San Diego Lawmakers, LGBTQ+ Activists Endorse Proposition to Protect Marriage Equality

Mayor Todd Gloria, Sen. Toni Atkins and Assemblymember Chris Ward joined LGBTQ+ activists Tuesday at San Diego’s LGBT Community Center to endorse Proposition 3, also known as the Freedom to Marry ballot measure.

This November, voters are being asked to reaffirm marriage equality by repealing Proposition 8, which passed in 2008 and still defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman in California’s constitution.

“Our vote is one of the most powerful tools we have to fight against a rough, oppressive and dangerous policies that try to control us,” said Vernita Gutierrez, one of the speakers and vice president of external affairs for Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest.

“The Supreme Court of the United States has made it clear that we can no longer expect our personal freedoms and harm to rise to be protected at the federal level,” she warned.

Like many of the speakers, Gutierrez stressed the crucial timing of the proposition. She cited the repeal of Roe v. Wade and conservative plans such as Project 2025 that threaten a rollback of LGBTQ+ rights and protections.

Atkins, who was the first lesbian to be Senate leader in California, shared her own memories of when California approved marriage equality only to be banned shortly afterward by Prop. 8.

“That summer was full of love and full of hope from our community. But it came to a devastating end when the voters passed Proposition eight,” said Atkins, “Not only did it take away our merriment, but it told us that there was somebody that didn’t believe that our love was as valid as theirs and worthy of recognition under the law.”

“This November, I will be voting for my spouse, families like my own and millions of Californians who believe in the freedom to marry,” added Atkins. “We urge all Americans who share our belief in freedom equality, to join us and vote yes on Proposition 3.”