Alyssa Rooks
Asst. Features Editor

In the wake of the historic election of the first African-American president, times may seem to be changing. Racial minorities appear to have made the difference in the 2008 election, but other minority groups are still struggling to obtain rights that have long been granted to other citizens.

Proposition 8, a referendum held in California on election day, Nov. 4, 2008, was designed to amend the California State constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman. This amendment, which passed 52.3 to 47.7 percent, may prevent homosexual couples from being married, and could potentially de-legalize the gay marriages performed during the five-month span during which gay marriages were legal in California. Proposition 8 received a great deal of publicity, both in California and around the country, and advocates on both sides spent millions of dollars to promote their viewpoints. Although the referendum passed, it can be overturned through a court case, or another referendum.Viewpoints are divided at GBS as well.

“When you really think about it, there’s nothing really harmful about gay marriage,” said senior Marina Pappamichiel. Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) member. “It’s not hurting anybody, and it’s definitely not taking society apart. It’s not threatening any institution.”

While many were celebrating after Obama’s victory on Nov. 4, Senior Josh Propp’s night was not as positive as it could have been.

“I think it’s a shame,” Propp said. “I found out [that Proposition 8 had passed] amongst so many victories, especially in light of Barack Obama’s election, a big step for minorities in America, to find out that [gay marriage] had been shot down not only in California but in many states. It was a let down. It’s annoying that it’s going to take time, but it’s going to happen. Gay marriage is going to be legalized. It’s just an obstacle.”

For some others, the passing of Proposition 8 brought relief.

Sophomore Owen Haglund does not believe in gay marriage and feels that it is a good thing that Proposition 8 passed.

“I think when you go to school and find out that your friends’ parents are gay…. I think that the kids of gay married couples and also their friends would think that [being gay is] OK, and that it’s normal, [but] people don’t want their kids to think it’s OK to choose to be gay…”

GSA Sponsor and English teacher Cheryl Hope believes that no matter the sexual orientation of the parents, marriage is the best way to ensure a strong family.

“Marriage is a really good glue to begin a family,” Hope said. “I believe in marriage as [a way to start a family] and I want that for anyone who wants it. Why would I not? If I believe in marriage, why would I not want somebody else to not have it? That’s what I don’t understand.”

One crucial argument that is often brought up by both sides of the fence is religion. Some Proposition 8 supporters say that their religion condemns gay marriage. In opposition, many gay-rights activists say that religion should be left out of the picture completely.

“The country was founded based on the separation of church and state—there’s no disputing that, so I don’t see how religion even plays a role in the debate,” Propp said. “It’s a civil liberty, and it has nothing to do with our lawmakers’ religion, and voters’ religion.”

Haglund sees it differently and thinks that, “it’s more of a moral issue, not a political issue. Somehow in California, a blue state, it passed. I think if it was a political issue then it wouldn’t have been accepted [in California].”

Still, Propp believes that religious belief often becomes intertwined with law, which is a problem in itself.

“There needs to be a separation of religious morals and patriotic morals, and I think that the voters in our country are having difficulty discerning between the two,” Propp said.

While some voters may unconsciously let religion play into their decision, other Proposition 8 supporters feel strongly that religion is the main reason behind their beliefs.

“It has to do with my religion,” junior Sarah Gamalinda said. “In Christianity, God says that a marriage is between a man and a woman. So that’s why [I don’t support gay marriage].”

The topic of gay marriage can be a sensitive subject for many people on both sides of the spectrum.

After sharing some of her beliefs on the matter, one junior asked not to be included in the article. She said, “I don’t want to offend anyone—I’m not ashamed of my beliefs or anything, I just don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.”

Despite opposition, and after losing their battle during Proposition 8, many gay marriage supporters feel like the battle is not yet over. Hope said that GSA researched much about Proposition 8, especially after the election.

GSA seemed to express that once people think about gay marriage in a different light, it will gain more support.

“It’s been presented as a civil rights issue now,” Hope said. “And when people think of it as a civil rights issue, and when you deny some people the right to get married, and you’re actually denying them their civil rights, then people think a little differently about it.”

Still, Haglund maintained that “Before, homosexuality was illegal, and people wanted it to be tolerated and accepted and so we said ‘OK, fine’—you can be gay or lesbian or whatever. But now they’re asking for it to be normal… those who opposed can accept them as human beings and they can be gay, but I don’t want gay marriage to be normal, and I don’t want people growing up thinking, ‘Are you going to marry a boy or a girl?’ because I don’t think that’s right.”