Prop. 8 Update

After this Saturday's nationwide protests against the passage of Prop. 8 in California and other anti-gay legislation in Arkansas, Arizona, and Florida, what's next? Here is the status of some of the ongoing campaigns against Prop. 8.

Although Governor Schwarzenegger will not be joining the Democratic legislators who are supporting the legal challenge against Prop. 8, he has stated that he believes it should be overturned by the courts.

Prop. 8 may also be able to be challenged federally under the 14th Amendment, which guarantees equal protection under the law.

Californians Against Hate has filed an FPPC complaint against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, questioning their unreported non-monetary contributions to the Prop. 8 campaign. Only one FPPC report was filed on non-monetary contributions, showing only $2,864.21. Yes on 8 campaign manager, Frank Schubert said that Mormons contributed $15 to $20 million to the Yes on 8 campaign. You can visit Californians Against Hate to see a list of contributors to Prop. 8 who gave $5,000 or more.

And here's another reason why the passage of Prop. 8 and other anti-LGBT ballot measures matter: the National Sexuality Resource Center has done research concluding that gays and lesbians from states which pass anti-gay initiatives report significantly more depressive symptoms, stress, and negative affect, than gays, lesbians and bisexuals in states that did not have ballot measure campaigns.

You can find a listing of upcoming Prop. 8 protests in California here, and we'll keep you updated.

Comments

[Utah2bearsplaying]

http://sundancfilmfestival2009prop8protestut.blogspot.com/

Please Continue to Protest the Hate of Prop8 by your good charity works! The time has never been greater to HELP Your FELLOW MAN, THE THING THE CHURCHES SHOULD HAVE DONE INSTEAD OF SPENDING ON HATE!

[bjackson]

Guys there is a great LGBT civil rights organization called the Empowering Spirits Foundation. They are very creative in how they approach this hot topic issue, in that they engage in service oriented activities in communities typically opposed to equal rights to foster thought and change for LGBT equality.

A friend of mine told me about it and I thought it was a great, positive approach to the issue. We had so much fun at the last event and it was great to give back to the community. Plus it was great to converse with others on the other side of the table in a way that wasn't confrontational.

Anyway, this can be such a heated issue and I thought this was a unique approach.