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Obama-Driven Minority Turnout Fueled Marriage Ban

Latino, black supporters helped conservative Calif. proposition pass

By Ambreen Ali,  Newser User

Posted Nov 11, 2008 3:36 PM CST
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(Newser) – Barack Obama's popularity among California's minorities helped pass the state's conservative-backed gay marriage ban, Dan Walters writes in the Sacramento Bee. Blacks and Latinos—94% of whom voted for Obama—turned out in record numbers, and the majority of them supported the ban. The proposition would probably have failed with a more traditional, and more white, makeup of state voters.

The irony revealed by exit poll analysis has left some gay-rights leaders bitter. Proposition 8, supported by 70% of African Americans and 53% of Latinos, denies homosexuals the right to marry. This year, 10% of California's voters were black and 18% Latino, percentages that are traditionally 7% and 13% respectively. The extra half-million votes parallel the margin by which the measure won.

A protester writes tax this cult in chalk on the street in front of the Los Angeles Mormon Temple as hundreds demonstrated against the Church's support of Proposition 8.
A protester writes "tax this cult" in chalk on the street in front of the Los Angeles Mormon Temple as hundreds demonstrated against the Church's support of Proposition 8.   (AP Photo)
Protestors during the No on Prop 8 march and rally in front of a Mormon Church in Los Angeles last week.
Protestors during the "No on Prop 8" march and rally in front of a Mormon Church in Los Angeles last week.   (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Opponents of Prop 8 gather at a protest last week.
Opponents of Prop 8 gather at a protest last week.   (AP Photo)
Los Angeles police officers in riot gear stand guard on the grounds of the Los Angeles Mormon Temple while protesters stood atop the wall as hundreds demonstrated.
Los Angeles police officers in riot gear stand guard on the grounds of the Los Angeles Mormon Temple while protesters stood atop the wall as hundreds demonstrated.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Shannonals
Nov 11, 2008 5:54 AM CST
The very fact that you would state you would undermine minorities reflects you have racial issues. Sexual preferences and racial prejudices are not remotely the same. Regardless of your sexual preferences you will never, ever understand racial prejudices. I wouold go out on a limb and state that the majority of Black and Hispanic voters are religious, meaning that when they were expected to arrive at the polls, the people who pushed for the proposition were expecting their votes. Sexual prejudice does not have a skin color, so your very statements are offensive. Do you think they are no Blacks and Hispanics who are homosexuals?
LiberalJesus
Nov 11, 2008 4:42 AM CST
This is very sad if it is indeed true. You would think that blacks and hispanics know first hand the feeling of prejudice and would have been more willing to protect others from prejudice. I dont think I'll ever stick my neck out again for blacks and hispanics and might in fact work to undermine their "place" at the table seeing how they are not willing to let everyone else sitdown.

Californians protest church that supported ban
Associated Press

10,000 protest proposition's passage
Associated Press

 
California • gay marriage • Latino voters • marriage • conservative • African-American voters • minority vote • black voters • Proposition 8

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