Hundreds rally to repeal Proposition 8

KSDK- Hundreds protested in front of the Old Courthouse Saturday. It was part of a nation-wide effort to repeal proposition 8 in California. That proposition banned gay marriage. Protestors carried signs bearing slogans such as, "Prop 8 = H8," and, "If you don't like gay marriage, don't have one."

Mayor Slay was among the speakers. The mayor says he has two gay sisters and a gay brother who he loves and supports. Mayor Slay says St Louis has strong anti-discrimination laws.

This is an issue that brings up issues of faith. Newschannel 5 found people on both sides of the issue. Todd Koch, a member of Bethel Lutheran Church says, "I'm ashamed to admit that three years ago I would have voted for this bill. To me the hate is driven from ignorance and it's driven from fear and for me proposition 8 is a measure of fear and ignorance."

George Love disagreed. He saw the protest from a distance. He and his wife of more than 20 years stopped by to see what was going on. When asked how he defines marriage, Love said, "I myself I'm a Christian man. (Marriage) it should be one man and a woman. I don't believe in gay rights. I'm not going to sit here and pretend that I do. I don't support it in no type of way."