Idahoans React to Proposition 8 Passing

In an election otherwise full of liberal triumphs, the gay rights movement suffered a stunning defeat Tuesday night. California voters approved a ban on same-sex marriages that overrides a recent court decision legalizing them.

The Constitutional amendment, widely seen as the most momentous of the nation’s 153 ballot measures, will limit marriage to heterosexual couples — the first time such a vote has taken place in a state where gay unions are legal.

Gay-rights activists had a rough election elsewhere as well.

Ban-gay-marriage amendments were approved in Arizona and Florida, and Arkansas voters approved a measure banning unmarried couples from serving as adoptive or foster parents. Supporters made clear that gays and lesbians were their main target, but how do people in Eastern Idaho feel about Proposition 8’s passage?

“I think it’s a good thing because the family is the most important thing that we can have in this world, and I think that, you know, if the family disintegrates, it’s going to be not a good world,” said local woman Jane Simmons.

“I think it’s completely ridiculous,” explained Josh Hamp, who says he is gay.  “I believe that anyone should have the right to marry who they want to. And it’s just my opinion that it’s not gay people who are ruining the sanctity of marriage, it’s like people who go to Las Vegas and have too much to drink one night and get married in the morning, you know?  It’s just — it’s people like that that ruin the sanctity of marriage.  I think that me, personally, I should be allowed to marry whoever I want to.”

“I think that’s fantastic because, you know, the Bible tells you it’s against all morals,” shared Larry Holverson.

“It upsets me,” declared Shelby Crowther.  “I don’t think that it’s fair.  I think you can’t choose who you fall in love with, and I don’t think our government should be able to tell us who we can and can’t marry.”

With 95 percent of precincts reporting, the ban had 52 percent voting in favor while 48 percent opposed the proposition.