Margo Hutchinson

News writing & Reporting

Gail Towns

Nov. 21, 2008

 

 

Cincinnati Gays Speak Out about Prop 8

By: Margo Hutchinson

 

            On Nov. 4 the state of California repealed the law that allowed same-sex couples to marry.  

            Ellen Degeneres expressed on her talk show that although she was happy about the election of Barack Obama, but when informed that morning about the passing of Proposition 8 she said, “I was saddened beyond belief." 

            Not only has the ban of same-sex marriage upset may gays and lesbians in the state of California, it has also hit cities such as Cincinnati. “Its a stab at so much we had accomplished.” Cincinnati born Amanda who moved to California in hopes to marry her girlfriend and have a family. “Its almost like women’s rights to vote. What if they had taken it away from them as soon as they gave them the right”, Amanda continues. 

            Cincinnati local John Ritter finds that it is ridiculous that the state made illegal a law that was just passed.  “There is no reason that gays should not be allowed to get married. What happened to separation of church and state?” Ritter questions and believes that church and state should be seen as separate. This ban of same sex marriage had many gays feel as if they are no longer equal

            On Nov. 15 Cincinnati went to City Hall where they held a worldwide protest against the passing of Prop. 8.  The local protest was organized by Impact Cincinnati member Cameron Tolle who told the website gaycincinnati.com, “Last week, voters in California, Florida, Arizona, and Arkansas allowed hate to infiltrate into our political system and classified the LGBTQ community as second-class citizens.”

            The gay and lesbian community still has hope that once Obama is sworn into office that things will change for the better.  John Ritter remains confident by saying, “You know what, in my lifetime things will change!  Obama said so!  It is the same thing that happened in the 60s or so blacks and whites were not allowed to marry people need to get with the times be more open minded.”