New survey shows Prop 8 losing; 8 Against 8's goal reached on Day 3!

by: Pam Spaulding

Thu Oct 23, 2008 at 07:02:33 AM EDT

First, a new statewide survey released by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) with funding from The James Irvine Foundation (PDF) has found that Prop 8 is now losing among likely voters, 52 percent to 44 percent.

The gap between likely voters in favor and opposed to Proposition 8 (44% yes, 52% no) has narrowed since September (41% yes, 55% no) and August (40% yes, 54% no). Compared to last month, more Republicans (70% today, 62% September) would vote yes on the measure, which would eliminate the right for same-sex couples to marry that the state Supreme Court granted in May.

Opposition is 4 points lower among Democrats (67% today, 71% September), but 5 points higher among independents (58% today, 53% September). At least half of men, women, Latinos, and whites oppose Proposition 8. Regionally, majorities of likely voters in the San Francisco Bay Area (67%) and Los Angeles (55%) are opposed. But majorities in the Central Valley (54%) and in the "Other Southern California" region that includes Orange, San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties (52%) favor the measure.

On the more general question of how they feel about allowing gay and lesbian couples to legally marry in California, likely voters are divided, 47 percent in favor and 49 percent opposed. These attitudes are largely unchanged since 2005. In an indication of how strong voters' motivations are to cast their ballots on this measure, supporters of Proposition 8 are far more likely (69%) than opponents (49%) to say the results are very important.

Your generosity since Monday has been overwhelming! 8 Against 8, an effort by eight lesbian bloggers to raise $8,000 in 8 days for the No On 8 campaign reached its goal in three days - at 11:45 PM ET on Wednesday, we went over the top with $8015 in donations!

"I am still in shock at how quickly and effectively the community responded to the 8 Against 8 campaign," said Renee Gannon of http://www.lesbiatopia.com. "The money donated and the excitement generated in three short days have far surpassed what I ever could have imagined that we would accomplish in eight days, never mind three."

The eight bloggers intend to continue raising money for No on Prop 8 through the "8 Against 8" campaign, expressing the urgency of fighting Proposition 8. "We're going to keep '8 Against 8' going for the full eight days," said Grace Chu of http://www.gracethespot.com and http://www.afterellen.com. "Equality California's No on Prop 8 campaign needs every cent they can get to defeat this atrocious ballot initiative," she continued. "We cannot afford to lose our momentum in this crucial time leading up to the election.

The 8 Against 8 fundraising effort continues through October 27th. Donations can be made at the following URL: http://www.8against8.com. 100% of all donations made through "8 Against 8" goes directly to Equality California's No on Prop 8 campaign.

We've received a lot of press and bloglove over the last few days as well. My fellow bloggers on this project are:

• Grace Chu and Grace Rosen from Grace the Spot
• Lori Hahn from Hahn at Home
• Kelly Leszczynski from The Lesbian Lifestyle
• Sinclair from Sugarbutch Chronicles
• Riese from This Girl Called Automatic-Win
• Renee Gannon from Lesbiatopia
• Dorothy Snarker of Dorothy Surrenders

Artist Darr Sandberg contacted me to say that while his financial situation didn't allow him to donate money to the cause, he wanted to take part in some way -- he has donated one of his paintings, Desert Spring, placing it up for auction -- starting bid $695 with the proceeds going to fight the hate amendment in the Golden State.  The highest bidder will receive is the original work (9" x 12" acrylic, unframed) not a print.

The winner will make a donation through the 8against8 page at EQ CA, and will be told for forward the confirmation info for that donation to me, which I will double-check with you before shipping the painting.

Participants in the auction need to:
1) Make a donation through the 8 Against 8 page at EQ CA.
2) Make an account at Darr's site (it does not ask for any sensitive info)
3) Make the account in the same name that you will use to make the donation.
4) The winner should printout or save the confirmation information of their donation, and pass on to Darr to receive the painting.

And to add to the fundraiser, if the final price is $1350 or more, Darr will make another painting immediately available for an additional auction for No on Prop 8.

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If you want to continue adding to the effort, there is a list of promotions offered by these blogmistresses.  

In my case, if a business or blog donates $100 or more to No On 8, you receive a week of free ad space on the Blend. If you donate $500 or more, you will get a month of free space on my blog -- and a Pam's House Blend T-shirt or mug. A month-long ad at Pam’s House Blend and Lesbiatopia amounts to 550,000 ad impressions.

In order to receive your free items you will need to contact the individual bloggers that you would like merchandise or ad space from, and in the case of ads, to receive the appropriate free ad codes to enter when you set up your BlogAd:

Grace Chu: gracethespot(at)gmail.com (Grace the Spot)
Pam Spaulding: pam(at)phblend.com (Pam's House Blend)
Renee Gannon: reneegannon(at)gmail.com (Lesbiatopia)
Dorothy Snarker: dorothysnarker(at)yahoo.com (Dorothy Surrenders)
Lori Hahn: lori(at)hahnathome.com (Hahn at Home)
Kelly Leszczynski: goldstardyke(at)gmail.com (The Lesbian Lifestyle)
Sinclair Sexsmith: aspiringstud(at)gmail.com (Sugarbutch Chronicles)
Marie [Riese] Lyn Bernard: marielyn176(at)gmail.com (This Girl Called Automatic Win)

Our first donor via PHB has claimed an ad for the effort - reader Chino Blanco's statement of support will run on the Blend:

If you wish to donate your free ad space to an organization fighting for LGBT equality, please let us -- and your target organization -- know.