Proposition 8 was a proposal created by Californians to counter a court ruling allowing gay marriage in the state of California that had been passed in in May of 2008, which declared that a similar Proposition, Proposition 22, was unconstitutional. Proposition 22 was an amendment to the State Statute, whereas Proposition 8 was an amendment to the State Constitution. Proposition 22 was passed on March 7th, 2000. For more information on the court ruling of Proposition 22 click here.
After learning this, let us look more in depth at the editorial cartoon to the left. Looking at the text in the top left corner it states "CALIF. GAY-MARRIAGE PROP. 8 WAS APTLY NAMED". To which they have a side wise 8(or symbol for infinity). Within the infinity symbol are the words "Infinite Challenges, Appeals, Ballot Measures and Counter Measures". Taking in to account Proposition 22, this is very clever. The cartoonist is stating that this topic will be infinitely debated and even after the people of California voted against gay marriage, the judges of the court deemed it unconstitutional and overturned it. Since this is the second attempt to declare marriage as between man and woman only, it has become as the number 8 laid side wise, or the symbol for infinity, making it aptly named.
Voting yes on Proposition 8 would pass the Proposition, which would then amend the California State Constitution, adding 14 words to the text. Those 14 words are "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." Voting no on Proposition 8 would reject the Proposition, which would allow the courts appealing of Proposition 22 to stand. This would allow for marriage to be between any two people, regardless of gender, including those of the same sex.
To those people who opposed the passing of Proposition 8, it was discrimination towards the gay community. It was an act of bigotry and an attempt to create a sense that heterosexuals were superior. They claimed that the right to marry who they wished were being taken away from the gay community. This lack of progressiveness was frustrating for those that opposed Proposition 8. Looking at the cartoon to the right, we again see the figure 8 being used with the infinite meaning. In this cartoon the creator is pointing out that California(the car) is going no where, that proposition "8" is taking them back to where they already were and that California was not progressing. Looking to Merriam-Webster we see the definition of progressive as: 3: Moving Forward or onward : Advancing. The people that opposed Proposition 8 felt like it was an anti-progressive Proposition.To those who supported Proposition 8, it was an act of protection. They were protecting marriage as between man and woman and in the process they were protecting children. As David Blankenhorn stated in his Opinion Editorial in the LA Times on September 19, 2008, "children have the right, insofar as society can make it possible, to know and to be cared for by the two parents who brought them into this world." As per California law, "domestic partners shall have the same rights, protections and benefits" as married spouses. The supporters did not feel like they were discriminating towards anyone.