On November 4 Americans watched Barack Obama become elected the first African American president in US history. Gays and lesbians have reason to celebrate, as Obama's policies are more friendly to gays than John McCain. In his victory speech, the Illinois senator mentioned gays and lesbians and his belief that US citizens should look after themselves and each other.
However, gays and lesbians weren't quite so lucky with anti-gay initiatives in four states. Act one prevents any unmarried couple, gay or straight, from becoming an adoptive or foster parent. Proposition 102 was passed in Arizona stating that "Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state." Amendment 2 was passed in Florida, which makes marriage only legal between one man and one woman, and in heartbreaking news for California’s LGBT activists, Gay-rights advocates vowed to press on for same-sex marriages after California voters dealt them a stunning setback by approving a ban on such unions.
The constitutional amendment will limit marriage to heterosexual couples, the first time such a vote has taken place in a state where gay unions are legal.
It overturns a recent state Supreme Court decision that gave gay couples the right to wed just months ago.
"We pick ourselves up and trudge on," Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, said early Wednesday when it appeared Proposition 8 was headed for passage. "There has been enormous movement in favor of full equality in eight short years. That is the direction this is heading, and if it's not today or it's not tomorrow, it will be soon."
Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images
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