Source: Tucson Citizen, KNXV TV, Arizona Republic
Tucson, Ariz. -- On the night before hundreds of thousands gathered throughout the country to protest the passage of Prop. 8 in California, almost 1,000 people of all ages gathered at a march in downtown Tucson to protest one of the other two bans on marriage equality that passed this month.
On Saturday, coinciding with other national protests, thousands of protesters again took to the streets in Tucson, Phoenix, and elsewhere in Arizona.
The crowds gathered Friday night and again Saturday to protest the passage of Proposition 102, the Arizona ban on gay marriage.
Related in Qnews: Articles on Prop. 102
"This event will give us an opportunity to share our frustration and sadness over Proposition 102's impact in our state," said Jason Cianciotto, executive director of Wingspan, the group that organized the demonstration. "And we want to turn that energy into a positive source."
Arizonans protest their own state's anti-gay amendment in weekend demonstrations [contd.]
Wingspan is an advocacy group for southern Arizona's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community
Nine-year-old Margaret Cramer said Friday night she was marching because she wanted her moms to be able to marry, Tucson Citizen reports.
"We're very upset that my wife and I can't have our marriage recognized," said Amelia Cramer, Margaret's mother. "We are a loving family just like any other."
As participants lined up to march at El Presidio Park, dozens of heterosexual couples were getting married at the courthouse beside them, the Citizen reports.
On Nov. 4, Arizona voters approved Proposition 102, amending the state constitution to define marriage as a union of one man and one woman.
Although Proposition 102 passed statewide, Pima County, where Tucson is located, was the only county in Arizona where voters rejected it, by a margin of more than 3 percent, said Wingspan's Cianciotto.
"I am proud that the majority of voters here came together and took a stand in support of all Arizona families," he said.
On Saturday in Phoenix, protestors marched in front of city hall chanting, "What do we want? Equal rights! When do we want it? Now!"
Donavon Goodsell of Phoenix celebrated his 67th birthday on Saturday by marching for gay rights at the Phoenix rally that drew a large group from the gay community and its supporters, Arizona Republic reports.
Goodsell has been in a relationship for 42 years and he said it was now time for marriage rights.
Goodsell was one of close to 2,000 people who gathered in Phoenix to protest the recently adopted Prop. 102, a constitutional amendment that bans same-sex marriage in Arizona
Several people told KNXV ABC15 they would not stop rallying until Proposition 102 is overturned.
Voters elected to create the state amendment that defines marriage between one man and one woman.
Nina Ulloa, a protest advocate, issued a news release, saying simultaneous protests were held at Tucson City Hall, Flagstaff City Hall and in downtown Flagstaff.
The protests were inspired by Seattle-based Join the Impact, a grass-roots movement that said about 300 cities were participating in the marches.
In Phoenix, the effort was lead by Annie Loyd, a community activist and a member of Be A Human and Equal Rights Organizer, a local movement.
Organizers spread the word through e-mail and Facebook.
"I've been gay all my life and a lot of us, we were patiently waiting for people to get it, and now that you're saying (we are) second-class citizens in the United States of America in the year 2008 is completely unacceptable," Loyd said.
Loyd said the protests were not aimed at the Mormon Church, which had been a vocal supporter of Prop. 8 in California and is believed by many to have been a major backer of the Prop. 102 campaign.
But resentment for the Mormon Church was evident, as many participants held signs denouncing the church, the Republic reports.
Still, the event remained peaceful and there was no counterprotest.
Phoenix Councilman Tom Simplot, who is openly gay, was one of about a dozen speakers. He got the already-energetic crowd even more charged.
"We have let our rights slip away because we weren't paying attention," he said. "We need to focus this newfound anger so we don't let more things slip away."
Rachel Boyer, her husband and her 14-month-old son drove from Tucson to participate in the Phoenix rally.
Boyer said it was one way to show her support for the gay community and for her sister, who is a lesbian.
"It shouldn't even be an issue," Boyer said. "When people who love each other make a commitment to each other, that strengthens marriage."
Source: 1,000 gather downtown to protest Arizona's ban on gay marriage | Tucson Citizen
Tucsonans to march downtown Friday | Tucson Citizen
Protestors rally, march against Prop 102 in downtown Phoenix | KNXV-TV
2,000 in Phoenix protest gay marriage ban | Arizona Republic