Alex Shamis/Daily Journal People filled the corners of El Camino Real and Fifth Avenue protesting the passage of Proposition 8. Support for their effort was heard from passing cars as people cheered and blared their horns.

With candles in hand and hope in their hearts, supporters of same-sex marriage gathered at a busy San Mateo intersection last night a week after the state Constitution was changed by the passage of Proposition 8.

While advocates consider lawsuits to overturn the ban of same-sex marriage, those here at home claim it’s just a matter of time before California comes to accept gay marriages. Some called this the next civil rights fight in America.

“Did women give up when seeking to vote? Did blacks give up when they were hosed? Democratic votes have been wrong before and I think this was wrong,” said Cynthia McCune of San Mateo.

The group that gathered at the corner of Fifth Avenue and San Mateo Drive Monday evening consisted mainly of members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of San Mateo. McCune and others with her said they resented other churches telling them what to believe. Other churches may not believe in marrying same-sex couples, but Unitarian Universalists do marry gay and lesbian couples.

Proposition 8 passed Tuesday with 52 percent of the vote and amends the state Constitution to define marriage as that between a man and woman. It overturns a May 15 state Supreme Court ruling that granted same-sex couples a right to marry. Lawyers wishing to challenge Tuesday’s results have already filed a lawsuit and Proposition 8 campaign is preparing to defend the democratic vote.

The lawsuits claim Proposition 8 is a revision — rather than an amendment — to the state Constitution because it takes away the rights of a minority group. A revision requires a two-thirds vote of both legislative houses and voters. Proponents of the proposition disagree.

“The lawsuit filed [Nov. 5] by the ACLU and Equality California seeking to invalidate the decision of California voters to enshrine traditional marriage in California’s constitution is frivolous and regrettable,” according to a Yes on Proposition 8 press release issued last week. “This is the second time that California voters have acted to define marriage as between a man and a woman. It is time that the opponents of traditional marriage respect the voters’ decision.”

Those at last night’s vigil had mixed views on the lawsuits’ chances in court. However, all said they were hopeful that same-sex marriages would become legal one way or another within the next decade.

With each passing generation, the acceptance of gays and lesbians grows, McCue said.

The vigil was one of several held throughout the Peninsula and in San Jose. Those at last night’s San Mateo vigil said they felt supporting same-sex marriage was as simple as supporting friends.

“Once you know gay people you know they are just like everyone else and all this fear and stigma is not necessary,” said Marty Hoffman, of South San Francisco.

The issue of same-sex marriage was less about legal challenges and more about gut feelings, said Emily Dumond, one of the youngest at last night’s vigil.

“I was pretty bummed [by the election’s results],” Dumond said. “To me, it seems marriage is so basic that everyone should have the right.”

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106.