Thousands in St. Louis protest California’s gay marriage ban
An attack on civil rights anywhere is an attack on civil rights everywhere. In that spirit, more than a thousand people gathered on the steps of the Old Courthouse Saturday to protest California’s passage of Proposition 8, outlawing gay marriage.
According to organizers and police officials, 1,400 people joined the protest in downtown St. Louis. The crowd waved signs, banners and cheered in support of marriage rights for all Americans.
State and City Officials who spoke included: St. Louis City Mayor Francis Slay, Aldermanic President Lewis Reed, Comptroller Darlene Green, State Senator Joan Bray, and a representative of State Rep. Jeanette Mott Oxford.
Religious leaders Rabbi James Stone Goodman, Rev. Krista Taves, Rev. Susan Drake and Rev. Julie Jennings also spoke out against Proposition 8.
To learn more about Prop 8 activities in St. Louis, visit Show Me No Hate’s website.
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49 Comments
Margie
Monday, 17th November 2008 at 9:50 AM
We spontaneously joined the energetic, colorful and loud Chicago march Saturday. Several thousand protesters marched from Federal Plaza and took over northbound Michigan Avenue for blocks, shutting down the “Mag Mile” traffic for a while around 3:30 p.m., with a large tourist audience.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-gay-rally-16nov16,0,2114450.story
Lawrence
Monday, 17th November 2008 at 11:02 AM
The proposition was for the state of California. What business is it of anyone in St. Louis or Chicago?
If someone proposes a state constitutional amendment protecting marriage in Missouri or Illinois, then I could see the purpose of such marches.
Antonio D. French
Monday, 17th November 2008 at 11:06 AM
To Lawrence:
What if Alabama proposed outlawing interracial marriage again? An attack on civil rights anywhere is an attack on civil rights everywhere.
John Q. Public
Monday, 17th November 2008 at 12:29 PM
I do not believe that Gay Rights aare the same as Civil Rights; however I support a persons rights to practice their personal beliefs.
My question to you is where the priests of the Catholic Church pracaticing Gay Rights as they ruined the lives of male children ?
Where were the Gays when Civil Rights Activist murdered by Raciest White men and woman ?
Jackson
Monday, 17th November 2008 at 12:41 PM
California voters have voted. These rallies should have come before the election! Even if Californians were collectively shamed into rethinking support of the amendment, what could they do at this point to stop it?
flyover
Monday, 17th November 2008 at 12:47 PM
It is interesting that black voters carried the day in this election voting overwhelming in favor of the ban. Why aren’t gays calling out them instead of Mormons?
Independent Voter
Monday, 17th November 2008 at 1:31 PM
No one’s going to step on the toes of Bros & Sistas, unless it’s the switch hitter, That One, who talks down to them and they just take it!
Douglas Duckworth
Monday, 17th November 2008 at 4:33 PM
President of the Board of Aldermen Lewis Reed made a compelling argument, articulating clearly, through citation of the Constitution and Pledge of Allegiance, that these are not Gay Rights but Human Rights. He also cited rightfully that his own marriage, and that of President Obama’s parents, would have once been considered illegal. Mayor Francis Slay noted both his diverse family, and also our diverse government, as an examples of how he disapproves of Prop 8. He rendered his support for our diverse City and indicated that St. Louis City was the only County in Missouri to vote NO on the 2004 Missouri Constitutional Amendment which defined marriage as between a man and a woman. The other speakers were equally moving and, despite the frigid temperature, I’m glad to have been a part of this rally.
Douglas Duckworth
Monday, 17th November 2008 at 4:44 PM
Moreover we shouldn’t blame minority voters for the passage of Proposition 8, but rather we should look at those influences that compelled their vote: religious indoctrination.
Turd Ferguson
Monday, 17th November 2008 at 8:24 PM
Really?
Juju
Monday, 17th November 2008 at 10:17 PM
Ain’t this some shXT a thousand people protest gay marriage ban, but you MO people voted in that BS on English language. What does the bible verse say about he who is without sin cast the first stone? People are getting shot-up and abused by the police, our schools are shXt and we just voted for the most racist bills imaginable and no one says a damn word, but a thousand people protest gay marriage in another state? St. Louis get it together!!!!!
Lawrence
Monday, 17th November 2008 at 10:38 PM
TO: Antonio D. French, Your question and statement are a straw man argument. The horrendous act of trying to ban inter racial marriage was once a legitimate concern. Again, it was trying to penalize someone because of their culture, that which they were born into.
This is not on a morally equal level of people who are trying to destroy the sanctity of marriage because they want to validate what they know is a foolish lifestyle choice.
