Prop. 8 Opponents Mull 2010 Campaign

By Nathan Black, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Same-sex marriage advocates are debating whether to try and overturn California's Proposition 8 next year or wait until at least 2012.

A straw poll of same-sex marriage leaders reveals that a majority want to take the issue back to the ballot in 2010. But it has been only nine months since California voters passed the constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman and some argue it's too soon.

"The only thing worse than losing in 2008 would be to lose again in 2010," David Bohnett, who donated more than $1 million to defeat Proposition 8, told the New York Times.

Ron Prentice, executive director of California Family Council, said gay rights groups are taking votes on when to campaign to repeal Proposition 8.

"The reality says, based on our economy and the recent success of Proposition 8, now would not be a good time," he said, according to Citizenlink, a publication of Focus on the Family. "It's kind of been a splintered result relationally between those groups."

In May, Proposition 8 was ruled by the California Supreme Court as neither unconstitutional nor an illegal constitutional revision by the people. Challengers to the amendment, however, have taken the marriage battle to the federal level with the support of the nation's top litigators, Theodore B. Olson and David Boies.

But a lawsuit against Proposition 8 in federal court this early has some gay rights groups worried, just like a 2010 campaign to repeal the amendment has.

They are seeking more public support and waiting for more changed hearts and minds on the same-sex marriage issue before they take action.

Frank Schubert, a spokesman for ProtectMarriage.com, the leading proponent for Proposition 8, doesn't see that happening anytime in the future.

"The other side has said they will not move forward with an initiative until they are sure they can win," Schubert told the New York Times. "That day is not going to come."