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West Hollywood Rallies To Celebrate Overturn Of Prop 8

Sara Newman |
June 26, 2013 | 11:24 p.m. PDT

News Editor

On June 26, history was made: federal marriage benefits were extended to same-sex couples and California became the 13th state where same-sex marriage is legal. So logically, West Hollywood decided to celebrate. 

Men and women of all ages and ethnicities assembled to rejoice in the historic extension of civil rights and recognize the incredible efforts of attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies and plaintiffs Kris Perry & Sandy Stier and Paul Katami & Jeff Zarrillo. 

“I didn’t realize how visceral it would be,” said Widren Wasada. "It’s an indescribable feeling when it happens for your own community. And it’s an equally amazing feeling you have when our straight allies understand what an important cause it is even though it doesn’t directly affect them."

At the event put on by the American Foundation for Equal Rights, people waved flags and banners reading, “Today we are more American.” 

This rally was a celebration of LGBT rights and a revival of American patriotism for people who have long felt alienated by their own country. 

“This is an amazing experience today,” said Mark Cramer, a West Hollywood resident. “But our elders have been fighting so hard and for so long that this is a good reminder that our generation and the generation below us keeps going until it’s all the way there.”

At 5:30 p.m., hundreds rallied at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and San Vicente Boulevard—the very same intersection where people gathered four and a half years ago when Prop 8 was passed.

“There is a similar level of emotion today, but it’s a different kind," said Brody Brown, a West Hollywood resident. "Back then people were angry and scared, but now people are invigorated and excited and celebratory.”

“Milk” screenwriter and LGBT Activist, Dustin Black opened the rally, calling for remembrance of the many people who have dedicated their lives to the expansion of LGBT rights—especially for those who are not alive to reap the rewards of their sacrifices. 

"Harvey Milk once said we can no longer be satisfied with crumbs," quoted Black. "It’s time that this community stop asking for crumbs and demand the real thing. Because they may find that they could actually get it. And we have today!"

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the so-called “Equality Mayor,” and West Hollywood Mayor, Abbe Land, also addressed the jubilant crowd and paid homage to the many city officials who have diligently fought for LGBT rights.

"Today marks an historic day for civil rights, an historic day for the Constitution of America, an historic day for love and an historic day for the LGBT community," Villaraigosa said. "This morning equality triumphed. Proposition 8 is gone and done!"

Yet, even with the two tremendous victories today, Chad Griffin reminded the audience that the fight is not over. 

“We cannot forget the urgency—or even the anger—that we felt when Prop 8 passed,” he urged. “Tonight we have to set another goal: to bring marriage equality to all 50 states within the next five years.”

Brown shares Graffin’s dedication to keep waging the war on discrimination. 

“We have to keep reminding each other to keep the energy up because the battle is far from over,” he said. “In California we need to make sure that we are protecting queer people, but then we need to move on to other states where it’s split. We need to keep making sure that public opinion is going in our favor."

When today’s heros were introduced, Attorney Ted Olson explained, “The best argument we could make was just to let the people listen to Kris Perry & Sandy Stier and Paul Katami & Jeff Zarrillo.”

After his cross-examination, even David Blankenhorn, one of the two witnesses testifying in support of Prop 8, shifted his perspective. Even as a longtime opponent of same-sex marriage, Blankenhorn said that this country would be more American and more true to its ideals with gay marriage in place. 

Yet, this type of radical shift in perspective is still a rare victory for LGBT advocates.  

“Of course I think that extending gay marriage throughout the country would be the right thing to do, because I believe that if two people want to be married, they should have equal benefit,” said Amy Patol, who drove from Torrance to West Hollywood to attend the rally. “But I don’t think that’s going to happen soon. It’s going to be faster now, like a domino effect, but it certainly isn’t all going to happen the next year or two.”

Despite today’s major advancements for marriage equality and human rights, it will take time for the American public to fully accept the changes. 

According to Wasada, “the recent stabbing of a transgender woman is a very real reminder that there’s still a problem with prejudice. You think of L.A. as a hub of liberalism, but Los Angeles County voted for Prop 8. There is homophobia, transphobia and queerphobia that is still very much alive and problematic today. It just keeps us fighting.”

Contact News Editor Sara Newman here and follow her on Twitter.



 

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