Chaos Managed

Before I left to go to the court house I watched this video. 

Keith Olbermann 11/10/08

I really wasn't sure what to expect.  The weather outside had turned to snow and rain and by the time Steph and I walked from the car to the site my hands were cold and the signs were looking draggled.  We got there about twenty after one with the rally slated to begin at 1:30 and there were perhaps five other people there, huddled under the porch out of the rain and waiting.  Shortly after we arrived the news crews showed up and people began asking who was in charge.  I ended up being interviewed by one station.  He got a close up of my sign, miced me and asked what we were here for and why.  I explained about the nationwide protests and kept to simple answers about why I believe in this cause.  Simply put I believe in love, which is what my sign said.  He asked if I was gay, I told him no, not wanting to complicate the, Bisexual-poly bit.  I explained that I was married and that gay marriage would not harm my marriage in any way.  Simple and calm and as personable as I could be. He also asked for my name and the spelling there of. 

The protest was positive.  There was no rhetoric against anyone.  We stood in the rain, waved signs and flags and chanted slogans.  I started one as "2,4,6,8; Love does not discriminate." At 2 pm we observed a moment of silence for the rights that have been taken away.  I passed out bubbles to people and bubbles flew throughout the protest.  We had some speakers, and many eloquent things were said.  The most poignant of those was the man who flew in from LA.  He pointed to a gold ring on his left hand and said:  "I am married." 

People gawked as we chanted.  People honked in support and there were a few hecklers.  We did not have a counter protesting group which helped.  There was also no police presence.  Towards the end Steph and I pressed hot coco on people and shared names and hugs.  I've set my pictures up in my flickr site and a short video on youtube.  We left after 3 hours of being rained and snowed on with frozen feet and wet beneath our wool coats.  But we left with people still there, still arriving (although tapering off in numbers) and still in fine mettle and spirit.  Again I urge people to call congress at the national and state levels.  Politely and firmly we will make our voices heard on January 21st. 


Edited to add:  http://www.daytondailynews.com/p/content/gen/sharedoh/photos_galleries/news/nation-world/111608gayrally.html  More pictures.  I am also hearing that protest were held in England, Canada and Australia.