Bowie Teens Advocate for Question 6

They may be too young to vote in this election, but that didn’t stop a group of about half a dozen Bowie High School students for advocating for Question 6 outside of their high school polling location this afternoon.

“Everybody should have the right to get married and everyone should have the right to be happy,” said 16-year-old junior, Gabrielle Sparks.

Her friends agreed.

“People of the same gender getting married isn't affecting anyone else,” Kyle Parker, also 16, said.

When Sparks saw a traditional marriage advocate opposing Question 6 last week during early voting, and no same-sex marriage advocates in sight, she decided to stand up for what she believed was right.

“I got a poster board and pen and stood up with a sign and it was kind of awesome,” said Sparks.

Today, Sparks’ mom dropped her off at Bowie High on her day off from school, where she and several of her friends decided to wave signs supporting marriage equality again.

Parker decided to advocate for question six after two of his classmates said they did not want to see two gay people walking down the street with rings on their fingers.

“Last week, I was dealing with two boys in my class who were standing against us and no one was speaking up,” said Parker.

Parker, who has gay family members, decided to speak up on Election Day and advocate for same-sex marriage.

The group of students waved signs proclaiming “God values love not hate. Vote 4 Q 6” and “Support your future generations. Vote Yes on 6!” while waving at cars, who were honking and giving them “thumbs up” in return.

“I’m out here because I’m gay myself and if my straight and bisexual friends can come out and support my rights, than so can I,” 15-year-old Jordan Crisler said. Crisler’s mom dropped him off after taking him with her when she voted in support of same-sex marriage earlier today. 

The students, all of whom were dropped off by their parents with their blessings, planned to stand out on Annapolis Road in front of Bowie High until about 3:30 p.m. today.