The supporters of gay marriage spoke out as the state Supreme Court heard arguments of Proposition 8 as stated in a press release given from Bakersfield’s Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender and Questioning organization.

On March 5, the state Supreme Court decided to hear sides on the pending repeal of Proposition 8. The recalling for this proposition is for marriage equality for all including people of homosexual affiliation. Marriage equality has become a major civil rights issue to the gay community in Bakersfield.

“It’s important to take a stand for equality and urge the Supreme Court to invalidate Proposition 8,” said Juan Cerda, LGBTQ director of advocacy.

Many of the LGBTQ members of Bakersfield rallied on the night of the proceedings. They gathered at different locations around Bakersfield including the corners of Coffee and Rosedale, Stockdale Highway and New Stine, Mt. Vernon and Mall View Road at 5 p.m. In Delano, they gathered at the south end of Cecil Avenue Park at 4 p.m.

“There are gay and lesbian people in Delano too, not just in big cities,” said Antoinette Race, who attended the rally in Delano.

The group does a lot of work for the LGBTQ community.

“I feel they could also learn and share with us, plus participate in functions,” said Jolynn

Schoonover, a LGBTQ member.

Although the rallies weren’t as successful as the ones right before voting day, they had a total of 30 people all together from each location.

“We know that our lives hang in the balance,” said Whitney Weddell, chair of Bakersfield LGBTQ.