Protest rallies against the passage of Proposition 8, which legalized marriage discrimination in the State of California, have taken place every day since Election Day last week and will continue this week and in the weeks after. A few Pink readers who live outside of California have been asking for information regarding what can be done in their parts of the country to make their voices heard as well. I am happy to report that Join the Impact is organizing a National Day of Protest against the passage of Proposition 8 here in California and FOR THE NEED of marriage equality in this country as a whole. Here is the flyer that is being distributed (which can be downloaded HERE) by organizers who are asking that YOU put up in your cities to alert people of the protest:

You can find more information at jointheimpact.com about the National Day of Protest. For folks here in SoCal, you can click HERE to see an updated list of the protest rallies that are being planned for the coming week. Additionally, repealh8.org is a site that has been set up to update the ongoing plans for overturning the passage of Prop 8 here in California.

Because I will be in Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday November 15, I’m not sure if I will be able to make it out to the Michigan rally that is scheduled to take place in Detroit but YOU can click HERE to see a list of locations where the rallies will take place in your States on the 15th. The passage of Prop 8 here in California (and similar propositions in Florida, Arizona and Arkansas) does not just impact the citizens of those States — nor does it merely impact the lives of the GLBT community — its passage is an affront to Liberty and Justice For All in this country and threatens to undermine the very things that this country stands for. I feel it is very important to stand up for marriage equality in this country. Like so many times before in our nation’s history, the people are being called upon to oppose injustice and discrimination in this country. While we have made great strides in other areas, there is still much work to be done.

Last night thousands of protesters took to the streets of LA and Sacramento, CA (among other cities) to protest the passing of California Proposal 8. My friends and I joined the folks in West Hollywood while Pink reader Courtney participated with her friends in Sacramento. This fight for equal rights is not going to end any time soon. While the US made great strides in Tuesday’s election of Barack Obama as our new President, the passing of proposals in California, Arizona, Arkansas and Florida to strip away the rights of the GLBT community shows how much work we have yet to do in order to create a more perfect union and offer liberty and justice for all Americans. Here are some of photos my friends and I took at last night’s protest rally in West Hollywood:

Three groups have petitioned the California Supreme Court challenging the passage of Proposition 8, contending the ballot initiative banning gay and lesbian marriages was “improperly used.” Californians passed the measure 52.5 percent to 47.5 percent in Tuesday’s general election, countering a state Supreme Court ruling in May that said the state constitution guarantees gay and lesbian couples the right to marry. Passage of Proposition 8 sent protesters into the streets of Los Angeles on Wednesday. The three groups are asking for an immediate stay or an injunction to prevent the initiative from taking effect. They said “such radical changes” as outlawing gay marriage cannot be made by ballot initiative, but must, “at a minimum, go through the state legislature first.” The American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal and the National Center for Lesbian Rights argued in papers filed with the high court that the ballot initiative process “was improperly used in an attempt to undo the constitution’s core commitment to equality for everyone.” It did that “by eliminating a fundamental right from just one group — lesbian and gay Californians,” the groups said in a written statement. The organizations filed the legal challenges on behalf of Equality California and six same-sex couples who did not marry before Tuesday’s election, but would like to be able to marry now. In a separate statement released Wednesday, the three groups stated their conviction, which is shared by California’s attorney general, that California must honor the marriages of the 18,000 lesbian and gay couples who have already married … About 750 to 1,000 protesters staged a half-hour sit-in outside CNN’s Los Angeles bureau on Sunset Boulevard. The demonstrators chanted slogans and banged on the building’s glass doors but then dispersed without incident. Hundreds also gathered on the steps of San Francisco’s City Hall, according to an AP report. Some held candles and carried signs that read, “We all deserve the freedom to marry.” Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres said she is “saddened beyond belief” over the proposed amendment. DeGeneres, who wed actress Portia de Rossi in August, said in a statement Wednesday to The AP that she, “like millions of Americans, felt like we had taken a giant step toward equality” by electing Barack Obama as president. DeGeneres says that with the passage of California’s Proposition 8, “we took a giant step away.”

