City Official Gets Recall Threats for Opposing Prop. 8

Campbell, Calif., gay city council member Evan Low says some constituents have threatened to recall him for opposing the state's proposed ban on same-sex marriage.

Low wrote an e-mail to supporters on Wednesday, saying that seven people had contacted him that day promising to recall him from office if he did not reverse his opposition to Proposition 8. Low told The Advocate on Friday that the threats have not affected his opposition to banning same-sex marriage.

"It only reaffirms my commitment to why I do what I do," Low said. "This reaffirms why I serve in this capacity, to give a voice to those that are less fortunate, and to also stand up against this horrible, despicable, hateful agenda. It's unfortunate that a proposition like this brings out the worst in people. It's unfortunate that we aren't spending our time and energy on both sides working on something that we can all agree on, like health care and education."

The council member said that voters in Campbell are split on the proposition, but he sees a lot of Yes on 8 signs and banners on lawns and highway overpasses.

"I've actually been to another council member's home where there was a Yes on 8 sign, so it's really challenging," he said. "Not only do we help persuade our friends and neighbors, but to also thank other individuals who are standing up, and putting themselves on the line, and making themselves visible to do so, because there is an inherent risk to doing that."

Low said that he knew one of the callers was a Campbell resident, but was unsure as to where the others lived, according to the Bay Area Reporter.

After receiving the threats earlier this week, Low headed north to San Francisco to campaign against Proposition 8 in Chinatown with Mayor Gavin Newsom. Campbell is in the South Bay, about 50 miles south of San Francisco. (Michelle Garcia, The Advocate)