TEMECULA -- The election may be over, but the battle continues.

About 100 local residents took to the streets of Temecula on Sunday afternoon to protest the passage of Proposition 8, which outlawed same-sex marriage and was approved with 52.5 percent of the vote during last month's election.

Demonstrators called for equality and civil rights for gays and lesbians, as well as worked to send a signal to Southwest County that there is a vocal and good-sized contingent of residents in the community who support gay marriage, despite the area's conservative tendencies.

In Riverside County, the proposition passed by a large margin -- nearly 65 percent voted in favor of the measure, according to the registrar of voter's Web site.

"We live in such a conservative area," said Temecula resident Laurie Webster, 42, as she took part in the rally. "It's helpful that people realize there are liberal people in this area. I want my kids to realize everyone deserves equal opportunities."

The march was organized by the local chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, a national nonprofit organization that works to support and defend the homosexual community.

Many similar -- although much larger -- protests have been held across the state since the Nov. 4 election in places such as Escondido, San Diego, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Sacramento and San Francisco.

Temecula's protest drew families pushing toddlers in strollers, teenagers, activists, teachers and others.

It began at the corner of Ynez and Winchester roads, with protesters holding signs stating phrases such as "Did you cast a vote or throw a stone?" and "Don't hide behind your Bible while you hate and discriminate."

The group then marched south along Ynez Road, chanting phrases such as "equal rights" and "gay, straight, black, white -- marriage is a civil right."

When they reached Temecula's Duck Pond Park, several protesters offered words of encouragement from the back of a pickup that had been turned into a makeshift stage, complete with a sound system and speakers.

Moreno Valley resident Gene Moynier told the crowd that he grew up in Temecula and spent those years feeling oppressed and unable to express who he really is. He said it's shocking and encouraging to see a gay-rights rally in Temecula today.

"Thank you guys for changing this town," he said. "Slowly but surely, it's going to happen."

He also spoke about the recent election results.

"The election said I lose, but I don't think there is anything more democratic than standing up against injustice," he said.

Another speaker at the event, Vincent, vice president of the local chapter of the gay and lesbian support group and a teacher, encouraged the crowd to feel empowered by President-elect Barack Obama and fight for their civil rights.

He declined to give his last name, saying he feared retaliation from his school board and district administrators.

"We are in a civil rights movement and we will not give up," he said to the group, prompting cheers. "United we stand, silent we fall."

In an interview, he said many people consider this region "the Bible belt" of Southern California.

"The sad thing is, many of us are religious," he said. "By no means are we against Christianity or any religious group. Many of us are Catholics, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, and our churches accept us without discrimination."

He said the goal of the demonstration was to bring attention to their cause and march in support of love and equality.

"Our hearts are still dealing with the pain," he said, referring to the success of Prop. 8.

Among the crowd was Althea Ingram and Theresa Greenway, who have been partners for 27 years and were married Oct. 3. They took part in the event with Ingram's daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren, ages 12, 13 and 17.

"My goal is to bring visibility to the fact that there is a large number of gays and lesbians who live in Temecula Valley," said Ingram, 64, of Murrieta.

"This is the grassroots for that, that can build into something where lesbians and gays, and the parents of lesbians and gays, can come together."

She said she is waiting to find out what the proposition's passage will mean for her marriage and the other 18,000 California couples who tied the knot after a state Supreme Court ruling overturned a ban on same-sex marriage earlier in the year.

While the protesters garnered their share of support in the way of horn honks, there was some opposition to their effort.

As they marched down Ynez Road, some people exiting the Souplantation called out to the group that the election is over and "the people have spoken."

"I didn't vote for Obama, but you don't see me protesting," said Matt Saltzman, 20, of Temecula.

He said homosexuality has been around for millions of years, but never same-sex marriage.

"Things need to stay somewhat the same here," he said. "Our country was founded on Christian beliefs."

His brother, 21-year-old Jon Saltzman, said same-sex marriage has now been voted down twice in this state, referring to a similar successful proposition that outlawed same-sex marriage in California in 2000.

"How many times are we going to have to vote on this," he said. "They say they want equality, but they don't want equality. They are taking our equality of voting rights away from us (by continually taking the issue to judges to overturn)."

After the measure passed, legal efforts to overturn Prop. 8 were jump-started.

Currently, a lawsuit before the state Supreme Court claims the law violates civil rights and should not be enforced.

Temecula's protest also prompted a bit of a counter-protest by six people, who stood at the corner of Ynez and Rancho California roads with "Yes on Prop. 8" signs as the group marched by.

They said they learned of the protest through the Internet and wanted to make sure there were signs in support of traditional marriage out at the same time.

"We are not conceding the field," said Menifee resident Michael Gerardi, 49, one of the counter-protesters. "The message is out there. They know Prop. 8 won. And we are not going to keep quiet about it."