I was among the several hundred that turned out to counter-protest the final stop in DC of Nation of Marriage's Summer Bus tour opposing marriage equality.
Inside, a photo diary of some of the people, clever signage and points that were made. (Warning, graphics heavy.)
I don't believe the pursuit of marriage equality is a distraction or a concern only of "the elites."
We saw in the healthcare reform debate how separate but equal strategies can work out. Measures that might have helped level the financial playing field for LGBT Americans, very quickly transformed into a bargaining chip, and were hastily traded away. As has happened countless times before the LGBT constituency of the Democratic party was expected to quietly take one for the team. So long as our needs are segregated, we can be shaved off.
There are no if, ands or buts associated with the ultimate goal of full Federal recognition of same-sex marriage.
And I believe marriage equality wins strike at the very core from which all other equality issues emanate: society and our government's refusal to recognize our families as valid and worthy of respect. Every day, LGBT citizens are denied the same respect opposite sex couples take for granted.
Merely acknowledging your family to your employer is reason enough to be fired. Acknowledge your family to your fellow troops or your CO, and regardles how exemplary your service has been, you get rewarded with a discharge.
In matters of immigration our government still stubbornly refuses to provide any legal mechanism for LGBT binational families to stay intact. The message from DC is loud and clear: your families do not matter, your government is indifferent to your desire to remain with the people you love, and America is better off sending a foreign gays and lesbians back where they came from.
Changing that paradigm is why I rally.
Ten year old Will Phillips, who created a sensation by refusing the cite the pledge of allegiance in his Arkansas school until liberty and justice applied to all Americans, was a big hit. His dad was there, and truly a very cool guy. Will's lucky to have a dad like that.
Here's a video snippet:
And youth turned out. These two girls were there to support one girl's lesbian mom. They were clearly having the time of their lives.
Many straight allies turned out to show their support.
National Organization for Women had a presence as well.
At the NOM event, Harry Jackson told marriage equality opponents the initiative was the work of "gay, white, rich bullies." (See how rich, white and mean we are?)
Jason Jasper Hendricks from the National Black Justice Coalition fired up the crowd with a barn-burner speech. "Yell! Let your cries for equality be heard from the Freedom Plaza all the way to the steps of the Capital Building and White House." The crowd complied.
At the NOM podium, Jackson went on to say equality advocates find support for marriage equality "in the fine print of the Constitution." (Horrors. How dare we read the Consitution closely! See how unreasonable we are?!)
I'm the creamy, white center in a Gregory and Jonathan sandwich. Gregory and Johnathan rose to national prominence by coming in second in Crate & Barrel's "Ultimate Wedding" contest (the date is set for April 2011, congrats!). Such cuties.
Jonathan and Gregory spoke to the crowd. The pairs' activism is fueled by Jonathan falling victim by a hate crime assault several years ago.
Mara Keisling, executive director of National Center for Transgender Equality, chats with supporters after addressing the crowd. A list of participating organizations can be found here.
I was also thrilled to finally meet one of my sheros, White House correspondent from the Advocate magazine Kerry Eleveld. We've been cyberpals for long time.
Paul Crist spoke to the crowd about the government's denial of LGBT families equity in immigration. Three years ago, he married his partner of eight years in Massachusetts. He now lives apart from his husband, Luis Tello, a Mexican citizen who returned to his country of origin when the couple's legal options to remain together in the US ran out. Crist's marriage license means nothing to the DHS.
Some supporters cite findings of fact from Judge Walker's historic Prop 8 decision.
A commentary on intersectionality. Beautiful sign, beautiful sentiment.
My own message to NOM and marriage equality opponents: