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Gay activists jarred by California marriage defeat
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-11-06 16:53

Proposition 8 became the focus of the most expensive social-issues campaign in US history, with the rival sides raising a combined $74 million. Religious groups, including the Mormon church and the Roman Catholic Church, played pivotal roles in pushing for the ban.

Gay activists jarred by California marriage defeat
Same-sex couple Stuart Hata (R) and Mark Cadena share a private moment in City Hall after their wedding ceremony in San Francisco, California November 3, 2008. Proposition 8, a California ballot measure, would eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry and provides that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in the state. [Agencies]

"People believe in the institution of marriage," said Frank Schubert, co-manager of the Yes on 8 campaign. "It's one institution that crosses ethnic divides, that crosses partisan divides."

Exit polls revealed dramatic demographic gaps in the gay-marriage vote. While about six in 10 voters under 30 opposed the ban, about the same proportion of those 65 and older supported it. There were sharp racial discrepancies as well. Even as black voters overwhelmingly backed Barack Obama, a gay-rights supporter, in the presidential race, about seven in 10 of them voted against gay marriage, compared with about half of white voters.

Denise Fernandez, a 57-year-old black woman from Sacramento, said she voted for Obama and Proposition 8. "I believe a Christian is held accountable," she said.

Obama had a nuanced position on the issue, saying he opposes gay marriage while also speaking out against Proposition 8.

Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, did not directly criticize Obama, but said: "We'd hope for a day when candidates who are supportive of same-sex marriage are unafraid to clearly state that to the voters."

Gay-marriage proponents say New York, where the Democrats now control both the Legislature and the governor's office for the first time in 35 years, may be a promising battleground. New Jersey also is considered a gay-marriage prospect.

"We pick ourselves up and trudge on," said Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. "There has been enormous movement in favor of full equality in eight short years. That is the direction this is heading, and if it's not today or it's not tomorrow, it will be soon."

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