Thousands rally for same-sex marriage in California

Chat R. Warner, of the Bible Believers Los Angeles Chapter, shouts at supporters of same-sex marriage during a counter-protest downtown.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles Police Department officials estimated 10,000 to 12,000 people showed up for the Proposition 8 protest Saturday -- a much smaller crowd than the 40,000 people police had expected.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

LAPD officers stake out positions for their horses in anticipation of the rally.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Couple Mark Trigg, left, and Pierre Alexandre Kabalan show their support of same-sex marriage.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Members of the nonprofit group Cheer LA perform as Proposition 8 protesters march along Main Street in downtown Los Angeles. Supporters of same-sex marriage organized rallies across the country in what many say is the latest incarnation of the civil rights movement.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

About 200 upporters of same-sex marriage rallied Saturday at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.  (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)

A Proposition 8 opponent holds a sign comparing the gay marriage issue to racial segregation. Equal rights was a prominent mantra at Saturday’s rallies.  (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)

Police officers escort Rueben Israel, of Bible Believers, to a neutral zone in front of City Hall. Despite the vigorous debate between supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage, the rallies remained peaceful.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Hank Donat holds a sign during a rally against the passage of Proposition 8 in San Francisco. In addition to the San Francisco, L.A. and Costa Mesa events, there was a protest in Sacramento that drew about 1,500 people to the Capitol.  (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)