Beyond Prop 8: Where Do We Go From Here?Paul Hogarthbyline‚ Nov. 20‚ 2008Yesterday, the California Supreme Court announced it would take up the legal challenges to Proposition 8. But while lawyers debate the future of marriage equality, activists are planning next steps regardless of the outcome. There’s a lot of grass-roots energy emanating from the recent protests, and now is the time to channel that activism into tangible results. Efforts must begin to prepare for a statewide initiative repealing Prop 8 in 2010. If a favorable ruling renders that unnecessary, we must build public support to avoid a backlash – which may include right-wing efforts to recall Supreme Court justices. Building such a movement requires listening to the grassroots – everyday activists who aren’t “leaders,” but whose input is just as valuable; something that “No on 8” failed to do. It’s such bottom-up organizing that made online groups like MoveOn so successful, and why they have been so effective. Tonight, MoveOn hosts conference calls on how progressives can build past Barack Obama’s victory -- while Marriage Equality USA will hold chapter meetings across the state for its next steps (although the San Francisco event previously scheduled for tonight has been postponed.) This time, it’s too important not to have every voice heard. |