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: 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 4:43 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 4:40 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: 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: 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.

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