Bigots Live Here

As the Prop 8 battle has turned into a tit-for-tat madness of thousands of stolen yards signs (on both sides), one San Jose lesbian couple is protesting their neighbors in unique fashion.

For the past three days, Michele and Bob Sundstrom and their five children have been painfully aware of the SUV parked in front of their house with a message painted on the rear windshield that says: "Bigots live here."

Their neighborhood near Blossom Hill Road has suddenly become the center of a political tempest over Proposition 8, the ballot measure to ban same-sex marriage. The Sundstroms said they were stunned on Sunday afternoon when two women parked a Chevrolet Suburban in front of their home and began painting slogans on the SUV to counter the family's huge "Protect Marriage Yes on 8 banner'' hanging above their garage. "Stop Bigots,'' one window read. "God Hates Haters,'' read another.

"All I see when I look at that vehicle is venom and hate,'' said Bob Sundstrom, who said he tried to speak to the women, who walked away and left the SUV behind. The drama playing out in front of Sundstroms' house on Harwood Road appears to reflect an emerging trend. Supporters and opponents report a growing lack of civility and tensions running high throughout the state as Election Day nears.

The Sundstroms called police but were told there was no crime, and nothing they could do to move the SUV — except wait. If the vehicle is not moved within 72 hours, sometime this afternoon, it can be towed.

The Sundstroms, a Mormon family, claim that they support civil unions for gays, but not the "redefinition of marriage." According to the linked story, Yes On 8 is claiming that more than 200,000 of their $2 yard signs have been stolen. No On 8 is also reporting massive thefts of yard signs.