The 2008 election was an all around success for progressives. Obama elected president, solid Democrat majorities in both house and senate, pro-choice victories in South Dakota, Colorado, and California, and a new Democratic governor. Victory across the board... Except for gay marriage. Three states passed man-woman marriage amendments despite inherent progressive advantages in all three. Arizona passed an amendment despite defeating one in 2006. Florida passed an amendment despite the need for a 60% super majority. Most cruelly, proposition 8 passed in California making it the first state to take away already granted marriage rights from gay couples.
What do we learn from this defeat and what can we do in the future to revive our cause?
Lessons Learned:
- Democrat does not equal pro gay equality. Conversely, social conservative does not always mean Republican. Much was made about African Americans voting for Prop 8, but the real issue is not race, its the fact that social conservatism transcends political affiliation, and we cannot delude ourselves into thinking that more democrats in power will always mean more gains for gay rights. Giving 1000$ to Obama campaign is NOT the same as giving that money to a gay advocacy group.
- Rights once granted CAN be taken away. There is a popular delusion that the culture war is a slow but steady progression of gains for gay rights, with the opposition only capable of defensive action. Proposition 8 shatters that myth, nothing should be taken for granted, they CAN reverse marriage equality in Massachusetts, they CAN reverse the Supreme Court anti-sodomy decision. No victory is safe from a well financed counter-offensive.
- Political victory requires money, infrastructure, and manpower. We almost matched the other side money wise, the infrastructure was lacking but could be improved. What we really lacked was enough people willing to make phone calls and knock on doors. The other side enlisted a legion of volunteers that completely overwhelmed our efforts; they demonstrated by the thousand and produced a victory. I simply did not see that kind of passion on our side until after the election.
So the question stands, what now? I want to keep fighting but am lost as to how best to do it, thoughts?