By Audrey Wong
The Public Press
 |
| Associate Pastor Chauncey Killens argues with demonstrators / Michael Strickland |
Opponents and proponents of Proposition 8, the same-sex marriage ban, gathered at Civic Center early Thursday as California Supreme Court Justices heard arguments about overturning the law.
Inside the courtroom, attorneys argued whether the proposition violates separation of church and state, and whether the law is a constitutional amendment or revision. Justices and counsel also talked about the validity of 18,000 marriages performed before voters approved Proposition 8 in November.
Those who couldn’t get a seat inside the courtroom watched the proceedings on a big screen in front of City Hall. Along McAllister Street, demonstrators congregated in front of the courthouse, trying to drown each other out with their pro and con arguments.
The crowd of about 2,000 people fell short of the 6,000 CHP officials expected.
“Everybody was very cooperative,” California Highway Patrol Lt. Jonathan Mobley said. “Both sides were heard.”
Rebecca Zauderer, 17, skipped classes at Sir Francis Drake High School in San Anselmo to attend with her friends. She said she wanted to stand up for her gay friends.
“I want them to be able to marry when they get older,” said Rebecca, who quickly became frustrated after debating with Chauncey Killens – an associate pastor from Salinas – about race, religion and gay marriage.
Killens, holding a sign that read, “Gay’s (sic) won’t publicly debate me. Why?” soon had a crowd of people around him also wanting to join the debate. Killens argued that gay marriage wasn’t about civil rights and would open the door for polygamy, incest and other offensive acts.
Karoline Atamanyuk, 15, of Sacramento County, said Christians, Catholics, Mormons and other faiths in her area were uniting to keep Proposition 8 in effect. The teen said she joined others from the Sacramento area for the hearing.
Her antagonists “started cussing us out, telling us we’re the hateful ones. Some were very peaceful,” Karoline said. “I don’t want to judge anyone.”
San Franciscan Sue Cannon argued with Sacramento resident Igor Balbasov who held a banner touting “traditional marriage.” Cannon, a Mormon in support of gay marriage, asked Balbasov about the golden rule.
“Would I like it if my right to marry was taken away?” she asked. As Balbasov and his companions cried “Yes on 8,” Cannon stood in front of them and interjected, “No!”
Natalie Mitchell and Sara Hudson who came down from the Sacramento area said that although the crowd got unruly at times, they have seen more violent protests closer to home.
“It’s great to come here and see cooperation and respect,” Mitchell said.
On Nov. 4, Proposition 8 passed with a 52 percent majority. The ballot measure — which banned same-sex marriages in California — was hotly debated throughout the campaign. Gay couples felt vindicated by the declaration May 15 by the state’s Supreme Court that a California law defining marriage as being between a man and a woman violated California’s Constitution, but they are once again fighting for the right to marry. Now, thousands of couples who wed last summer and fall are wondering if their unions will remain valid.
In November, California Attorney General Jerry Brown urged the state Supreme Court to decide the constitutionality of Proposition 8. Four lawsuits filed Nov. 5 argued that a state constitutional amendment violates some provisions of the California Constitution if it removes rights from groups that historically have been persecuted, and removes the power judges have to protect them.
The justices have 90 days to rule on the issue.
Michelle Fitzhugh-Craig contributed to this story. Photos by Michael Strickland.
