Locals protest Prop. 8

By: Carol Moniz

Posted: 11/21/08

Several hundred people gathered in front of City Hall Nov. 15 to protest the passing of Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in California.

"Join the Impact" was a nationwide peaceful protest held in 300 cities across the country. Gay rights supporters joined together to stand up for what they believe in. They marched around City Hall in a continuous circle, chanting and holding signs.

"I was blown away by the size and the enthusiasm of the protest. The signs being carried were about love and rights, and chants rang out until everyone was hoarse. I really believe we, as a group, made our voices and beliefs clear," Aleicia Phulwani, a sophomore biology major who helped organize the protest, said.

Drexel's Foundation of Undergraduates for Sexual Equality (FUSE) helped promote the protest through Facebook groups and announcements in their weekly e-mail. Many FUSE members also attended the protest.

Dave Bria, a sophomore chemistry major and events director for FUSE, said he attended the protest because he believes the passing of Proposition 8 was a major setback for the gay rights movement.

"My favorite sign at the protest was 'None are equal until all are equal,' something that those in support of Proposition 8 have chosen to ignore. They have effectively decided that marriage is a privilege, even in the legal sense, and see no problem in deciding who can have it and who can't," Bria said.

Bria said that he was happy with the turnout to the protest.

"A ton of people were there, and a ton of diverse people at that. Gays, straights, blacks, white, transpeople - you name it, they were at the protest. The unity among this diverse group of people was very powerful."

The Nov. 4 presidential election was bittersweet for many, including Joli Ienuso, a freshman screenwriting and playwriting major and FUSE member.

"After the news that Obama won, I was still checking the progress of Proposition 8. For me, it wasn't over until those results were in."

However, the passing of Proposition 8 did not discourage Ienuso.

"Nov. 15 was definitely a day in my life that I will forever look back on and be extremely proud of. We all showed up and stood up for something we believe in."

David Codell, the lead counsel for Anti Proposition 8, will be speaking at Drexel Law Nov. 21 at noon. He will discuss the current challenge and any aspects of the present and prior litigation.

FUSE is a non-exclusive student organization that strives to promote acceptance, understanding, unity, and positive relationships among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and ally individuals, as well as other communities.