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August 28, 2008

Gay Youths Canvass Phoenix Against Prop. 102

A team of six gay and lesbian young adults trekked across Phoenix through blazing heat to raise awareness about Arizona's upcoming ballot initiative to constitutionally define marriage as between a man and a woman, aimed at banning same-sex marriage in the state. Temperatures during the week-long, 96-mile pilgrimage averaged 105 degrees.

The "equality walkers," organized by Soulforce Q member Meg Sneed, spoke with people they met about Arizona's Proposition 102 and its negative impact on young people. The youths also visited several churches along the way, including the Unitarian Universalist Church and Church of the Beatitudes.

Opponents like Sneed point out that state law already prohibits same-sex marriage and that Arizona voters defeated similar legislation in 2006.

"I realize now just how much difference I can make in my community," walker C.J. Minott said in a statement. (The Advocate)

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

  • Name: Jarod
    Date posted: 2009-02-27 12:38 PM
    Hometown: Phoenix

    Comment:

    What people don't get is that they aren't trying to "cram their beliefs down everyone else's throat." They aren't asking for any special benefits. They are simply asking for EQUALITY. On the contrary, Heterosexuals are actually cramming THEIR beliefs down other people's throats. But that is not entirely accurate. No, RELIGION is cramming their beliefs down the throats of all. Who decides what is "natural" or "normal"? religions. I am neither religious or homosexual but I believe in your cause. Even though the bill passed keep striving for equality!


  • Name: master
    Date posted: 2008-10-29 11:47 PM
    Hometown: az

    Comment:

    If it does pass we'll just have to throw are dictionaries out. We don't listen to the bible why should listen to the dictionary if it gives false information. This is being pessimistic.


  • Name: David
    Date posted: 2008-10-21 12:52 PM
    Hometown: L.A.

    Comment:

    I find it very peculiar and sickening that the same religionists who molest alter boys, consummate polygamous marriages with under age girls and commit other such despicable crimes will spend money to corrupt a state's constitution in order to cram their "beliefs" down everyones' throats and bash consenting ADULTS. Not only that but they are supporting communism by buying their 'yes on 8' signs from Red China. They are totally Un-American.


  • Name: Tanika
    Date posted: 2008-10-11 11:52 AM
    Hometown: Phoenix

    Comment:

    No matter what anyone's view, NOT A SINGLE PERSON can change my love for my partner... Go Meg and thank you for taking the time to educate.


  • Name: Jonny
    Date posted: 2008-10-07 1:20 PM
    Hometown: Tucson

    Comment:

    Besides its not like people cant decide who they fall in love with. We cant keep people from being in love wether its the same sex or not...thats IMPOSSIBLE. Leave the gays and lesbians alone...you people should be a shamed of yourselves to stoop so low to stop people from loving who they love, or being who they are. They have a RIGHT to be happy, and be happy with the person they love. I cant belive how many of you people are so selfish because you think everyone should be the same.


  • Name: Obey
    Date posted: 2008-10-07 1:19 PM
    Hometown: Az

    Comment:

    All I have to say is that you, my friend, are very closed minded...You do know that this is America right, the "freedome country"? All the People that are are gay have every right to get married and date; You have no right to judge people for there diffrences. Trust me on this, even if you try to bane it here you can never stop them from going somewere diffrent to be married and happy.


  • Name: Jonny
    Date posted: 2008-10-07 1:02 PM
    Hometown: Tucson

    Comment:

    Alot of these people are so mean. We have no right to keep people from being happy. If it makes them happy, let them. It isn't effecting anyones life. Just because you people think it is gross or ab-normal, THATS LIFE PEOPLE. Let them do whatever makes them happy.


  • Name: Stacey
    Date posted: 2008-09-29 1:15 AM
    Hometown: Tempe

    Comment:

    I seriously just don't understand how being gay and marrying someone of the same sex affects straight people. Whether it passes or not, what difference is it going to make on straight people? None! Seriously keep religon out of this. Its such a contradiction how people say, "God accepts everyone." Yet, "God says being gay is a sin." And Jen why don't you just shut up seriously. What affect does it have on you if gays get married? Your a close minded idiot who needs to realize were in the 21st century. Everything is changing, whether this bill is passed or not its not going to change peoples sexual prefernce. I am a proud lesbian and I always will be like I said, whether this bill is passed or not.


