Californians go to 'war' over Prop 8's gay-marriage ban

LOS ANGELES -- There is little suspense over the presidential race here, but a ballot initiative to overturn gay marriage is garnering the attention of politicians, activists and big spenders.

Proposition 8, which would amend California's constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman, was put on the ballot after a state Supreme Court ruling in May said a ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional.

The ruling triggered a rush to the altar by gay and lesbian couples, including many from other states seeking legal recognition of their unions. That prompted what has become a pricey and exuberant battle.

"This is the most expensive cultural war in America, ever," says John Duran, a West Hollywood City Council member and fundraiser for opponents of Prop 8. "It's a cultural war over the role of gay and lesbian Americans in California."

Opponents of same-sex marriages are determined to trump the court at the ballot box and have unleashed a massive campaign of organizing, television ads and fundraising.

Their early success at fundraising forced gay-marriage advocates to step up their own campaign efforts, and now the two sides are on track to spend more than $60 million, about evenly divided. The issue has made impromptu demonstrations a common sight across Southern California, as people from both sides wave signs at motorists from suburban street corners.

California's record as a trend-setter for the rest of the nation means the implications go beyond the borders of a state that is home to roughly 12% of the nation. While similar issues face voters in Florida and Arizona, both sides believe victory here is of paramount importance to shape public attitudes about same-sex marriage nationally under the next administration.

"This is the second-biggest race in the country," says Sonja Eddings Brown, spokeswoman for the Yes on 8 campaign. "And the impact of Proposition 8 is going to set a precedent for the United States of America."

Despite a tendency to elect Republican movie stars as governor, California has become reliably Democratic in presidential races. President Bush lost here twice, by 11 percentage points in 2000 and 10 in 2004.