins, the state better declare it unconstitutional.

[ca]

I watched over the past week wondering how to vote. After 7 days of watching "yes on 8" signs destroyed every day, replaced and destroyed the following day my choice was made. Voting with those most tolerant of others. a YES vote for tolerance.

[Erick]

I hope and pray it passes. It's not an issue of equality at all. Gays and lesbians have civil unions that are fulfilling and lifelong. I'm not against those.
And I believe the biblical, legal and dictionary definition of marriage should remain as it is: between a man and a woman.
No one can deny the differences between a homosexual and a heterosexual relationship. The definition of marriage should apply to only one, and civil union to the other.

[Truthteller]

The haterosexual dictatorship at work as always. Haterosexuals believe they are gay people's authority. That they know everything about gay people because they are hateros meanwhile don't know anything about gay people. That they can dictate what gay people can or can't do.

[SanJoseJay]

I hate the sin, i love the sinner.

the people of california said that God Prevails over the sin of sodomy and debauchery and that marriage IS between Adam and Eve, not ... Adam and Steve.

[Josh D]

Why does it make any sense to take AWAY rights from people? That is NOT the place of the government.

I highly doubt Jesus would be penciling away at the polls trying to strip people of their basic human rights. A civil union IS NOT the same thing as a marriage. It IS NOT equal rights.

I'm sorry, but am I the only person who feels that gay people are not second-class citizens?

Remember, not long ago interracial marriage was banned almost everywhere ... I'll bet a lot of you would find that outlandish nowadays.

I'd like to end with this...

ALL MEN are created EQUAL and they are endowed by their creator with certain UNALIENABLE rights. Among those are life, LIBERTY, and the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.

In case you aren't familiar with that, it is from our declaration of independence from Great Britain.

I also find it ironic that the Supreme Court has the words "Equal Justice Under Law" inscribed at the top, yet we've decided the legislate and ban and control how people can love each other.

It's so rediculous.

[Ally]

I believe that seperation of church and state was one of the ideals of our founding fathers. We should keep it seperated. Gay people, as American citizens, deserve the same rights as everyone else, because we wouldn't deny these rights to criminals, so law abiding gay people should not be denied them either. Taking away the legal rights of marriage is unconstitutional. If this passes, California will be the first state to use the constitution to take away rights. I'm not gay, but I would be pretty upset if I had any of my rights denied. I know gay people can have "legal unions", but they do not receive the same benefits or legal rights a married couple is entitled to. If these legal unions had the same rights, I would have nothing against the proposition.

[Phil]

"And I believe the biblical, legal and dictionary definition of marriage should remain as it is: between a man and a woman. "

You seem to have been sorely misinformed. Proposition 8 will have no impact on the "biblical" definition of marriage.

[Breck]

So, when is the state going to forbid all heterosexuals who don't worship the Judeo-Christian god from marrying? And, if we're so concerned about protecting the children, let's outlaw divorce. While we're at it, let's outlaw domestic disputes, since children do best in "low conflict" environments. Prison for all couples who argue!! Hoorah! It totally makes sense!

[Mark Harrison]

I am disgusted by the confusion between religion and opinion. Civil unions in the UK have now been legal for 4 years and no one cares. Why should they? It doesn't affect anyone else and we have managed to separate our ideals of religious view and politics, something I hope the USA will now do with the democratic win.

To amend the constitution this way is surely more illegal and the biggest step back ever. Will the USA trail behind the rest of us on this forever? I fear it may do. Will a black president really mean equality for everyone? I hope so. Will the American public ever really understand gay rights if they are sheltered from it and fear it? I doubt it.

Wake up, America.

[Michael]

They cannot declare this unconstitutional because it will be added to the CA State Constitution. Only people that can touch this is the US Supreme Court, and they avoid these things like the plague.

[Dominic Garcia]

It truly scares me when people use the bible and the Lord's name to promote hate and bigotry. You may not approve of something but I am sure the lord does not approve of you judging others so harshly/

[lara]

I wish you were all born gay, just so I could take this right away and discriminate against you, that way you could feel what I've been feeling my whole life. I can't believe you would fight so hard to TAKE AWAY a CIVIL RIGHT, I DESERVE and every human being deserves! Enjoy YOUR privilege. Peace

[SometimesCalifornia]

Marriage in the bible is polygamy, stop trying to tote it as some holy institution. It's a contract between two responsible adults.

