California Courts Uphold Prop 8; Join COLAGE in continued efforts for equality, visibility and justice

As COLAGE staff and community members waiting in front of the California Supreme Court in San Francisco this morning, we reflected on the long roller coaster ride that the marriage equality movement has been in California. We nervously chatted with colleagues from across the movement and celebrated the diverse group of folks who had come out to support equality.
At 10 am, we learned that the California Court failed to overturn Proposition 8 but at the same time is upholding the 18,000+ marriages that occurred between June and November 2008.
By upholding Prop 8, the Court has diminished its legacy as a champion of equality. No minority group should have to defend its right to equality at the ballot. The Court’s decision jeopardizes every minority group in California and across the country and the potential for further ballot initiatives that attack minority rights is a travesty.
COLAGE agrees with the dissenting opinion of Justice Moreno who said: This could not have been the intent of those who devised and enacted the initiative process. In my view, the aim of Proposition 8 and all similar initiative measures that seek to alter the California Constitution to deny a fundamental right to a group that has historically been subject to discrimination on the basis of a suspect classification, violates the essence of the equal protection clause of the California Constitution and fundamentally alters its scope and meaning. Such a change cannot be accomplished through the initiative process by a simple amendment to our Constitution enacted by a bare majority of the voters; it must be accomplished, if at all, by a constitutional revision to modify the equal protection clause to protect some, rather than all, similarly situated persons. I would therefore hold that Proposition 8 is not a lawful amendment of the California Constitution.
We are relieved the Court protected couples who married before November 5 and including those of COLAGE members and families. COLAGE believes that the reality of these thousands of couples and families will help educate that marriage equality is not a threat to anyone and that our families are stronger when they have the same rights and options as all Californian couples.
Now, the COLAGE community in California and beyond will use the court decision as an opportunity to continue to raise visibility of children, youth and adults with LGBTQ parents and our families. Tonight in cities across California we’ll take to the streets. In San Francisco COLAGE will be leading the march, will you join us? http://www.dayofdecision.com/?tr=y&auid=4899558
This weekend, COLAGE will join thousands in Fresno, CA for Meet in the Middle, a statewide day of visibility and protest. We invite all of you to join us there. http://www.meetinthemiddle4equality.com
Beyond these actions, COLAGE encourages all of our members to continue to tell your stories. Whether you speak out to your classmates about how inequality impacts your family, or represent people with LGBTQ parents by speaking at a rally, your actions have the awesome power to transform public opinion and build more support for justice. If you want to learn more about using your personal story to make change through the COLAGE Speak OUT program, contact Meredith Fenton, COLAGE Program Director at 415-861-5438 x102 or by email here.