Some celebs came out to the rally last night to show their support … including author Christopher Rice, actress Pauley Perrette, comedienne Wanda Sykes and, of course, my boy Lance Bass:

Pink reader Courtney sent in some photos from the peaceful candlelight vigil that took place in Sacramento, CA last night:

She writes: Last night I went out to support my gay friends at the vigil in Sacramento. I have to say, it was the most moving experience I’ve EVER had. The mood was bitter-sweet, yet hopeful, because this fight is very far from being over. The crowd of about 1,000 was very peaceful, and managed to scare away the 5 of 6 Yes on 8-ers that appeared across the street. The word is that another one is happening tonight at 7, so everyone come out!

Organizers in San Francisco, CA are planning a protest march in that city tomorrow night:

Please invite all of your friends. Make your own signs!
Date: Friday, November 7th.
Time: Gathering at 5:30, march will begin shortly after.
Place: From Civic Center (Market and 7th) to Dolores Park.

It is a scary prospect that some people believe that they can merely vote away the rights of a group of people just because they are the majority. Under those circumstances, any group of people could have their rights stripped away by a mere popular vote. Can you imagine what the outcry would be if Atheists banded together to vote away the rights of the religious? Proponents of the discrimination against the GLBT community may believe that they have won some battle by stripping away same-sex marriage rights — even tho their marriage rights were never in danger — but I know ABSOLUTELY that marriage equality will be enjoyed by all citizens of this country some day. It will happen. I know this because Justice demands that it will happen. Freedom from discrimination is not easily won … but it can and will be won. There is much work to be done but I am very much looking forward to the day when the same people who flooded the streets in protest last night will, once again, flood the streets in celebration of the vindication of their rights. It will happen.

Folks interested in learning more about the fight for marriage equality can find up-to-date info at MarriageEquality.org

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The campaign to oppose Proposition 8, which seeks to amend the California constitution to specifically deny same-sex couples the right to marry, will not concede that the proposition has passed despite the news reports that claim that it has passed. Here is the full text of the No on Prop 8 campaign’s statement regarding the votes cast in California last night:

Roughly 400,000 votes separate yes from no on Prop 8 – out of 10 million votes tallied. Based on turnout estimates reported yesterday, we expect that there are more than 3 million and possibly as many as 4 million absentee and provisional ballots yet to be counted. Given that fundamental rights are at stake, we must wait to hear from the Secretary of State tomorrow how many votes are yet to be counted as well as where they are from. It is clearly a very close election and we monitored the results all evening and this morning. As of this point, the election is too close to call. Because Prop 8 involves the sensitive matter of individual rights, we believe it is important to wait until we receive further information about the outcome.

I wholeheartedly agree, the count is too close to call without taking into account the absentee ballots that have been cast in this matter. Even still, citizens of California WILL NOT STAND for the legalization of discrimination in this State and have organized at least 2 big rallies to take place today to protest the campaign to strip Californian citizens of their rights. Here is the info for a rally to take place tonight in West Hollywood, CA:

Hundreds to Attend “No on Prop 8″ Rally in West Hollywood Tonight

WHERE: San Vicente Blvd., between Melrose Ave. and Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, California

Additionally, I’ve received word that a candlelight vigil will take place on the steps of the State Capitol tonight … people interested in attending are requested to bring candles and as many people as they can.

If you are able, I urge all Californians to come out and stand united to oppose the attempts to STRIP CITIZENS OF THEIR RIGHTS. As we learned from last night’s election, change is possible and what was once believed inconceivable can become reality. GLBT citizens of the USA deserve to be treated like everyone else. While our country has made great strides in some respects (thank you President-elect Obama) we still have a long way to go … there is still much we need to fight for!

UPDATE: Here is a list of rallies that will be held in California tonight:

Los Angeles
7:00 p.m. | West Hollywood
Corner of Santa Monica Blvd and San Vicente Blvd

Sacramento
note location change
5 p.m. | Gay & Lesbian Center
1927 L St

San Diego
6:30 | The Center
3909 Centre Street
Co-sponsored by the Center, EQCA and HRC

San Francisco
6:30 | City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place

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Woot! The Supreme Court of Connecticut has delivered a ruling that overturns the State’s ban on same-sex marriage, determining that same-sex couples cannot be denied the freedom to marry under the State’s constitution. This means that Connecticut is now the third State in the United States of America to allow same-sex marriage, the second State to allow same-sex marriage this year alone:

Connecticut’s Supreme Court ruled Friday that same-sex couples have the right to marry, making the state the third behind Massachusetts and California to legalize such unions. The divided court ruled 4-3 that gay and lesbian couples cannot be denied the freedom to marry under the state constitution, and Connecticut’s civil unions law does not provide those couples with the same rights as heterosexual couples. “I can’t believe it. We’re thrilled, we’re absolutely overjoyed. We’re finally going to be able, after 33 years, to get married,” said Janet Peck of Colchester, who was a plaintiff with her partner, Carole Conklin. Connecticut will join Massachusetts and California as the only state to allow same-sex couples to marry. “Interpreting our state constitutional provisions in accordance with firmly established equal protection principles leads inevitably to the conclusion that gay persons are entitled to marry the otherwise qualified same sex partner of their choice,” Justice Richard N. Palmer wrote in the majority opinion that overturned a lower court finding. “To decide otherwise would require us to apply one set of constitutional principles to gay persons and another to all others,” Palmer wrote. Gov. M. Jodi Rell said Friday that she disagreed, but will not fight the ruling. “The Supreme Court has spoken,” Rell said in a statement. “I do not believe their voice reflects the majority of the people of Connecticut. However, I am also firmly convinced that attempts to reverse this decision — either legislatively or by amending the state Constitution — will not meet with success.” The lawsuit was brought in 2004 after eight same-sex couples were denied marriage licenses and sued, saying their constitutional rights to equal protection and due process were violated. They said the state’s marriage law, if applied only to heterosexual couples, denied them of the financial, social and emotional benefits of marriage. Peck said that as soon as the decision was announced, the couple started crying and hugging while juggling excited phone calls from her brother and other friends and family. “We’ve always dreamed of being married,” she said. “Even though we were lesbians and didn’t know if that would ever come true, we always dreamed of it.”

This is such amazing news! I am so thrilled that slowly but surely, equal rights for all are being recognized for citizens of the US. You can absolutely feel the winds of change blowing over our Nation … socially, it’s an exciting time to be an American. We are very close to electing our first African-American President and State by State same-sex couples are being allowed to marry just like heterosexual couples. Truly the belief that “All men are created equal” is starting to sink in ;) You may recall that the California Supreme Court also legalized same-sex marriage back in May and same-sex couples began to marry here in June. Almost immediately after, those opposed to same-sex marriage worked to get a propostion on the November ballot to ban same-sex marriage in California. It is IMPERATIVE that Californians VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 8 so that same-sex couples aren’t, once again, treated as second class citizens. It just makes common sense that ALL CITIZENS of this great country be allowed to marry. I really believe that we will get there one day, when the notion of same-sex marriage isn’t given a second thought. I’m sure that we will, one day, live in a country that treats all of its citizens equally — we’re just 47 States away now. Well done, Connecticut!!!

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Altho same-sex marriage officially became fully legal in the state of California on Monday June 16 at 5:01pm PT, it wasn’t until yesterday that most same-sex couples were allowed to get their marriage licenses … and boy did they, by the hundreds. In West Hollywood, CA, a ribbon-cutting ceremony (attended by Star Trek star George Takei and his longtime partner [soon to be husband] Brad Altman, among others) signaled the start of marriage licenses to be issued there while other counties issued their licenses with much less pomp and circumstance. Here are a few pics of George Takei with Brad Altman as they received their marriage license yesterday:

Star Trek’s George Takei is one step closer to the altar. The 71-year-old actor and longtime partner Brad Altman, 54, received a marriage license from the City of West Hollywood on Tuesday morning, becoming one of the first gay Californians to obtain a license since the state Supreme Court overturned a ban on same-sex marriages last month. “We are first and foremost beyond delighted!” an ecstatic Takei told PEOPLE minutes after he obtained the license. “It’s a landmark day.” Just days after the California ruling, Takei announced his plans to marry Altman, his partner of 21 years. The couple plan to wed on September 14 in front of family and friends, including some of Takei’s Star Trek cast mates. Immediately after obtaining their marriage license, “I started singing ‘One Singular Sensation,’” Takei said. “(Brad) said ‘I love you’ and I looked at him and said, ‘I love you.’” Takei and Altman were the first couple to receive a marriage license from West Hollywood, a city that previously did not issue licenses to gay or straight couples. The wedding will take place at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.