[Maud]

Good Luck Californian....

Okay ... I think that's being against same-sex marriages is only because people are afraid of what is different.
And STOP putting GOD in these stuff... . BECAUSE IT S ABOUT CIVIL UNION .... Religious ceremony ARE SOMETHING ELSE....

So stop using an excuse to justify the fact that some people are discriminating OTHERS....

[Nate]

Marriage has been around since the early days of the Romans and the Greeks and marriages then included same-sex marriage. Of course same-sex marriage became illegal under Christian emperors. Now, a lot of people say that the United States is a Christian country. It's founders were Christians after all. Well, they came here because of religious persecution. Heck, they even wrote a law about religion in that thing we call the Constitution. And if you are saying that marriage is a religious institution, well then no law can be passed that has to do with marriage because that would mean the government is getting involved with religious rights, which it is not what they're supposed to do. But what marriage is really about is expressing some ones love for some one else. And gays and lesbians love no differently than heterosexuals. I mean there is no difference at all, I used to believe there was but there isn't. They're just like us heterosexuals when it comes to the heart, we are all the same when it comes to love. Today America won with Obama's victory, but California has lost if prop 8 passes.

[Luke]

I have to admit: I have never been more hurt and disappointed by the people and country I love, and have fought so dearly for. I suppose we can put our lives on the line for you, pay the taxes and contribute to your societies but we are not “one of you”. We still are not seen equal, and although I didn’t expect it, history repeats itself once again.
I am truly ashamed to be a voting citizen. I really had a lot of faith in the American people. Unfortunately, it seems as though we are falling into the same mindset as every other, less successful country. We had the idea once before, separation of church and state, and equal rights for all. Somehow, our priorities have changed to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for everyone heterosexual”.
I know it’s only a matter of time before these amendments are worthless and gays are finally treated as equals but, this just goes to show how selfish our society can be.
I hope that some of you who voted incorrectly will one day see that everyone deserves equal rights and that your ignorance does not make you any better than anyone else. In fact, our open-mindedness makes us significantly more superior being than yourselves.
Remember, being, people, groups, and nations that do not conform to change crumble and die.

[Uckf Libs]

Yes on 8 means Yes on tolerance. We suffered vandalism, insults and accusations of homophobia from the same people that we granted full legal rights to choose the life style that most suits them, and only asked for their respect for our freedom to choose ours.
I watched in dismay how every Yes on 8 sign in our neighborhoods were hatefully torn down and trampled upon, and could only imagine how much more blatant this lifestyle imposition would get if those same people got their way.
Live. and let live.

[Jason]

Government shouldn't recognize marriage period. But since they do and they only recognize heteros, that makes it completely and totally unconstitutional. The problem with California is that there are too many people that have come here from foreign countries and brought the same oppressive religious values that destroyed there own countries. So why would they want to bring the same hate and mind control to a new country? This is what I don't understand. If people come here and don't recognize freedom for everyone, then they are doomed to create the same conditions from which they and their ancestors fled from. There are too many people here that care more about chicken freedom, than they care about human freedom.

[Luke]

"I hope and pray it passes. It's not an issue of equality at all."
Well you got your wish... I never thought I'd see the day where Americans would be so gleeful to strip their neighbors rights.

But you are right, its not about equality. Quite the contrary, it’s about ignorant fools such as yourself trying to feel better about yourself because you have no ability to think on a spectrum any more broad than that which is fed to you.

I am honestly disgusted and ashamed to be a voting citizen on this country.

[GAReece]

I think that all the mega church crossed the line and should lose thier Non Profit Status. There is clear cut serpation of church and state.. These wingnuts call them Christians. I grew up in Christian home and never heard such hate , that there people are preching and speading lies about gay and lesbians. They have not read the bible or history. MY fahter was miniter and never preached such hate. He preached the love of God not Politics.
My family core was based in love for our fellow man. Not hate. When we visit Church that were preching hate we would leave.
I am sure my fahter and Mother would outraged if they were still alive. In fact they are watching from above with digust at the current churchs using the church and politcal machine

[Brian Kelly]

Narrow-minded individuals will always use their beliefs in a way most people would not. Everyone should pray for those ignorant, tunnel-visioned people who hide behind their religion to tout intolerance for others. They need the prayers, since God is the only one who can judge any of us, including those who discriminate against others.

