Same-sex marriage opponents set to turn in first petitions

One-third of names due Thursday, the rest by June 30

Yvonne Overstreet, a registered Republican who voted for Obama and will support him again, also signed. "I'm trying to live by biblical values," the 52-year old explained. The president's support for gay marriage didn't move her. "I'm just concerned about the economy," she said.

Not all were willing to discuss their views publicly. "I have friends who are gay and lesbian," said a middle-aged woman, explaining that she didn't want them to see her name in the newspaper and be offended by her views.

(It's unclear that she'll be able to hide those views. The list of those who sign the petitions is public information. In the in-state tuition campaign, activists posted the names online.)

Also telling Wednesday was who refused to sign. An interracial couple wanted nothing to do with the effort. They saw parallels between lingering taboos surrounding their own relationship and attitudes toward gay marriage.

"We were the last hot topic," joked Nick Reynolds, 22, as he put his arm around his 21-year-old girlfriend, Xandria Woolsey. "Love is love."

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