While George and Brad are among the first celeb couples to enjoy full marriage equality here in California there were among hundreds of same-sex couples who received marriage licenses yesterday … and many of those hundreds immediately exercised their right to marry and tied the knot. (more…)

Woot! Woot! At 5:01 pm PT yesterday evening, California began issuing the first marriage licenses for same-sex couples making Cali the second state after Massachusetts to offer marriage equality to citizens of the United States of America. Del Martin, 87, and Phyllis Lyon, 84 were the first couple to be married in San Francisco, CA (married by the Mayor of San Francisco himself) and Robin Tyler and Diane Olson were the first couple married here in LA … here are a few pics of Robin and Diane proudly showing off their marriage license (and their lurve for one another) in Beverly Hills, CA yesterday afternoon:

California officials began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples Monday evening after a state Supreme Court ruling legalizing the ceremonies took effect. The May 15 ruling took effect at 5:01 p.m. (8:01 p.m. ET) Monday. Gay and lesbian couples had lined up for hours outside county clerk’s offices in anticipation of the decision coming into force. Lesbian rights activists Del Martin, 87, and Phyllis Lyon, 84, were the first same-sex couple to receive a marriage license in San Francisco on Monday, with Mayor Gavin Newsom presiding over their wedding ceremony. “This is an extraordinary moment in history,” Newsom told a cheering, standing-room-only crowd at City Hall. “I think today, marriage as an institution has been strengthened.” The high-profile mayor heated up the debate on same-sex marriages in February 2004, when he ordered city officials to issue marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples. Martin and Lyon were the first to exchange wedding vows after the order, only to see the ceremony voided later. “I think it’s a wonderful day and I have to thank our mayor for most of it,” Lyon said. “I’m very happy and very grateful for all of you.” Clerks expect a much larger number of couples to show up Tuesday morning to complete marriage-license applications that replace “Bride” and “Groom” with “Partner A” and “Partner B.” The decision makes California the nation’s second state, after Massachusetts, to legalize same-sex marriage. Four other states allow civil unions … In the May 15 ruling, the California Supreme Court struck down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional. The ruling surprised legal experts because the court has a conservative reputation. Six of its seven judges are Republican appointees.

And here in LA:

The era of gay marriage in California will begin today with the Beverly Hills wedding of two lesbians whose court struggle led to the lifting of the state’s ban on same-sex unions. Robin Tyler and Diane Olson, who had been repeatedly rejected at the Beverly Hills Courthouse in their requests for a marriage license, will return to the building this afternoon and become the first couple in Los Angeles County to receive a same-sex license and get married. “We’re going back to ground zero in the same-sex marriage lawsuit,” Tyler said … In a 4-3 decision, the state’s high court ruled last month that the proposition was unconstitutional because it discriminated against gays and did not provide them with equal protection under the law. Most gay couples will not be able to obtain marriage licenses until Tuesday morning, but “in recognition of their unique role in the court’s decision,” Olson and Tyler will receive their license today and be permitted to wed, according to Dean Logan, acting Los Angeles County registrar-recorder/county clerk … The onslaught of same-sex couples seeking marriage licenses is expected to begin Tuesday. In West Hollywood, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. at the West Hollywood Park auditorium, 647 N. San Vicente Blvd., to mark the beginning of the licenses being issued. Gay couples can then apply for licenses and get married in civil ceremonies … Unlike Massachusetts, the only other state to sanction same-sex marriages, California will allow nonresidents to wed. However, the federal government still does not sanction same-sex marriages, and the General Accounting Office has identified 1,138 federal benefits and civil marriage rights that will not be extended to gay couples.

And so it begins … our nation moves one step closer to offering marriage equality to all US citizens. While this development is a major accomplishment for civil rights in our country we are still a long way away from “truth and justice for all”. There are still 48 states that do not sanction same-sex marriage in our country and there are venomous opponents who will fight tooth and nail to stand in the way of this new freedom. Much congrats to all happy couples who are finally allowed to marry in California. I hope and pray this is just the beginning for same-sex marriage in this country. Maybe one day (hopefully soon) all citizens of the United States of America will be allowed the same rights and freedoms … we still have a ways to go … but we’re well on our way to reaching that point.

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