As a former St. Louis resident, I am saddened to see my home town subjected to this kind of unrest over a small segment of the population justifying their sin. Would you be as concerned about rapists demanding their rights, or pedophiles? I think not. Yet, you are quick to try to defend this indefensible behavior.
By trying to link themselves to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and his valiant struggle, one for which he was martyred, is a travesty and a cheapening of his supreme sacrifice. That is why his neice, Dr. Alveda King, stands against the actions of this small but vocal group who would lessen the importance of the struggle for which both her father & uncle died.
Lawrence
Monday, 17th November 2008 at 10:49 PM
For flyover: What the mainstream media has tried to hide is that California homosexuals have, indeed, tried to call out blacks who voted to defend traditional marriage. The homosexuals have resorted to screaming cultural ephitats at black churchgoers. It is a sad state of affairs when people are harrassed and harangued for exercising their constitutional right to vote and have their opinion heard. It is intimidation at its worst.
flyover
Tuesday, 18th November 2008 at 7:59 AM
We disagree on the English language bill. It is critical that we all speak the same language. All previous groups learned to adapt. My people’s language in Eastern Europe was no more like English than the African slaves languages and dialects, but we all learned. America works as a melting pot, it doesn’t work with individual groups wanting to be different. I was in Walgreen’s yesterday and almost the enitre staff was Hispanic. The announcements over the PA were in Spanish. This was in Des Peres. You want my business, learn to speak English.
Independent Voter
Tuesday, 18th November 2008 at 12:38 PM
Douglas Duckworth,
Religious indoctrination has compromise? It allowed them to overwhelming support Obama despite his pro-choice, gay rights, and embryonic stem cell research stance!
Show Me No Hate
Tuesday, 18th November 2008 at 10:15 PM
It is important to stay on point when you are having a conversation or debate. This was not a protest for the rights of rapists, or pedophiles. If it was I too would be disgusted and raise brow, but it was not. (Statistically speaking heterosexuals make up the overwhelming majority of rapists, and pedophiles.)
The St. Louis Prop 8 Protest was a part of a nationwide movement born only a few days ago. With over 150 cities participating and over 1 million Americans lining up for the cause, clearly this is a compelling issue for not only Californians but for Missourians and all Americans.
I am proud that St. Louis was able to attract over 1000+ protesters according to National Park Services and Police officials. Not only did we stand as individuals but with the overwhelming support of local clergy, businesses, politicians including Senators and State Reps, physicians, organizations and even the St. Louis City Mayor and the St. Louis County Executive (through his assistant) too. (A whole lot of people who felt this is an important Missouri issue.)
Back to the real issue: the arguing points are not about morality. If they were about morality then Prop 8 should of been about banning divorce, adultery and domestic violence. Those issues have a much greater impact on maintaining the rhetoric of “tradition marriage.” But this was not about morality, this is a clear attack on American citizens who were already in a same-sex marriage under CA Constitutional protection.
Show Me No Hate
Tuesday, 18th November 2008 at 10:15 PM
I know it is hard for some of you to understand this, but Prop 8 was already rejected by the CA Supreme Court when it was passed in 2000 as then Prop 22. The Supreme Court recent judgment ruled that Prop 22 was unconstitutional under CA Equality Amendment. The highest court of that State did never even mentioned morality; rather the court ruled on the very basic rights of your American Freedoms, equality protection - period.
We are talking about United States American citizens rights to be treated equally in respect to civil marriage laws not religious marriage laws. Even the U.S Constitution protects the rights of all Americans to be treated equally with respect to all civil laws, and rights.
Finally, we are not talking about rights of pedophiles, polygamists, bestiality, rapists any or other illegal activities. Contrary to your personal religious beliefs, being homosexual in the United States is not illegal - period. Two consenting adults involved in a same-sex homosexual relationship is also not illegal in any of the 50 States of our Union. (Lawrence v. Texas)
This IS a Civil Rights issue when states create targeted laws restricting the rights afforded to other American citizens living in that state whom already are protected. (See Romer v. Evans and Lawrence v. Texas.)
I have no issue with you disliking homosexuals based on personal or fundamental religious beliefs; however, those have no place in our Constitution, the absolute fabric of our American Freedom. For example, there should not be laws regarding other religious laws of morality such as: the eating of shrimp, touching the dead, or masturbation.
Keep your Church out of my Constitution.
no hate
Wednesday, 19th November 2008 at 7:21 PM
Amen…oops, I mean “In this I believe”.
Turd Ferguson
Wednesday, 19th November 2008 at 9:01 PM
(Laughing) Whatever. If an attack on civil rights anywhere attacks them everywhere, why didn’t St. Louis upstanding gay community come out against the disenfranchisement in the whole school mess?
