The crowd came together Saturday, not only to protest California's ban on gay marriage, but also the passage of  Act I in Arkansas, which prohibits any unmarried live-in couple from adopting or fostering Arkansas children.

(Crowd of protesters in front of Capital) "Gay, straight, black, white marriage is a civil right."

Holding home painted signs and American flags, protesters stood at the foot of the capitol steps Saturday, voicing their opposition to the passage of Propositions 8 in California and Act I in Arkansas.

(Joe Lafountaine) "We're here to show solidarity that everyone has basic civil rights that it is not appropriate for these ballot initiatives to limit the constitutional rights of our people."

Participants specifically spoke out about Act I, which makes it impossible for unmarried, cohabiting couples to adopt or foster Arkansas children.

(Sarah Scalon/Barb L'eplattenier, Protesters) "That decision should not be based on the beliefs of a few conservative votes who think that the fact I love my wife is wrong."

But supporters of Act I say the act is not about discrimination.

(Jerry Cox, Family Council Action Committee) "It's not discriminatory because we're protecting the welfare of children and so there's nothing discriminatory about protecting kids, that's what this is about."

Act I passed in Arkansas by a vote of 57 percent to 43 percent.

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