• 
• 
  • Arts & Culture
  • City Hall
  • Environment
  • Housing & Displacement
  • Immigrant Rights
  • LGBQT
  • Poverty
  • Youth & Schools
• 
  • Features
  • News Briefs
  • Newswire
  • Headlines
• 
  • Mailing Lists
  • PhillyIMC's Wiki
  • LAVA
  • Contact us
• 
• 
• 
• 

Recent Similar Articles

• > Bailout the People Not the Banks - March on Wall Street
• > Lavender Flu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 12 November 2008

Press Contacts: Brandi Fitzgerald

Phone: 610-400-5945

Sam Van

Phone: 215-439-1846

Email: phillyrepealprop8@gmail.com

Website: http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/page/Philadelphia

THOUSANDS PROTEST CALIFORNIA BAN ON GAY MARRIAGE

PHILADELPHIANS JOIN DOZENS OF CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST PROPOSITION 8

Supporting Organizations Include:

ACT UP Philadelphia • GALAEI • Independence Catholic Christian Church

Men of All Colors Together - MACT • Metropolitan Community Church

PFLAG Philadelphia Chapter • Queer Philadelphia Asians • Reformed Catholic Church• Philadelphia Gay News • William Way Community Center

Philadelphia, PA – Responding to what gay activists are calling a catastrophic blow to civil rights, thousands gathered outside of City Hall to denounce last Tuesday’s ban on gay marriage in California. November 4^th saw passage of a series of state ballot measures whereby same sex couples were denied the right to marry, and in one state, the right to adopt children. The most publicly contested of these ballot measures was Proposition 8 in California, which amended the California constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman. Proposition 8 overturned a Supreme Court decision that determined that denying same sex couples the right to marry was unconstitutional.

California was not the only civil rights battle ground in this election; both Arizona and Florida passed similar measures, and Arkansas passed a law that bans same sex couples from adopting children. “The passage of Proposition 8 is a huge step backwards in our fight for marriage equality.” stated protest organizer Brandi Fitzgerald. “Communities across the country are calling for a repeal of this discriminatory measure, and we’re protesting today in support of Californians’ efforts to this end.”

More than forty states now have bans on gay marriage, and with the recent passage of Proposition 8, now only 2 states, Massachusetts and Connecticut, allow same sex couples the right to marry. In Vermont, same sex couples are allowed civil unions, and provided with most, but not all, the rights of marriage. Tiffany Thompson explained, “We live our lives as citizens of this city, this state, and this country. We work, pay taxes, raise children and contribute to our communities. We are asking for full rights as citizens, and to abolish discrimination under the law.”

In Philadelphia, faith communities were among those protesting these discriminatory measures. Representatives from the Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia, Independence Catholic Church, and Reformed Catholic Church came out to show their support for gay rights. MCC Pastor Reverend Jeffrey Jordan explained, “I believe that no one of good heart wants to cause another person to suffer injustice, or to deny rights to their community members and neighbors.  It is necessary that all people take time to discuss this issue so that we can come to a shared vision and do the right thing.”

Communities across the country responded with a national day of action, gathering in cities in every state to simultaneously protest the passage of Proposition 8. Nicholas Deroose of Queer Philadelphia Asians explains, “Marriage should be available to anyone regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation.”  

###