Proposition 8 Passes In California

Just when you've almost totally given up on California.....

On a day when Californians overwhelmingly voted for Barack Obama, California voters approved an amendment to their constitution banning same sex marriage, overturning the California Supreme Court decision that gave gay couples the right to wed just a few months ago.

Wow! It was really good to see California stand up for traditional marriage.

The battle over Proposition 8 was one of the most intense battles over a ballot initiative in American history. The "Yes on (Proposition) 8" campaign had raised over 35 million dollars and had sent out about 100,000 volunteers all over the state of California.

The "No on 8" faction had raised over 38 million dollars and had about 10,000 volunteers.

Campaign donations for this grueling fight came in from all across the United States, with Christians and Mormons donating for the constitutional amendment, and gay rights activists and Hollywood stars such as Ellen DeGeneres and Brad Pitt donating to oppose it.

Chip White, the co-campaign manager for the "Yes on (Proposition) 8" campaign had this to say about the results: "Momentum continues to be on our side as California recognizes the serious consequences if gay marriage remains legal."

Florida and Arizona also voted to ban gay marriage, joining dozens of other states that define marriage as being exclusively between one man and one woman. In both Florida and Arizona, there were laws that already defined marriage as a heterosexual institution, but supporters pushed to amend the state constitutions, claiming that doing so would protect marriage from any future legal challenges.

So it ended up being a really great day for the defenders of traditional marriage.

However, it is important to note that the California vote against gay marriage was not as strong as it was eight years ago.

Eight years ago, Californians voted 61% to define marriage as being between one man and one woman. So, Tuesday's vote was substantially weaker.

But Proposition 8 still passed, and that is definitely something to be thankful for.