Long Beach rally against Prop. 8 draws crowd

By Kelly Puente, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 11/02/2008 10:30:19 PM PST

LONG BEACH - With just two days before the election, hundreds gathered in Long Beach's Bixby Park on Sunday for a rally opposing Proposition 8.

Standing on the historic Bixby Park bandshell, community leaders and elected officials urged people to vote "no" on the ballot measure that would ban same-sex marriage in California.

Organizers said the rally drew more than 400.

In a passionate speech, Mayor Bob Foster said allowing gays and lesbians to marry is a matter of simple human kindness and understanding.

"I don't understand why anyone would be opposed to that," Foster said. "Everything is tougher in these economic times, and to have a group of people spend time on hate is beyond me."

Councilwomen Bonnie Lowenthal, Suja Lowenthal and Tonia Reyes Uranga, Huntington Beach Mayor Debbie Cook, and local activists, including Justin Rudd, also spoke in support of gay marriage.

Event host Robert Garcia, a Long Beach City College administrator and co-publisher of the Long Beach Post, reminded the crowd that Long Beach, as the fifth-largest city in the state, can make a difference in Tuesday's elections.

"We can't leave this to other cities," said Garcia, who was one of 15 community organizers behind the rally.

Holding signs and banners that said "No on 8," the crowds cheered and applauded as gay marriage was described as a basic civil right.

Long Beach resident Laura Aronne attended the rally with her 2-year-old daughter Isabella. Aronne said she and her husband work on teaching their daughter about equality.

"I don't want my daughter growing up in a society that's intolerant," Aronne said.

Mike Warga, who married his partner of 10 years on June17, attended the event with his 81-year-old mother, Winnie Warga.

"I'm trying to influence others in my generation," Winnie Warga said.

The rally concluded with a quick wedding ceremony between long-time partners Susan Margeson and Kim Dupree.

"I'm still shocked," Margeson said. "I never ever thought we'd be able to do this."

While there were no counter-demonstrators at the rally in Bixby Park, more than two dozen Proposition 8 supporters on Sunday held signs along the Traffic Circle at Pacific Coast Highway and Los Coyotes Diagonal.

Organizers said they weren't aware of the large "No on 8" event in the park and were rallying as part of a series of events throughout the state.

Demonstrator Anna Wong, a Long Beach resident, said she is concerned that children will be taught about gay marriage in school if the measure fails.

"As a parent, I have a right to educate my child on our personal morals and values," said Wong, a born-again Christian.

Miguel Lopez, regional coordinator for the "Yes on 8" campaign in Long Beach, said he doesn't want his children being taught about sex in school.

"I hope we win on Tuesday," said Lopez, a father of five. "Because I'm looking out for my children."

kelly.puente@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1305