I have begun to wonder whether the folks who persist in these idiotic, counter-productive protests against the victorious Prop 8 are more interested in self-righteousness than in marriage equality. Police in riot gear had to be called to the El Coyote Mexican Cafe on Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles last night, where a restaurant manager, a Mormon, committed the grievous sin of expressing her religious views and giving $100 to Yes on 8.

The manager in question was wrong to vote the way she did, but I don't think targeting her is going to change any minds. If anything, it's likely hardening attitudes against same-sex marriage. And there's anecdotal evidence that it's turning off even those who folks who support same-sex marriage and voted No on 8. (As she peered into my eyes yesterday, my optometrist said that she and her husband had voted No on 8 but were upset by the targeting of El Coyote, a favorite eatery of theirs).. Could these protests, rather than producing shame in Yes on 8 supporters, produce embarassment in those on the side of the protestors? More protests are expected tomorrow in California, including a major event in downtown Los Angeles.

Here's a more constructive approach. At this point, some sort of apology from No on 8's leading supporters should be issued to churches that have been targeted. (Among other things, the FBI is investigating white powder that closed the Mormon temple in Los Angeles yesterday). The energy now being wasted on protests should be focused on two areas: 1. protecting the marriages of the estimated 18,000 gay couples who tied the knot in the past five months and 2. formulating a new strategy to repeal Prop 8 at the ballot box in 2010. On this second point, even if the courts strike down Prop 8, there will be some kind of vote on the same-sex marriage issue in 2010 -- either another attempt by Prop 8 supporters to enact a ban, or perhaps an effort to have a justice of state supreme court removed from the bench. It is crucial that same-sex marriage supporters win that next election, whatever it is.