SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego City Council voted 6-2 Monday to oppose Proposition 8, a statewide measure before voters next week that would prohibit same-sex marriages.

Without explaining why, council members Brian Maienschein and Tony Young cast the dissenting votes.

Following 15 minutes of speeches on both sides of the issue, Councilwoman Toni Atkins, who married her longtime partner Jennifer LeSar last month, said same-sex couples deserve equal rights.

"The LGBT community members are taxpayers too. We are parents. Many of us attend our churches," Atkins said. "Democracy includes us too."

Councilman Jim Madaffer agreed, arguing that same-sex marriage is a civil rights issue.

"It really is wrong to deny civil rights to a person or group just because of what traditions might accept," he said.

Proposition 8 would change the California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry and would define marriage as between a man and a woman only.

Thirteen months ago, the City Council joined cities around the state in signing an amicus brief, or so-called "friend-of-the-court" resolution in support of gay marriage.

The California Supreme Court later overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriages. Those opposed to the court's decision put Proposition 8 on the ballot seeking to restore the prohibition.