Proposition 8 is still undergoing speculation months after its initial voter-approved passing on the Nov. 4 election.
The California Supreme Court will be hearing oral arguments against the proposition this morning from 9 a.m. to noon to determine its validity, along with the status of same-sex couples married before the election and whether the proposition violates the separation of powers.
“This can either be a huge step forward or a huge step back,” said Carl Highshaw, administrative director of Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Inc. “It’s not fair to a minority to have a large majority vote on their rights.”
Highshaw said California legislators are in support of gay marriage and that the vote was unconstitutional.
“If there is an amendment to the [California] Constitution, it needs to be taken to legislators before it is voted on. That wasn’t done,” Highshaw said.
Some students on campus consider Thursday’s hearing to be a step toward progress. Nicole Cooper, a sophomore 3D media major, said those who campaigned ‘Yes on Prop 8’ were misinforming voters and that it is important to examine propositions more closely.
“Prop 8 has a good chance of getting overturned, [Legislators] have already come into agreement that it’s unconstitutional,” Cooper said. “It’s a good thing that the props are being looked into more. Some props might have an alternative agenda.”
Other students do not feel as passionately about the issue.
“I’m not indifferent to it, but I’m not super concerned about it either,” said Garrett McKay, a sophomore environmental science and policy major. “I don’t care if they want the term ‘married’ but I do think it is against how God has created us.”
McKay still sees no definite end to the fight for legalizing gay marriage.
“I know if it gets overturned there is going to be opposition, but it’s an ongoing battle,” McKay said. “I think in the end, marriage will be legal for both sides but not for some time.”