TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

Both sides on the Kern County front of the same-sex marriage battle agreed Tuesday that their fight is not over.

While the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8, it left a door in the debate wide open:

If voters have the right to make same-sex marriage illegal, they also have the right to legalize it again.

The California Secretary of State's office said Tuesday that same-sex marriage supporters have until June 24, 2010, to qualify a constitutional amendment for the November 2010 election. If they want to run the vote in June 2010, they need to qualify the measure by Jan. 28.

Kern County activists on both sides vowed to commit the same passion and effort to the future battle.

"ENERGIZED"

Whitney Weddell, who led the local campaign against Proposition 8, said there is debate within the movement about whether to put a constitutional amendment before voters in 2010 or 2012.

But there is no debate about whether to fight.

"We'll be on the front line," Weddell said. "The concept that all people should be treated equally on the issue of marriage isn't going to go away."

She said the local gay, lesbian and transgender community has been "energized" by Proposition 8.

"I've already been talking to people today, asking 'Are you in?' and they've all said, 'Yes,'" Weddell said. "They're saying, 'I just don't want to go to the party or hand you a check. I want to work.'"

Local gay rights activist Juan Cerda said the court ruling was disheartening and he plans to fight it through education — getting out into the community, knocking on doors and talking to people.

“It's not just your vote, it's other people's marriage,” he said during a rally Tuesday evening in front of Outback Steakhouse on Stockdale Highway. “When do I get a chance to vote on your marriage?”

Wearing a pin that said “straight, but not narrow,” fellow rallier Kristina Straw said she hopes to see the issue go before the U.S. Supreme Court.

“It’s a fight for civil rights,” she said. “It should not be a voting issue.”
 

"EVERYTHING I HAD"

The passion is equally as great on the other side.

Lisa Chidester, a stay-at-home Bakersfield mother who became a volunteer coordinator on the Yes on 8 campaign last year, said she is proud of the exhaustive work it took to pass the constitutional amendment in November.

"I was willing to give everything I had. It was just an incredible experience for me," she said. "I'm delighted that this stay-at-home mom made a difference."

If Proposition 8 opponents choose to ask voters to amend the state constitution to legalize same-sex marriage next year, Chidester said, she's willing to make the same effort again.

"I don't want my children to go to school and learn about gay marriage. That should stay at home," she said. "This is too important to let go."

Kern County Yes on 8 leader Ken Mettler said he was gratified the court protected Proposition 8, but he grumbled that the court let same sex-marriages created last year remain in effect.

And, like Weddell, he said his activists will be ready for the next fight.

"The folks in traditional marriage have been awakened," he said.

EMOTIONAL TOLL

Neither side denies the coming battle will be emotional and draining.

Weddell said facing the emotional abuse from people who devalue her and her marriage is tough to do over and over again.

"It's hard any time you come up against this kind of...I even don't know what word to use," she said.

Mettler, whose punch at a Proposition 8 opponent during a 2008 campaign event in Bakersfield was caught on video, said the passion of the debate is draining.

"It is very tough. I'm a volunteer," he said.

But the debate needs to be held, he said.

"I respect folks who get involved in the process," he said, "even if I don't agree with their point of view."

— Staff writer Sarah Reinecke contributed to this report.