Lawrence
Wednesday, 19th November 2008 at 11:08 PM
As usual, one of the points you miss, which happens to be the most salient point, is that the U.S. Constitution is based on Biblical truth and morality. This point is stated numerous times, even by those 4 or 5 founding fathers who were not Christian.
As well, most law legislates morality in some form or fashion i.e., the ban on the aformentioned pedophilia.
Aaron
Thursday, 20th November 2008 at 1:33 AM
PHOTOS Prop 8 Protest St. Louis, MO (11-15-08)
Show Me No Hate
Thursday, 20th November 2008 at 3:16 AM
Lawrence there is not one single reference in our US Constitution to God. In fact, there is evidence of the opposite.
Unlike most governments of the past, the American Founding Fathers set up a government divorced from any religion. Their establishment of a secular government did not require a reflection to themselves of its origin; they knew this as a ubiquitous unspoken given. However, as the United States delved into international affairs, few foreign nations knew about the intentions of the U.S. For this reason, an insight from at a little known but legal document written in the late 1700s explicitly reveals the secular nature of the U.S. government to a foreign nation. Officially called the “Treaty of peace and friendship between the United States of America and the Bey and Subjects of Tripoli, of Barbary,” most refer to it as simply the Treaty of Tripoli. In Article 11, it states:
“As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility, of Musselmen; and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.”
Keep your [archaic] religious laws away from our American Freedom, and tradition.
Steve Houldsworth
Thursday, 20th November 2008 at 5:57 AM
To the the anonymous poster who asks where Gays were when Civil Rights Activists were being murdered by racist whites, the answer is easy.
Some of us were organizing the 63 March on Washington. Bayard Rustin, an openly gay man, was one of the key organizers of the March. A year before his death in 1987, Rustin said: “The barometer of where one is on human rights questions is no longer the black community, it’s the gay community. Because it is the community which is most easily mistreated.”
Turd Ferguson
Thursday, 20th November 2008 at 6:01 PM
Keep you archaic religious laws away from our American Tradition? Ha!
Why should the state recognize any marriage? It is unconstitutional, right? If gays want to get married, let them form thier own church where it is ok! On the issue of civil “bias” one way or the other, I think the only distinction should be taxes. Couples with children should get tax breaks. Those without, well too bad. You chose not to propagate the human race, so why should you get a tax break?
john w.
Friday, 21st November 2008 at 12:53 PM
Turd is such an apt name.
john w.
Friday, 21st November 2008 at 1:02 PM
Eventually, people like flyover, independent voter, the turdster, and Lawrence will become part of the permanent minority in this country, and we’ll look back on the ridiculousness of the need to decry the bigotry that refuses to recognize the dignity of another. This election was simply the first in a string of many that reflects an emerging generation of young voters that are just as confused as to why hate and bigotry toward ‘others’ is as prevalent as it still is, and have no need for the stupidity of division.
Turd Ferguson
Friday, 21st November 2008 at 2:34 PM
You realize you’re contradicting yourself? Why can’t you respect my views, huh? You’re the one widening the “divide”, as you put it. Glad to see you’re up to the prophecy game again. How do you feel about Lord Obama’s position on the bailout(s)?
Glad to see my joke of a name is residing in your dome!
Turd Ferguson
Friday, 21st November 2008 at 2:37 PM
It’s ironic that you would call me a “minority”, since it was minorities that put Prop 8 over the top.
Guess I’ll be in good company!
Notgay
Friday, 21st November 2008 at 7:56 PM
Once again it’s proven that ignorance has no boundaries. You can’t talk since into a bigot. Maybe when their daughter grows up and loves a woman or their son grows up to love a man they will learn. Or maybe they’ll disown them and lose out on the opportunity to have that love in their life. The one thing I do know is that karma will rear it’s ugly head in some form. They will probably not recognize her when they see her so she’ll have to come back again and again. They’ll cry out why me lord and he’ll snicker and say why not you, you bigot.
Show Me No Hate
Friday, 21st November 2008 at 11:10 PM
Stop spreading the minorities put prop 8 over the top. Older heterosexual white men (a lot who were CA republican and independent voters) put the darn thing over the top. This silly idea that an enormous block of Black and Hispanic voters nailed the coffin for Prop 8 is just lies, the biggest single block was white voters.
Which I am sure you would know something about Turd….
Turd Ferguson
Saturday, 22nd November 2008 at 10:44 AM
Oooh, did I hit a nerve? :0 It’s hilarious when you continuously try to categorize me! You’ll notice I never said gay marriage should be banned. And don’t give me this “Holier Than Thou” b.s.
btw, Show Me, What skin color am I?
