The passage of California's Proposition 8, which effectively bans gay marriage in that state, has sent shock waves through the gay and lesbian community across the United States.

Although the State of Minnesota is not directly affected by the amendment, many across the Northlanders joined together to protest the measure.

Speaking out were more than one hundred protestors from all walks of life: young and old, students and professionals, and gay and straight.

Tate Haglund-Pagel says "When I met my wife and the happiness we have gotten out of you know being married and being each others partners for ever I don't understand why two men or two women can't have the same happiness."

The California law has no bearing on any other state's laws in regards to gay marriage or civil unions, and in fact several other states have legalized gay marriage.

But protestors say just because the law only affects California, doesn't mean Minnesota residents shouldn't still be concerned.

Minden Anderson says "If it's not going to pass in California, it makes me concerned it's not going to pass some where else and so we need to be out here showing that we do not agree with the decision that was made in California."

Many opponents of gay marriage cite religious reasons for their opposition, but members of local churches were also in attendance at the protest.

They say religion and gay marriage are compatible.

Therese Presley says "I believe all religions not just churches, all religions believe in love and god is love and a true marriage commitment is based on love so I don't see anything incompatible with that."

Those in attendance see the gay marriage controversy not as "gays versus straights" or "homosexuality versus religion", but rather as a civil rights issue.

Keith Berry says"I think this day is less about age and more about all Americans coming together to be united and taking a closer look at the constitution and see where we've fallen behind for a long time."

The California Supreme Court is expected to look at the constitutionality of Proposition 8 in the near future.

The Duluth Proposition protest was part of a growing trend of organizing events through social networking sites like Myspace and Facebook.

In fact, the word was spread about the protests across the country predominately thru the internet.