Published: November 14, 2008 04:32 pm         

Students plan Prop 8 protest

Hundreds of protesters from across the state are expected to gather in Stillwater in opposition of California Proposition 8.

California Proposition 8, which will make only heterosexual marriages validated in the state, passed in California on Nov. 11 despite the state’s previous Supreme Court ruling same sex couples equal rights in marriage.

“We feel that Proposition 8 has stripped away rights of a minority,” said Matt Gardner, Oklahoma State University student involved in the Sexual Orientation Diversity Association. “We have prejudice of a majority overruling the rights of a minority.”

Many Oklahomans are expected to participate in the peaceful demonstration and join other protests occurring nationwide Saturday.

“I don’t think that we’re expecting to get any direct results,” said Scott Ottinger, SODA’s public relations chairman. “Just to increase our visibility and let others know that (Proposition 8) is something we aren’t happy about.”

Gardner said the proposition is affecting some of his friends who live in California.

“I feel like Proposition 8 is a setback for gay rights and gay people in general,” he said.

The protest will begin at noon near Sixth and Husband. Oklahoma City and Tulsa also are hosting similar protests Saturday, according to Join the Impact, the organization hosting the nationwide protest.

Every state and nine other countries, amounting to more than 250,000 people, also will show support with protests, according to a press release.

Carol Mason, director of gender and women’s studies at OSU, said she knew of some professors who were planning to attend to support the students.

Ottinger said a peaceful demonstration is important to furthering their cause to getting more rights for homosexuals.

“It’s important for us to increase our visibility and show others how much we’re against this, show others that we’re normal beings and being treated like second class citizens,” he said.

     

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