Politics | gay marriage Obama May Get Out the Anti-Gay Marriage Vote Obama candidacy may bring out conservative black vote on Prop. 8 By Drew Nelles Posted Sep 21, 2008 4:04 PM CDT Copied Proposition 8 supporter Rick Yorgason, right, asks voter Kevin Patel, left, about his thoughts on gay marriage during a poll of voters in Elk Grove, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Steve Yeater) See 1 more photo Black voters energized by Barack Obama’s candidacy may also support a Californian ballot measure to ban same-sex marriage, the New York Times reports, though Obama himself opposes the ban. Opponents and supporters of Proposition 8 say African Americans will play a crucial role, and each side is trying to win over black voters. Blacks will heavily support the measure, one pro-ban campaigner says, and “to the extent that they are motivated to get to the polls, whether by this issue or by Barack Obama, it helps us.” But opponents try to frame the debate in terms of civil rights. “Gay people are black and black people are gay,” one says. “And if you are voting conservative on an anti-gay ballot measure, you are hurting the black community.” Read These Next New Fox star, 23, misses first day after car troubles. Iran's supreme leader makes first public comments since ceasefire. Man accused of killing his daughters might be dead. Her blood isn't compatible with anyone else's. See 1 more photo Report an error