Gay marriage backers take to Marysville streets

Steve Shoup married his partner three times in the 1990s and 2000s and celebrated Tuesday as a step toward giving other California gays the same chance to validate their love.

"This is a great day in the history of LGBT society," Shoup said, hailing a 2-1 ruling from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that California's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. "Part of me wants to cry and part of me wants to throw a bridal shower for every couple in California with a huge wedding cake and outdoor lighting."

Shoup, 47, a Yuba City resident, wouldn't ask everyone to attend that party, and the uninvited wouldn't exactly be crashing the gates to get in, Rick Reiss included.

"We believe that God has established marriage to be between a man and a woman," said Peter Hall, stake president for Yuba-Sutter's Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Moreover, he added, 52 percent of the 13.7 million Californians who voted in 2008 said the same thing by passing Proposition 8.

That was a sentiment shared by Proposition 8 supporters, including state Sen. Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale, who in an email, called Tuesday's court decision highly political and "an affront to voters."

"The people have spoken, and then three people are able to overturn the will of the people," said Dave Kugelman, community liaison for Church of Glad Tidings, before noting that Judge Randy Smith dissented with the majority opinion. "Really, two people changed the whole vote."

To win that vote, Proposition 8 supporters rallied the support needed to raise money, collect signatures and advertised, and won a majority of voters to their position, Kugelman said.

"We go to all this effort," he said. "Why bother?"

Proposition 8 backers are expected to appeal Tuesday's ruling, continuing a bitter war that has spanned the four years since both sides lobbied voters in the run-up to the 2008 election.

Jennifer and Clyde Ross prepped Tuesday evening for the next battle by rallying for gay marriage in front of rush-hour motorists. Holding a rainbow-colored umbrella and waving signs, the gay siblings braved the rain to rally commuters to "legalize gay marriage."

"It shouldn't be up for discussion. It's our fundamental right," Jennifer Ross said. "They want us to hide. I think there's too many people hiding in Marysville."

Just then, a car whizzed past and a woman yelled out the window. "Gay marriage is a sin!"

"That's the kind of stuff we get," Jennifer Ross said, adding that it was worse when they demonstrated against Proposition 8 four years ago. Then, people threw drinks and food at them.

A few minutes later, a guy in his vehicle peeled out and flipped the pair off. Clyde Ross yelled an obscenity as the driver sped away.

That's the sort of vitriolic exchange Kugelman wants to avoid. His church doesn't hate gay people, he said, In fact, it's just the opposite; it loves and wants to save them from a "sinful lifestyle."

"We care about all people," Kugelman added. "It's not us against them. It's about genuine concern for what's best for humanity."

Gay marriage is "great for civilization," said Shoup, whose husband died in 2007. Like their straight counterparts, when gay couples settle down and start a life together, they buy homes, raise kids, shop local businesses and help neighbors, he said.

"Whether or not I'm having sex with a man, that's good for society," Shoup said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

CONTACT reporter Jonathan Edwards at jedwards@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4780. Find him on Facebook at /ADjedwards or on Twitter at @ADjedwards.