Stars take to streets to protest Prop 8 ruling

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — On Tuesday morning, the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8 — the gay marriage ban passed back in November — and on Tuesday night some of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities joined thousands of protesters in the streets of West Hollywood to voice their anger, frustration and hope of a future overturning of the proposition.

Celebrities in attendance included Drew Barrymore, Kathy Griffin and her mother Maggie Griffin, George Takei and husband Brad Altman, Kelly Osbourne and finance Luke Worrell, Deborah Gibson, Emmy Rossum, Sophia Bush, Perez Hilton and Shanna Moakler.

Access Hollywood caught up with Kathy Griffin at the rally, who expressed her shame about the ruling to uphold the proposition.

“I’m a proud Californian, but today I was ashamed of the Supreme Court,” Kathy told Access. “I think they are gonna do the right thing eventually ... things like this, people taking it to the streets, this is how change really happens. And I’m so proud to be part of it, and I’m so proud of my mom for coming out here. She’s the 89-year-old activist. That last time she marched was against prohibition, so this is great!”

Griffin explained that California is not as liberal as some may perceive it.

“(Some) think that we’re a bunch of hippies and we’re too progressive (in California.) Turns out that Iowa has it right, we still have a way to go,” she said of the midwest state that recently legalized gay marriage. “But I really believe we’re gonna overturn it.”

Access also talked to Deborah Gibson (“Mega-Shark vs. Giant Octopus”), who said she was shocked by the decision.

“I was raised a good Catholic girl and nowhere in church do I remember it ever being an issue for everybody to be treated equally. I can’t believe it’s 2009 and this is still an issue to be quite honest,” Gibson explained. “People just have to continue to be vocal and even if it takes a while for people to officially change at least the community feels supported. And they feel shunned by their government but at least they know that their fellow citizens support them, love them and care what happens and I think that that’s a great message that everybody’s sending out today.”

Shanna Moakler, former co-executive director of the Miss California Organization, told Access she was protesting for her children.

“I’m a mother (and) I want my kids to grow up and have the same rights as me and I want them to be able to choose who they wanna love and be able to get married to whomever they choose to love,” Moakler said.

Moakler said she believes anti-gay marriage groups are attempting to court the young vote by rallying behind people like Miss California Carrie Prejean — who said gay marriage should not be legalized during the recent Miss USA 2009 pageant.

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“One of the reasons why (anti-gay marriage groups) latched on to Miss California is because she is young and because they’re losing the youth. And the youth is gonna come of age. They are gonna get to vote and they’re gonna make a difference. They’re gonna make a change,” Moakler said.

Like many of the protesters in the crowd, Kelly Osbourne was also left feeling angered by the court’s decision.

“It goes without saying that if you love someone, you should be able to marry them no matter ... I can’t even explain to you how frustrating it is that ... I don’t get it. I just don’t understand it,” Osbourne told Access. “Why is it such a problem? Why do people care who somebody loves and who somebody (wants) to marry?”

Many of the speakers at the rally said the fight for marriage equality would continue in the 2010 election.