Celebration of marriage set this evening in Fresno and San Diego

Supporters of California's ban on same-sex marriage are planning to rally later today in Fresno and San Diego in what organizers described as a celebration of traditional marriage, and a thank you to the California Supreme Court for upholding the voter initiative preventing gay unions.

The rally plans by opponents of same-sex marriage follow a gathering Saturday of about 3,000 gay-rights supporters in California's Central Valley in a renewed campaign to win over voters. That demonstration, which included a 14.5-mile march from Selma to Fresno, came just days after the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8, limiting marriage to unions of a man and a woman.

The dueling Saturday and Sunday rallies underscore the fact that, despite an election and a Supreme Court decision, the issue of same-sex marriage is by no means settled in California.

Both sides say they intend to keep fighting.

Pastor Jim Franklin, who will be leading the Fresno rally, said it is not a counter-protest, but rather a celebration of his side's victory.

"We are going to have a time of gratitude and thank the courts... and a time to show our gratitude to the 7 million voters who helped [pass] Proposition 8," he said.

Franklin said his meeting was geared to Fresno-area residents, but because of the publicity about Saturday's gay rights event, it could draw people from throughout the San Joaquin Valley.

Meanwhile, labor, religious and civil rights activists planned to meet today in Fresno to plot the next steps in their campaign for marriage equality. Among other things, activists could seek to put the issue on the ballot next year. They also are planning a march this fall in Washington, D.C.

Swaying voters in places like Fresno, which backed Proposition 8 by more than 2 to 1, will be crucial to their efforts.

Fresno police Lt. Gregg Sanders said there were no problems at the Saturday rally, and he expected none this evening. "It was very quiet, no opposing signs or anything," he said.

The Fresno rally is expected to start at 6 p.m. in front of City Hall, Franklin said. Featured speakers were slated to include movie actor Alan Autry, Fresno's former mayor, and Franklin.

-- Jessica Garrison and Gale Holland

Comments

[Sportin' Life]

"Celebration of Marriage"

Is it appropriate to use the propagandist claim of the rally's organizers in your headline? This debate is about the rights of same-sex couples under California law, and this demonstration is motivated by anti-gay prejudice--not by an abstract affection for marriage.

Those who would deny same-sex couples equal legal standing with different-sex couples argue that such equality would have a negative effect on "traditional marriage". But there has never been a satisfactory explanation of what this negative effect would be, or how it would come about. Journalists should be asking the organizers serious questions rather than simply parroting their words.

[william kraal]

lets all celebrate marriage straight or gay, the inclusive american way!!!

[Dina]

Calling this a "celebration of marriage" is depressing to me. What about celebrating the 18,000 same-sex marriages that were solemnized last year?