Grassroots same-sex marriage effort takes flight

A grassroots campaign to overturn Proposition 8 kicked off Tuesday before the Porterville City Council.

A dozen speakers took turns addressing council members on topics ranging from the council’s resolution last year in support of the ballot measure, the potential psychological effects of banning same-sex marriage, and the real-life ramifications of fighting for a right others possess.

The theme, however, was consistent.

“We have no intention of leaving,” Jaime Garza said.

Garza, of Porterville, was one of those who entered a same-sex marriage last summer after the state supreme court ruled in May 2008 that barring same-sex unions was unconstitutional. She’s still legally married after last week’s state supreme court ruling upholding the validity of Proposition 8, but also ruling that marriages in effect before the proposition’s passage remain valid.

Proposition 8, passed in November, added language to the state constitution defining marriage in California as being between a man and a woman. It passed with 52 percent of the vote.

Garza described for council members the abuse she said she and others have withstood in fighting for — and defending — their right to marry the person they love, regardless of sexual orientation. She said those experiences include verbal and physical assaults.

“It’s hurtful the things we have been through,” she said.

Barry Caplan of Porterville said Proposition 8 divides people into three groups: Those who are free to marry those they love, those who are not free to do so, and those who have done so but will not be able to do so again should their current marriage end for some reason.

Caplan and others said the City Council, in passing a resolution in support of Proposition 8, helped establish the three-tiered level of marriage rights and in doing so, divided the community they were elected to serve.

“We ought to have just one class,” Caplan said.

Ann Marie Wagstaff, a 55-year-old Porterville resident who said she proclaimed her lesbian status at the age of 16, said “it’s time, even past time” for the community to engage in a dialogue about individual rights.

“A majority of citizens in Tulare County voted to discriminate against me,” she said. “I’m here to give notice that second-class status is not acceptable to me.”

Caplan said Tuesday’s action is just the beginning.

“There’s more to come,” he said, “but this is where it starts.”

Garza agreed.

“We have built a grassroots effort that continues to grow,” she said, “and it started right here in Porterville with three people.”

Councilman Felipe Martinez later commended those who took the time to address the council.

“That’s what America is all about,” he said.

-- Contact Glen Faison at 784-5000, Ext. 1040, or gfaison@portervillerecorder.com.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This version corrects the spelling of Barry Caplan's last name.