Following the state Supreme Court upholding Proposition 8, the measure that banned same-sex marriage in California, both sides of the issue headed to Fresno last weekend to win the hearts and minds of the conservative region.
Supporters of gay marriage figured they must persuade some residents to back their side if they are ever going to win the issue at the ballot box. The San Joaquin Valley voted overwhelmingly in favor of Proposition 8, but the number was much closer statewide.
On the same weekend, opponents of gay marriage held a rally to reinforce their majority, and to celebrate their Supreme Court victory. They don't want to give up political ground to the other side.
Some think gay marriage supporters don't have a chance in this region, and on first glance it might appear that's correct. But the numbers aren't all that bad for supporters of same-sex marriage.
Consider this: Proposition 8 only had 52% support statewide, but 70% in the San Joaquin Valley. That gives backers of gay marriage more people to go after in the Valley. So the same-sex marriage folks are thinking that they don't need to peel away everyone in the Valley to help their statewide number. They figure there is a chunk among the 70% who could be persuaded to switch.
And they brought big names to help them. Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron was there, and so was Eric McCormick of "Will and Grace" fame.
So a 2-percentage-point swing statewide would put the issue even, and they hope to get a least that many votes out of Fresno when this issue come up again in the 2010 or 2012 election.
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