  • Name: Rei
    Date posted: 2008-09-25 4:44 PM
    Hometown: Phoenix

    Comment:

    If your husband died and you weren't allowed to get married to him because of the law, and even though he put you in his will his family took everything and you were left with nothing to remember him by, how would you feel? If you could just for a few minutes, put you self in our shoes you would understand. We're not "opposing" your views. Your opposing ours and strapping a law to it. If you just went into the light and looked at the big picture, maybe you could see that.


  • Name: Rei
    Date posted: 2008-09-25 4:43 PM
    Hometown: Phoenix

    Comment:

    So why is it so hard, when you say that you (and anyone else) have the right to say what you want and they have the same freedoms you have, to take a look at what America is and realize, even though you don't think it's right, that it's their right as HUMAN BEINGS to be able to lawfully get married. Marriage was before any for of the abraham faiths (if you don't know what that means it's all forms of christian religions.) Marriage is not something sacred. If it was divorces would have been gotten rid of by now. All the GLBT community wants are the rights to be able to do so. There are things that with marriage there are rights that gay couples who arn't married can't have.


  • Name: Rei
    Date posted: 2008-09-25 4:42 PM
    Hometown: Phoenix

    Comment:

    Now lets say that the role were switched. Lets say it was looked as normal and good for all gay and lesbian people to get married and it was looked as evil for straight couples to get married. What is you couldn't get married Jenny? What then huh? Jenny, if your rights to practice your religion were TRULY infringed I know that groups like the ACLU would be there to defend you. No matter what your views were there would be people there to defend you.


  • Name: Rei
    Date posted: 2008-09-25 4:40 PM
    Hometown: Phoenix

    Comment:

    Jenny, yes, you are entitled to your opinion. But hey, everyone is right? That's what you said right? Oh but yeah I'm forgetting, we're infringing your rights by just living isn't that right? I mean, America's not a free country right? I mean just look at our society that's been molded out by our great Republican Conservative ignorant leaders! Women can't vote, Black people have no rights, and if your not christian your killed! Isn't it just a wonderful place that ignorance lead us to? Jenny, let me make it clear and simple for you tiny brain to under stand. In America WE ARE FREE In America Women can vote In America Black people have rights In America you can practice Any Abraham religion to satanism to agnostic to atheist You know why? Because America is a country based on Freedom. Heard that word before right? Can you say it? Say it with me F-R-E-E-D-O-M.


  • Name: Dustin
    Date posted: 2008-09-24 2:57 PM
    Hometown: Seattle

    Comment:

    Jenny it is not for you to judge the homosexual lifestyle and to say that it is wrong is only the opinion of a close-minded individual. It is for god to judge us not you, and whenever the homosexual lifestyle hurts you or proves to be detremential to society then let me know, until then get off your religious high horse and shove your opinions up your ass. It does not say in the bible that it is wrong it says its a sin, and sin can only be judged by the holy father, not his follower.


  • Name: NOT a BIGOT
    Date posted: 2008-09-22 11:27 PM
    Hometown: SEATTLE

    Comment:

    WOW cant wait to get out of this red close minded ignorant state and get back to sanity in a state that provides EQUAL rights you can keep az and john MCSAME


  • Name: MGM
    Date posted: 2008-09-22 9:17 PM
    Hometown: Phoenix

    Comment:

    Prop 102 is a proposed amendment to the Arizona constitution. It would define marriage as "the union of one man and one woman". Although there are existant laws on the books for Arizona that prohibit same-sex marriage, there is more to the story. In California, state judges have struck down similar prohibitions against same-sex marriage as unconstitutional. By making an amendment to the Arizona constitution, Arizona judges will have no such opportunity to legislate from the bench as the California judges have done.


  • Name: Amy
    Date posted: 2008-09-21 3:43 PM
    Hometown: Flagstaff

    Comment:

    Forget prop 102 and stand up against it. Marriage is about love and commitment. As I recall there is something in our constitution about the seperation of church and state..I am a lesbian and I will marry who ever I want. I'll go to canada, I'll go where ever it takes but you can't stop us. Wake and recognize an alternative life style. Prop 102 only motivates me to do what I can to support Gay marriage.


