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29 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, December 4, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend November 6, 2004 Demonstrators decry ‘wrong’ vote on gay marriage initiative By BILL CHOY Mail Tribune ASHLAND — Holding candles and carrying signs such as "Freedom to Marry" and "We are a Family — We All Have Value," more than 75 people converged downtown Friday for a candlelight vigil demonstration against the passage of Measure 36. Oregon was one of 11 states on Tuesday that passed a ban on same-sex marriages. Measure 36 defines marriage as being between one man and one woman. "It’s sad that Measure 36 passed," said Brian Smith of Medford. "I should have the right to marry as anyone else. And if I can’t get married, my rights are being taken away. It’s just wrong." The event was organized by local residents who said they wanted to demonstrate their frustration with the passage of the measure. In Oregon, 57 percent voted yes on Measure 36, compared to 43 percent who voted no. Advertisement Standing next to East Main Street on the Plaza, the demonstrators received mostly positive responses from passing vehicles, including honks, waves and a few cheers. Lynnea Amend, a Southern Oregon University senior and staff manager at the school’s Women’s Resource Center, said the event quickly took root once it became clear Measure 36 would pass. "We were sad this was happening, so we wanted to do something about it," she said. "We want to let everyone know we’re not happy." "It confirmed that we have a long way to go toward civil rights," Amend said. "As students and community members, we feel that Oregon, and indeed our nation, can do better." Steve Bullock of Ashland and his wife, Mary Boles, said it was important to be out with their candles to show their support. "We believe in compassion for everyone and equal rights," he said. Danielle Mancuso, chairwoman of the Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center Association based in Ashland, wore a T-shirt expressing how she felt about the passage of the measure. "I am still marrying my partner in July 2005," the back of the shirt read. "Honor the sanctity of love." Mancuso said she and her partner have been together for more than two years and are upset the measure passed. "I feel like a second-class citizen, that I’ve been told I’m wrong," she said. "It shows it still will be a long crawl to understanding." Reporter Bill Choy writes for the Mail Tribune and the Ashland Daily Tidings. Reach him at 482-3456. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities