"Gay, straight, black or white, marriage is a civil right."
The chant echoed through downtown Grand Forks from demonstrators protesting the passage of California's Proposition 8, a referendum banning same-sex marriage. The protest was part of a nationwide event in 300 cities, according to jointheimpact.com.
The demonstration Saturday was one of many held around the country in reaction to constitutional amendments in California, Arizona and Florida to prohibit same-sex marriage.
In Minneapolis, a University of Minnesota student from Wisconsin was among about 700 people who turned out to support gay marriage.
Kendra Atkins from Eau Claire, Wis., prepared a banner for the Minneapolis gathering with the words, "Legalize Love."
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She told The Associated Press that it's sad gay marriage is an issue at all. She said love is something everyone experiences in their own way, and it's unfortunate some think there's a right way and wrong way to love.
The protests came after the vote in California of Proposition 8, defining marriage as between a man and woman.
"We're here to promote equality," said Bo Chung, president of UND's Ten Percent Society. "We had as many as 90 in our group today at one point."
The activists began about 12:30 p.m. at Grand Forks City Hall before marching to Town Square at about 2 p.m. under cloudy skies and temperatures nipping at the upper 20s. About 40 demonstrators held signs reading "Don't protect my marriage," "No more Mrs. Nice Gay," "Love knows no gender," and "Hate is easy; love takes courage."
Many passing motorists on DeMers Avenue honked horns while others offered derogatory gestures at the demonstration, which lasted until about 3 p.m. A similar demonstration was held in Fargo. "It's been very peaceful," said Josh Boschee, who helped organize the Fargo protest.
The California Supreme Court ruled this spring that same-sex marriage is legal, but voters last week approved Proposition 8. Gay rights groups said they may ask California voters to overturn the ban if legal challenges to Proposition 8 aren't successful. "Arizona, Arkansas and Florida had similar proposals that passed," Chung said.
All 30 states that have voted on gay marriage have enacted bans. North Dakota's was overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2004.
A lower court ruling Wednesday allowed Connecticut to join Massachusetts as the only states permitting gay marriage.
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tates permitting gay marriage.
Reach Johnson at (701) 780-1262; (800) 477-6572, ext. 262; or send e-mail to jjohnson2@gfherald.com .