  • Name: Jenna
    Date posted: 2008-09-21 7:50 AM
    Hometown: Phoenix

    Comment:

    To Jenny, Obviously you do make people agree with your lifestyle if you say gay people are wrong & your lifestyle is right, you're just another uneducated religious freak with nothing better to do then to preach your psycho babble at people. Do you eat shellfish or pork? Do you wear clothing made of 2 different types of material? If you answered yes to any of those then LET THE STONING BEGIN!! Religion doesn't belong in the constitution. They're simply asking for EQUAL RIGHTS not SPECIAL RIGHTS. There is nothing sacred about marriage, its just another way for the government to make money. Marriage should be about LOVE and thats it! EDUCATE YOURSELF OR STFU!


  • Name: Bob
    Date posted: 2008-09-11 1:44 PM
    Hometown: Gilbert, AZ

    Comment:

    The reason 2006 voters voted down the amendment was because of the wording. It was confusing and it made it sound like if they voted for it, it would change the current law to support same sex unions. I know people who disagree with same sex unions that voted against the amendment because they didn't understand what it was saying. That's what happens when you get people changing wording to confuse the voters.


  • Name: Jenny R
    Date posted: 2008-09-09 2:19 AM
    Hometown: Phoenix

    Comment:

    Everyone is entitled to make their own choices and have their own lifestyle, however I don't MAKE you agree with my lifestyle so stop MAKING everyone else agree/accept yours. I have every right to think, feel and know that a homosexual lifestyle is WRONG. Marriage is a sacred covenant between a man and a women that has existed over the course of time. If you want to have a union between two same-sex partners, then go find another term for it. Do not reduce the sacredness and importance of marriage by trying to include something this IS wrong and has been considered wrong for generations of time. Only now in our PC world are we unable to stand up and say no to something that is wrong. Protecting the sacredness of marriage is a right, blessing and responsibility to uphold.


  • Name: anonymous
    Date posted: 2008-09-06 1:10 AM
    Hometown: Flagstaff

    Comment:

    To the very ignorant idiot who said to vote yes on 102 and we don't need anymore diseases; Get a life. I'm 37 years old and my partner of 10 years and I are raising our 4 year old adopted son with special needs. I would like all youth out there struggling with your identity to know that it is definitely possible if you are GLBT to have a happy life with a family of your own. Don't give up. You have a great deal of support. Don't listen to out of touch losers like this.


  • Name: Anonymous Anonymous
    Date posted: 2008-09-02 2:49 PM
    Hometown: tucson,AZ

    Comment:

    vote yes on prop 102. I think this is very bad we don’t need more diseases form gay people they suck. It disgusting we don’t need to see man and man, women and women. Seriously god created Adam and eve. Not Adam and Steve


  • Name: Anonymous
    Date posted: 2008-09-02 2:47 PM
    Hometown: tucson,AZ

    Comment:

    I think this is very bad we don’t need more diseases form gay people they suck. It disgusting we don’t need to see man and man, women and women. Seriously god created Adam and eve. Not Adam and Steve


  • Name: Tracy Loafman
    Date posted: 2008-08-28 8:20 PM
    Hometown: Phoenix, AZ

    Comment:

    I'm proud to be an ally for my friend, Meg Sneed, and so many others that are not given the same opportunity I receive-simply because I love a man, instead of another woman.


  • Name: Chris Sullivan
    Date posted: 2008-08-28 3:26 PM
    Hometown: Chicago, IL

    Comment:

    Yes, I think it is wonderful that these young people are out there working on this. I wonder exactly what is being done in CA as well. We keep hearing about Gov. "Terminator" saying he will help to try and Defeat Prop. 8 - but exactly what is he DOING? People who support this discriminatory measure on going door to door to see it pass - what is the GLBT community doing to counteract that? These fine young people in Phoenix are to be applauded for making such a great effort!


  • Name: Roger Burr
    Date posted: 2008-08-28 11:33 AM
    Hometown: Marble Hill, MO

    Comment:

    Kudos to and God bless, those six young LGBT persons who canvassed Phoenix. We NEED this level of activism and dedication to a cause if we are to be successful in winning full equality. They did a great job and deserve much praise and appreciation. Now let's see others pick up and carry the torch.


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