Turd Ferguson
Saturday, 22nd November 2008 at 10:48 AM
White people voted a little against it. Minorities voted overwhelmingly for it. Man, that must really piss you “Hope for Change”ers off!
jim heger
Saturday, 22nd November 2008 at 1:17 PM
This is in no way pointing blame towards the St. Louis gay community, it is just a little clarification about the disenfranchisement of the SLPS…
That happened over an extended time, any group of civic-minded individuals had plenty of time to step up and either support the state takeover or fight it and still plan a march in Washington. A few stepped up to fight it but never received the support of a powerful enough group. Even the teacher’s union pussed out.
john w.
Saturday, 22nd November 2008 at 1:43 PM
No, not really Turd, just turds like you.
Turd Ferguson
Saturday, 22nd November 2008 at 3:28 PM
Reduced to incomprehensible babble, now, huh?
jim
Saturday, 22nd November 2008 at 3:37 PM
btw…aren’t turds usually brown?…just curious.
jim
Saturday, 22nd November 2008 at 3:38 PM
I apologize in advance.
Show Me No Hate
Sunday, 23rd November 2008 at 5:33 AM
Turd you have no clue. Get your facts straight like your orientation.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/15/MN5R1435T4.DTL&type=politics
“Religion was just as pronounced. Prop. 8 found support among 81 percent of white evangelicals, 65 percent of white Protestants, 64 percent of Catholics and 84 percent of weekly worshipers. In the exit poll’s only nonwhite category involving race and religion, 58 percent of nonwhite religious voters supported the measure.
The size of these groups gave them a substantial impact on the Prop. 8 outcome: White evangelicals comprised 17 percent of the electorate, Catholics comprised 30 percent, and Republicans comprised 29 percent.
But, for many, the focus has been on a smaller but more identifiable group, African Americans, who comprise 6 percent of the state population. ” SF Chronicle
Turd Ferguson
Sunday, 23rd November 2008 at 10:58 AM
Wow. 5:33AM? Dedicated are we?
When did I ever say that religion had nothing to do with it passing? It probably did. Get YOUR facts straight.
And that’s another thing. I might disagree with someone, but that does not mean I think they are “wrong” or “right”. I don’t presume to be all-knowing. “Get your facts straight just like your orientation”. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why Prop 8 passed, because of people like you basically calling people inferior. Its a vicious cycle, isn’t it? Have fun with that, although I don’t think you will.
john w.
Monday, 24th November 2008 at 9:32 PM
I love reading the comments all those that wished so deeply against an Obama victory, clinging to whatever thay can to resist the powerful outcome. I’m glad I’m on the winning side, and those who supported the filthy disease Palin can rot in hell. Ha ha ha ha ha!!! A ha ha aha ha ha ha!!!
john w.
Monday, 24th November 2008 at 9:33 PM
You wished against Obama, and you lost. Sweetness indescribable… believe me.
john w.
Monday, 24th November 2008 at 9:34 PM
The margin of victory of Obama, who by far most wanted, over McCain who by far most didn’t, tells the story of America.
john w.
Monday, 24th November 2008 at 9:36 PM
Obama kicked the fucking shit out of McShit, his brainless stooge, and all of the bitter PUMAs who are eating dirt right now. Ha ha ha ha ha!!! A ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!
john w.
Monday, 24th November 2008 at 9:36 PM
ha ha ha ha!!! A ha ha ha ha!!!!
john w.
Monday, 24th November 2008 at 9:37 PM
Obama fucked up McCain. It truly, truly rules.
john w.
Monday, 24th November 2008 at 9:41 PM
Hey stinky Turd, what do you think of Obama’s smashing, blowout, landslide victory over the sludge that was the opposition?
john w.
Monday, 24th November 2008 at 9:44 PM
flyover? Lawrence? CWEguy? Independent voter? Your opinion on future President Obama’s pummeling of McTurd?
GuidedOne
Monday, 24th November 2008 at 11:41 PM
John W.
You call 54 percent a landslide? Pathetic. Can you please show more class than Turd? Probably too late now though. Let us just hope/pray he does a good job now that he is OUR President.
The biggest issue is probably this: Marriage is a religious word as much as it is a legal term.
I am Christian, and view homosexual activity as sin. Welcome, I am a sinner also. My God calls me to give His love to everyone, even those with whom I disagree.
Turd Ferguson
Tuesday, 25th November 2008 at 2:12 PM
John, are you having a panic attack? I mean, really? Should I change my screen name, you obviously are having a wig-out moment over it
Dude, maybe I should explain, even though you certainly don’t deserve an explanation. I would have never voted for McCain. I felt he was the same as Bush, whom I rarely, if ever, agree with. However, I also felt the same of Obama. I feel that if you get to that level of power, there is very little chance of not having your morals (not saying he ever had any) compromised, and forgive the religious reference, selling your soul. I also felt his support of the bailout(s) killed any support I might have given him.
I hope this calms you down. I would hate to see you in real life.
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