I'm definitely in favor of marriage equality, but I am certainly not in favor of protesters like these:
http://www.kpsplocal2.com/...
Be sure to watch the video. While the worst offenders were only a fraction of the crowd, their actions are what made the news and ended up in the living rooms of countless people, some of whom might have been undecided about the issue. What do you suppose they think about marriage equality now?
How not to protest:
First, do not act like hooligans while in front of a TV camera, or when not in front of a TV camera.
Second, do not yell like madmen at old women who hold beliefs different from your own while in front of a TV camera, or when not in front of a TV camera.
Third, do not damage the property of old women protesting your protest while in front of a TV camera, or when not in front of a TV camera..
Fourth, do not drown out speech you don't like with mindless shouting (it's much harder to make a counterargument if your opponent can't even make their argument!) while in front of a TV camera, or when not in front of a TV camera.
Fifth, do not waste your time parading around in front of government buildings.
It's okay to be angry. It's great to want to do something.
It's important to direct your energy towards a solution.
How to protest:
Get out in the streets and talk to people about why Prop 8 is wrong.
Get out in the streets and explain to people what marriage equality can mean for same-sex couples.
Get out in the streets and argue against the notion that an individual must vote on issues of law in line with their religion.
This isn't about getting all the opponents of Prop 8 together for rallies and marches. This is about doing exactly what the grass roots did for Obama: go door to door and spread the good word.
One of the core tenets of Christianity is to spread the word of God to those who have not received it. Let's take a page from the Bible and spread the word of marriage equality to those who have not received it. Seek out the people who voted yes and persuade them that same-sex marriage is okay.
Don't insult, belittle, or deride them. That approach never wins allies. Look what happened to the Republicans this year: they ran negative across the board and independents swung left. Using that same tactic against the right to get same-sex marriage passed in California or anywhere is bound to fail.
Wake up, America!
Smile, be positive, and when you knock on the door of that couple down the street with the "Yes on 8" sign in their yard, be prepared for a long conversation or a short one. No matter how it plays out, don't steal their sign! Conservatives think passing a law against gay marriage will somehow make all homosexuals disappear. We all know that won't work any better than stealing "Yes on 8" signs will make Prop 8 disappear.
By the time the next election rolls around, we'll need a strong majority in favor of same-sex marriage, or else the Mormons and whoever else are going to whip up enough of a stir to beat it down again.