California marriage plaintiff discusses Prop 8, fallout

As Californians prepare for the aftermath of the state Supreme Court's decision on the validity of Proposition 8, Robin Tyler and Diane Olsen, one of the couples who sought the right to marry in the Golden State, continue to advocate for marriage for same-sex couples.

Tyler recently sat down with EDGE to discuss her activism, and her thoughts as she, her partner and activists across the state await the court's decision.

EDGE: Where did opponents of Prop 8 fail and why? What would you do differently?
TYLER: No on 8 failed because Yes on 8 used a sledge hammer and No on 8 used a sling shot. I would definitely show same-sex couples because win or lose, our community should never be invisible; they should be visible everywhere. It failed once. Yes on 8 falsely defined the issue as teaching children at school (about homosexual relations.) Rule number one in politics is you never get the upper hand on defining the issue.

EDGE: Is there a compromise, such as the suggestion by Pepperdine University students and faculty to create an across-the-board usage of civil unions, rather than marriage?
TYLER: No. The issue isn't about the word marriage. The issue is about homophobia and denying gay people (their rights.) That's why they passed laws in 24 states that deny recognition of gay rights. Religion does not own the words civil marriage. Marriage is a civil contract not a religious contract. Marriage is civil contract no different than a driver's license. All of our civil rights are important. Twenty-five percent of same-sex couples now have children. Marriage is a central issue in the United States. They can say to Rosa Parks, why did you get on the front of the bus? They didn't offer African Americans civil marriage.

EDGE: Obama said he opposes gay marriage but supports an across-the-board civil union legislation, yet many members of the LGBT community continue to see him as a beacon of hope. What do you think?
TYLER: Obama in 1996 said, "You don't say gay marriage, you say marriage equality." Then, he changed his position. I don't agree with Obama. He said it's because of his Christian beliefs. But the fact is that they used Christian beliefs to deny mixed couples the right to marriage. So, I am very disappointed. I would offer no more leniency than any other president just because he is African American, as a matter of fact, I would expect him to have greater understanding and not make our community politically convenient.

EDGE: Your name and presence seems to be prolific in the fight for marriage equality, how involved is your wife in furthering the cause?
TYLER: I've been a civil rights activist for 35 years, not just on the marriage issue. I first started to work for marriage equality in 1974. Diane's been a tremendous inspiration. [She] is very shy, we do panels together. She went from being a shy personality to being extremely recognized. She does a lot of television. She gets picked up by the press. She's become very prolific. We are definitely doing this together.

EDGE: What happens if you lose?
TYLER: What do you mean lose? If we retain our marriages, but the California Supreme Court upholds Prop 8, then we have lost. The first thing we need to do is go after the two Supreme Court justices fighting for re-election next year if they voted against us. This is what the right wing threatened them with. We can no longer use a slingshot while our enemies use a sledgehammer.

EDGE: If you win in the Supreme Court case, is it the end or does more need to happen?
TYLER: If we win, we immediately need to go after the Democratic Congress and Obama to fulfill his pledge to eliminate the Defense of Marriage Act (and all of the other LGBT issues.) We don't have one civil right on a federal level. I was a major supporter when Bill Clinton first ran. I supported Obama. I'm done. We have to have the courage to stand up to the National Democratic Party and say "enough is enough." SUPPORT US, OR WE WON'T SUPPORT YOU.

EDGE: How do the divided citizens of the state of California make peace after this ardent controversy?
TYLER: If we lose, then for the first time in American history, a protected minority will be taken OUT of a constitution. Would you have asked African Americans to make peace when they were struggling through their civil rights movement? There is no making peace until we get our civil rights.