2 Steps Back: Cali Bans Gay Marriage

On a day when many are justly celebrating the big step forward that is the election of our first black president, the State of California has thrown progress for gay rights into reverse. From Mercury News:

...this morning, with 95 percent of precincts reporting, the measure passed with 52 percent in favor, and 47.9 percent opposed. There are an untold number of absentee and provisional ballots left to be counted, according to the Associated Press, but it will be hard to overcome the 5 percent margin.

The San Francisco City Attorney's office says he plans to file the legal challenge in the California Supreme Court to challenge the validity of the measure. Also, the first lesbian couple to be married in Los Angeles County after the Supreme Court threw out the gay marriage ban plans to announce a lawsuit arguing that the proposition is unconstitutional.

To me, this result shows a woeful self-centeredness. Barack Obama won California by 24 points, and it is extremely difficult for me to envision so many Obama voters casting their lot for Proposition 8.

Gay issues were largely ignored in this election, as the candidates focused on voters' overwhelming concern about the economy. One silver lining of this push in California may be increased awareness and pressure on the Democratic establishment to make good on its promise of equality for all Americans.

Tommy Christopher co-hosts "Unusable Signal",on BlogTalkRadio, Tues through Thurs at 10pm, and Fri, and Sat at 11pm. (Eastern) Click here for the Unusable Signal homepage.