Columbus, U.S. cities protest Prop 8

Catrina Otonoga/The Lantern Two men protest the passage of Proposition 8 outside City Hall Saturday. The measure outlaws gay marriage in California. While most Columbusites were snug in their homes as the first signs of winter began to show Saturday, hundreds of gay rights protesters gathered on the steps and sidewalk of Columbus City Hall to join in a nationwide protest against the passage of Proposition 8 in California.

The ballot measure amended the California constitution to restrict the definition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman. The passage of the amendment came as a blow to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, because only months ago California became one of three states to allow same-sex marriage.

The nationwide protest was organized by JointheImpact.com, an online community and movement that "seeks to encourage the LGBTQ community not to look toward the past and place blame, but instead to look forward toward what needs to be done now to achieve one goal: Full equality for all," according to the organization's Web site.

"I felt like it was more than just a gay issue," said Adam Clevenger, a junior in psychology and sociology, who found out about the protest through Facebook. "It's an issue about peoples' civil rights being taken away, rights that have been deemed constitutional. It's scary for everyone."

The protest was primarily organized online, and took place in 300 cities across the country, including Cleveland and Cincinnati.

Holding a sign that read, "Christians against hate," Marjorie Grafton, a junior in psychology, demonstrated her support for the GLBT community. "Proposition 8 passed because of large support from the religious community, but not all religious people feel that way," Grafton said. "As a Christian, I feel like I should be against all types of hate."

Protesters chanted "Love, not hate" and "Equal rights, now" into the chilly air.

"I've never been to a protest, so I didn't know what to expect," Clevenger said. "It's exciting to so many people. It's encouraging to see so many straight people, family members and kids here, too."

In the most expensive campaign on any state ballot, Proposition 8 passed with support from 52.2 percent of voters.

Catrina Otonoga/The Lantern Protestors lined Broad Street outside City Hall. Protestors gathered in more than 300 cities across the country.

Catrina Otonoga can be reached at otonoga.1@osu.edu.