Source: KSL, Salt Lake Tribune, Deseret News
Emotions ran high Saturday as thousands of people rallied in downtown Salt Lake, sharing their opinions on both sides of the issue of same-sex marriage.
By police estimates, close to 3,000 people listened to speeches, held signs, and marched in support of what they feel should be a basic civil right: marriage.
As day turned to night Saturday, about 400 anti-Proposition 8 demonstrators descended on the south lawn of Utah's Capitol Hill to spell the word "equality" in 20-foot block letters using 10,000 candles, Deseret News reports.
The rally opposing Prop. 8 was held in conjunction with similar events in other cities across the country yesterday, organized by an ad-hoc website called "Join the Impact."
The demonstrators waving signs and rainbow-colored flags gathered in downtown Salt Lake City Saturday as the fight over marriage equality continued to intensify more than a week after California voters passed Proposition 8, which bans marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples, Deseret News reports.
Demonstrators held signs that read, "When do I get to vote on your marriage?" and "Proposition h8."
"It's upsetting to see churches pouring so much money and time and effort into taking away rights," said Davida Wegner, who waited for more than 40 hours at a Massachusetts courthouse to be married 18 months ago.
Blocks from the main rally site, gay-rights supporter Brittany Putnam responded to a an anti-gay picket, singing the Beatles' "All You Need is Love", Salt Lake Tribune reports. The the 22-year-old cook, better known as "Bubbles," mocked a young man carrying a sign reading, "Being here makes you intolerant hateful sore losers," with pelvic gyrations.
"You are persecuting people who voted against what you want!" shouted Abraham Rodrigues, Putnam's target.
Rodriques' family led one of two tiny, but visible and loud counter-protests in Salt Lake City, each numbering about a dozen, in support of discriminatory marriage laws.
"Marriage is between a man and woman to procreate the species," bellowed Jonas Rodrigues, a right-wing activist known for his confrontational style, into the face of one of gay-rights supporters gathered at Washington Park in downtown Salt Lake City.
"Everyone has a human right to fill the basic need to nurture each other. It's denying them basic rights. It's that simple," replied Tyler Bushnell of Salt Lake City.
The Rodrigues' group, called American Forever, stood up for the political process that enacted the controversial ballot measure, while an evangelical group led by a Baptist preacher well-known for condemning Mormon theology used scripture and moral condemnation.
At least 100 gay-rights supporters gathered around them, heckling and jeering in a series of heated and sometimes humorous exchanges. The two sides accused each other of hate and intolerance, alternating chants of "Shame on You!", Salt Lake Tribune reports.
"Maybe they should take a minute and read the Bible and see it's not their place to judge," said Candace Finch, a 19-year-old lesbian from the Emery County town of Ferron.
Perennial Baptist street preacher Lonnie Pursifull convened another small gathering not so much to support Proposition 8, but to condemn homosexuality as "an abomination in the eyes of the Lord," Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Pursifull said, "We can't allow these sodomites to march through our streets," according to KSL.
While often loud and emotional, the exchanges never became physical, perhaps thanks to the presence of at least 40 police officers, some of whom were videotaping the protesters, Salt Lake Tribune reports.
At the evening vigil at the capitol campus, it took about 45 minutes to get candles lit, as a light wind threatened to blow them out. Vigil organizer Patrick York said he hoped people would see the vigil as show of solidarity. Gay and straight Utahns participated, Deseret News, a church-owned, newspaper reports.
Eventually, he said, "equality is going to shine from every capital."
As same-sex marriage supporters lit candles, they talked of the future. Matthew Landis said, "We're going to go to every single thing that comes up until this changes," KSL, which is also owned by an LDS church company, reports.
Trent Romijn and Jacob DeGering, a gay couple who attended the vigil, said they hope one day that Utah will recognize same-sex marriage or at least a civil union, Deseret News reports.
But right now, they just want to feel like a part of the community and approved of the vigil's peaceful nature.
"This is a huge snowball, and it's starting to roll," Romijn said.
Passion runs deep on both sides of this issue. Lloyd Behunin is against same-sex marriage. He told KSL, "We're all going to face judgment. Period."
Loraine Ball supports same-sex marriage. "My basic three words are peace, love and equality," she said.
A supporter of same-sex marriage said, "We're here to show that all Americans deserve to love in equal ways." An opponent of same-sex marriage said, "I don't believe traditional marriage should be changed in any shape or form," KSL reports.
Todd Whitaker said, "They can't tell me what my laws and rights are as a constitutional citizen of the United States of America."
Both sides stood firm in their beliefs, convinced the other side couldn't be more wrong.
Pursifull said, "Many people in the United States are against gay marriage, and these guys are a bunch of babies figuring if they scream enough we'll give in." Michael Mueller said, "It's a no-brainer. It doesn't impact society. It benefits families. It benefits couples."
Same-sex marriage supporters already are planning new rallies. Those against it say they'll be there, as well, Deseret News reports.
While law enforcement did have to step in between people at a few points yesterday, they report no major problems and nothing that led to any arrests.
Source: Rallies held for, against same-sex marriage | KSL
Traditional-marriage supporters rally against gay marriage | Salt Lake Tribune
Hundreds take to S.L. streets to protest, support Prop. 8 ban on gay marriage | Deseret News