Same-sex marriage backers hit Capitol, churches Pride and protest: Same-sex-marriage backers demand justice outside Capitol, churches

The backlash against the state's new ban on gay and lesbian marriage intensified over the weekend, with thousands of people gathering around the Bay Area and California during mostly peaceful protests.

Supporters of same-sex marriage questioned whether they had done enough before Tuesday's vote on Proposition 8 and expressed hope that it would be tossed out by the state Supreme Court. They also promised to take the issue back to the ballot.

About 2,500 people gathered on the Capitol steps Sunday afternoon after a noisy, three-hour rally against the marriage ban. About 400 assembled outside Oakland's Mormon Temple, forcing Highway Patrol officers to temporarily close two Highway 13 ramps to protect the marchers.

"I didn't see it coming," said Joe West, who traveled from San Francisco for the Sacramento demonstration. "It was like a punch in the gut. We worked so hard to bring change in this election, and then this happens."

"If I'd known if was going to be so close, I would have made more phone calls," added Brendan Bishop of Sacramento.

John Havens of Walnut Creek stood with other protesters gathered outside the Oakland Mormon Temple to protest the passage of Proposition 8 on Sunday, November 9, 2008 in Oakland, Calif. John Havens of Walnut Creek stood with other protesters gathered outside the Oakland Mormon Temple to protest the passage of Proposition 8 on Sunday, November 9, 2008 in Oakland, Calif. Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 25 Caption Close Same-sex marriage backers hit Capitol, churches 1 / 25 Back to Gallery

The weekend of protests started Friday evening in San Francisco when about 1,000 people gathered, some clogging rush-hour traffic. The state's largest event was held in San Diego with about 10,000 protesters Saturday. On Sunday, hundreds gathered outside Saddleback Church in Lake Forest (Orange County), an evangelical megachurch that had pushed for the ban, which was approved by 52 percent of voters.

Covering state Capitol steps

At the Sacramento protest, the crowd covered the Capitol steps and spilled into the surrounding park. Dozens of rainbow gay pride banners waved, along with hundreds of the blue and white "Vote No on Prop. 8" signs left over from the campaign.

There were hundreds more homemade signs, broadcasting the feelings of those left shocked and disappointed by the election results. "Hatred is Not a Family Value," one said. "Love Will Prevail," another added. "I'm Embarrassed to be a Californian," a third read.

Opponents of the same-sex marriage ban have filed a challenge to the new constitutional amendment with the California Supreme Court, arguing that the rights guaranteed by the court in a May decision overturning a 2000 same-sex marriage ban can't be overturned by a simple ballot measure.

Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, an opponent of Prop. 8, expressed support for the court challenge on CNN's "Late Edition" Sunday, calling the measure's passage "unfortunate."

"But it is not the end because I think this will go back into the courts," the governor said. "It's the same as in the 1948 (California) case when blacks and whites were not allowed to marry. This falls into the same category."

Supporters of Prop. 8 argue that the legal challenge is little more than a desperate attempt to overturn the will of California voters.

It's more than that, said Dennis Mangers, a former Orange County legislator who will take over next month as chief of staff to state Sen. Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento.

"It's very clear we're not going to take no for an answer," said Mangers, who married his longtime partner this year. "If necessary, we'll go back to the ballot ... and give the voters of California another chance."

In Oakland, the loud and peaceful protest outside the Mormon Temple included dozens of gay and lesbian couples whose marriages are in limbo. They said they wanted to openly display their anguish to people who pushed to ban same-sex marriage.

Inside the gates of the huge temple, church officials asked protesters to accept the will of the voters. But the anger over Prop. 8 only seems to be growing.

"I don't think people thought it was going to pass," said Carrie Blanche, 52, an Alameda schoolteacher who got married Oct. 29.

Blanche and others said they were focusing anger on the church because of its endorsement of Prop. 8 and the subsequent rush of campaign donations by members.

Some of those who gathered advocated for a boycott of travel to Utah, the home of the Mormon church, and of Mormon-owned businesses.

Mormons feel singled out

Tim DeBenedictis, a protest organizer from San Francisco, said the actions were warranted, even though he noted that some Mormons support same-sex marriage and not all Utah residents are church members. "To affect large social change, you have to make difficult decisions," he said.

A spokesman for the church, which moved some of its services to other locations Sunday because of the protest, said Mormons have been unfairly singled out.

"We don't normally get involved in anything political," said Don Eaton, who directs public affairs for the church in most of the Bay Area. "However, on certain things that are considered moral issues, we do get involved."

Eaton said calls for boycotts amounted to discrimination and doubted such a strategy would be tolerated if it was aimed at another major religion. "We're an easy target," he said.