Gays and lesbians are persecuted for nothing other than ignorance and fear from those who know nothing about them, nor care to inform themselves about anyone who is different than themselves.

These people need the prayers for the after life more than gays or lesbians, for God will judge them harshly for their judgement of others.

[oc4obama]

The gay community is used to being a persecuted minority and will live to fight another day, stronger and more determined than ever. History is on our side -- Prop 8 has passed with a MUCH slimmer majority than Prop 22. Younger people are much more understanding about gays and they are the future. I hope the anti-gay crowd realize that the passing of Prop 8 hasn't eliminated gays, just their right to marry. You will be hearing a whole lot more from the gay community than if Prop 8 had failed. And I think we need to have a review of the tax-exempt status of the church, since its lies, hypocrisy, fearmonging and money was an overtly political act.

[davis]

Marriage is between a man and a woman lets stop crying over that spilt milk. If you want to talk about unconstitutional, try the fact that we already passed this a few years back with prop 22 and the 3 stupid judges over turn majority vote? You talk about gay people loseing their rights they didn't lose anything. But if prop 8 hadn't passed I as a parent would have lost the right to decied if my children would learn about homosexual relationships in school.

[RightsForAll!]

I dearly hope that Prop. 8 doesn't pass. I believe that gay people have as much right to get married as straight people do. Would you want someone to tell you that you can't marry the person you love? I know I wouldn't, that'd be awful. This is the 21st century and saying two homosexual partners shouldn't be allowed to marry is as ridiculous as saying an interracial couple shouldn't be allowed to marry. Grow up already!

[FWJ]

First off.. if Civil bonds can already be had.. why do the Gay couples want a RELIGIOUS ceremony? separation of CHURCH and STATE is to protect the CHURCH from the states oppressing them.. the state can not dictate how we hold any tradition. Civil bonds.. are not marriage.. no.. marriage was created by religion. Allowing gay marriage will cause the STATE to DICTATE TO CHURCHES how we handle moral and traditional issues. UNCONSTITUTIONALLY. Gays have Civil unions.. with all the recognition of a full marriage, they DONT NEED TO TREAD on CHURCH CREATED issues. This is an issue the Gay community needs to back up off of.. and realize... the majority of the Earths religions don't agree with THEM.. they want to be religious.. they have the same rights as all do.. marry the Oposite sex or get a Civil Union. the discrimination and unconstitutional issue is with THEM not church.

[FWJ]

First off.. if Civil bonds can already be had.. why do the Gay couples want a RELIGIOUS ceremony? separation of CHURCH and STATE is to protect the CHURCH from the states oppressing them.. the state can not dictate how we hold any tradition. Civil bonds.. are not marriage.. no.. marriage was created by religion. Allowing gay marriage will cause the STATE to DICTATE TO CHURCHES how we handle moral and traditional issues. UNCONSTITUTIONALLY. Gays have Civil unions.. with all the recognition of a full marriage, they DONT NEED TO TREAD on CHURCH CREATED issues. This is an issue the Gay community needs to back up off of.. and realize... the majority of the Earths religions don't agree with THEM.. they want to be religious.. they have the same rights as all do.. marry the Oposite sex or get a Civil Union. the discrimination and unconstitutional issue is with THEM not church.

[Arno]

@FWJ:

Ah, but civil unions are not the same as marriage: if a partner dies, the other partner does not get anything unless it is explicitly mentioned in the will. Civil unions do not receive the same tax cuts as a marriage etc. Ergo: because two people of the same gender love eachother, they have to pay more to be together than people of a different gender. So no, they do not have the same rights.

Oh, and that seperation from church and state goes both ways: not only can the state not force itself on the church, but the churches are not allowed to influence political decisions either. The pittiful attempts of the Religious Right to have McCain elected by having the pastors hand out clearly skewed fliers is therefore a breach of seperation of church and state as well.