check it outtttttt - school newspaper mention!

More than 150 attend Proposition 8 protest

November 15, 2008 by Jill Laster

Barbara Cox said she was thrilled to have her union with her partner recognized by California after being together 18 years.

When a California state ballot proposition amending the state Constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman was passed, however, she felt robbed.

“To wake up Wednesday morning (Nov. 5) and find out our marriage was no longer valid was devastating,” said Cox, a San Diego resident visiting family in Lexington.

Cox was one of more than 150 people to participate in a protest in front of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Center Saturday. On Saturday, protestors held signs and chanted in opposition to Proposition 8. Proposition 8, approved by voters Nov. 4, overrode a May decision by the California Supreme Court recognizing the legality of same-sex marriage.

The protest in Lexington, along with those across the country, made Cox feel that someday her union will be recognized, she said.

“The change is going to take a long time, but this kind of stuff feels wonderful,” Cox said. “We felt so much loss, but to see so much support against discrimination gives me hope again.”

Chris Stapel, a UK graduate student who helped organize the Lexington event, said Saturday’s protest was a grassroots effort that gained support through social networking Web sites such as Facebook.

Holding a sign and cheering when drivers of passing cars honked their horns, Stapel said Proposition 8 motivated people across the country to stand up for the rights of gay people.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Stapel said. “It’s just a testament to people all over Lexington.”

Members of UK’s Gay-Straight Alliance, as well as members of EKU’s and Transylvania’s student pride organizations, participated in Saturday’s protest. Sarah Caragianis, president of the UK GSA, said being straight did not stop her from joining in.

“We’re all equal, and I think it’s just as important for everyone to see and understand and fight against injustice,” she said. “The civil rights movement wasn’t just black people. We’re all in this together.”

After about 45 minutes in front of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Center, protestors walked down the street to Phoenix Park, in front of the Lexington Public Library downtown. In Phoenix Park, several people stood up to address the crowd.

Melissa Gross, an arts administration and viola performance sophomore, encouraged those listening to her speak to put pressure on the government to recognize the right of all citizens to marry.

“Let us stand up for what we believe in, for what we know is ours,” Gross said. “Love cannot be bound to statues and limited by government regulations. We are united for a common purpose. We are united for marriage equality. We are united for love.”

http://kykernel.com/2008/11/15/more-than-150-attend-proposition-8-protest/#more-8204