March in November

On Saturday, I went to an Anti-Prop 8 rally in Downtown Los Angeles. There were a LOT of people there, and it was nice to see an overwhelming showing of not only gays, but straight people, too (identified by their signs proclaiming their straightness and support of gays).

The rally began around 10:30am with speeches that went on until about noon. Lots of different people spoke, from LGBT leaders to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to Xena, Warrior Princess and Ricki Lake. I think most affecting was a straight girl who was raised by two homosexual fathers and a lesbian mother.


Later, I marched with David and his coworkers from Dr. Fresh. His friend Ele made signs with his boyfriend, which we took turns holding up. I held one for a while, but those things are heavy =) There were lots of cool posters, but it was hard to catch them all. This one of Homer Simpson was kinda cute.

I think we quit about half-way through the march to eat at the super spicy ramen place in Little Tokyo. I thought the rally was pretty cool... it was nice being part of something that was so important to people and I enjoyed the feeling of unity. I thought the speakers did a great job of trying to get everyone to come together and not let misguided anger divide the community.

I came home tonight and my mom asked, "So is it true that gays are throwing rocks through church windows? I heard some even took away some woman's cross!" Well, first of all, it's not like I get a newsletter emailed to me, updating me on all the gay activities throughout the land. But secondly, it irks me that 1) Some gay people push things too far and give the cause a bad name... their own intolerance ends up making the community look like hypocrites. and 2) That people will take these isolated examples and use it to generalize the gays and lesbian movement as violent and irrational. Gay people aren't saints, but I hate it when the actions of a few allow bigots a chance to slam the entire group. I wish the speeches at the rally could have been televised... for the most part, they were logical, heartfelt, passionate and inclusive of all groups -- gay/straight, black/white, religious/non-religious, etc. I hope their message somehow finds its way to people like Bill O'Reilly -- who disgustingly try to pit one group against the other. I look forward to going to another rally... and also to a time when we don't have to have these rallies.