The DoFollow Network

In 2008, the controversial Proposition 8 made it onto one of the most widely known ballots in the history of this country. This ballot, which promised progress and change, and may have helped to gain support for the election of President Barack Obama, deemed marriage between two members of the same sex illegal. This regression towards more traditional methods has been loved and hated by Californians for the past two years. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego politics have changed a great deal over the past two years, and activists have been working to repeal that fated decision.

Prop 8 created quite a stir when it was passed in 2008 for a multitude of reasons. Many residents were confused because they assumed that it was a good thing for same-sex couples. The California constitution, before November 5, 2008, did not deem homosexual marriage illegal. Proposition 8, also known as an antigay marriage proposal, did not affect civil unions, nor negate marriages that took place before the proposition was passed. It included the statement, "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

To qualify for the ballot in 2008, the Proposition needed 694,354 petition signatures, which was 8% of the total votes cast for governor in the 2006 election. It got over a million signature votes, and qualified for the ballot by June 2nd. In July, the Supreme Court denied a petition calling for the removal of the ballot, and on November 4th, Proposition 8 was passed.

Many residents who support same-sex marriage voted for Prop 8, thinking that it would instill complete marriage equality for homosexuals and heterosexuals. The difference between for and against votes was about 5%, and studies have shown an increase in support for same-sex marriage in California since then, which is what motivated the movement for repeal.

This year, the supporters were given the opportunity to put the option, “repeal proposition 8” on the ballot in November. However, they did not succeed. Los Angeles-based activist group, Love Honor Cherish, fronted the all-volunteer effort this year. Using the knowledge that many people voted for the proposition accidentally, they embarked upon a journey to acquire 694,354 signatures on their petition to include the repeal of Prop 8 option on the 2010 general election ballot.

"Regrettably, Prop 8 will remain as a stain on our constitution until at least 2012, and perhaps later," said Henning, the head of Love Honor Cherish. There were over forty groups dispersed throughout California, all of them completely headed by volunteers, and condoned by many small San Diego businesses, attempting to educate the public. They hit the streets, libraries, grocery stores, and malls in an effort to teach voters what Proposition 8 was, and what was at stake for many citizens of the Golden State.

The effort for repeal was largely Internet-based. Though they did not take advantage of viral marketing techniques as the Obama campaign did, they supplied petition forms for people to download and print, as well as training videos for ways to approach voters and gain signatures. In the coming years, we can expect to see them utilizing many of the marketing efforts of the latest presidential campaign as a way to get the word out, and gather support.

Based on California State Law requirements, 694, 354 signatures were required by Monday, April 12, 2010, for the option to be available to the voting public this fall. This number was the same as that which was required to put the Proposition on the ballot back in 2008. Love Honor Cherish began realizing sometime last week that they were not going to make it to their goal this time around, but they have not given up hope. None of the organizations have released the number of signatures they did get, but they are planning an even stronger effort for 2012.

If they hope to succeed in the next general election, it will take more than 40 volunteer organizations to make a difference. Though it seems many Californians support gay marriage, without education, energized activism, and big-name supporters, 2012 may be just as big of a disappointment for the opponents of the “antigay marriage” Proposition 8 as 2008 was. Find out more about Prop 8 by checking out local California news sources for updates.