California's Proposition 8 and Internet Activism
YouTube Becomes Breeding Ground for Debate Over Same-Sex Marriage
Sep 29, 2008
In a nation that is becoming more technologically competent, if not down-right obsessed, politicians and political junkies are finding innovative ways to reach broad audiences. In a time when presidential-hopeful John McCain has been teased and criticized for having only a rudimentary understanding of email, Senator Barack Obama has jumped ahead with many young voters due to campaign efforts on popular websites such as Facebook and YouTube.
In this election year, however, the online effort to garner votes is stretching well beyond the campaigns of presidential hopefuls. In California, the technological revolution is certainly playing a part in the debate over Proposition 8, the proposed ban on gay marriage. Supporters on both sides of the bill are making use of YouTube to inform, persuade, and convert.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
As the old adage says, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” This could not be more true when it comes to election time. There are always politicians taking photos with babies and A-list celebrities who step up to the microphone to endorse one candidate over another. This year, even the supporters and opponents of Proposition 8 are getting in on the action through videos of babies and celebrities that are making their way onto YouTube and other internet sites.
All Those in Favor, All Those Against
These uses of children and celebrities seem to be braving new and experimental ground, making the incorporation of kids and famous folks more emotionally-charged this year than past elections would have suggested.
In fact, children have become political capital, like never before. Those in favor of the ban on gay marriage have turned to videos of families with a mother and a father, holding and hugging their baby in an effort to reinforce ideas about reproduction and who should raise children. Conversely, in some ads, the children are portrayed as standing alone in order to highlight their innocence and need for the protection of a traditional family. Those in favor of Prop 8 seem to indicate, through the use of children, that a vote in favor of the ban on same-sex marriage is a vote in favor of protecting families. Videos with these images, which have been produced by church groups, political groups, and even concerned citizens, have been appearing by the dozens and the site has become a popular place to showcase these images for a broad audience.
But, it's not just those in favor of traditional marriage who have made use of the baby PR phenomenon. Those who oppose the ban on gay marriage have also enlisted some children to make their point that same-sex parents can be just as loving and effective as heterosexual couples. However, those who oppose the ban on gay marriage have largely taken the fight beyond the realm of babies and children and have entered into the land of celebrities and public service announcements. In these cases, the celebrities have also become political fodder. For example, the celebrities which have been chosen to represent the campaign have been carefully selected to represent varied and diverse backgrounds, appearing more like the average American than the familiar and well-worn A-list movie star representatives. Many of these individuals, including Amy Brenneman, Tyne Daly, Heather Matarazzo, Camryn Manheim, and Sara Ramirez would be more readily classified as B or even C-list celebs. Yet, they have one thing in common: they are activists with strong convictions. This helps them to make their case that “love is love, but domestic partnership is not marriage" in the “PSA No to Proposition 8.”
Conclusion
Ultimately, what these videos teach us is that although photos and videos of chidlren and celebrities will continue to play an active part in the effort to shape public opinion, the television ads of the past are quickly being outpaced by ads that can be easily uploaded onto user-friendly sites, such as YouTube. The possibility for multiple perspectives has grown as the internet has gained momentum as a tool with which showcase these displays, yet it seems that the purpose of electioneering - to push the envelope, pull on heartstrings, and attempt to persuade undecided voters - remains unchanged.
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