Prop 8 Protest Information Thread

[BarTopDancer]

I think it would be easier to keep the various protest information in one location. At least it would be for me anyways ;)

FRIDAY for our SoCal Contingent

FRIDAY NIGHT - 7pm Intersection of Broadway and Redondo (near the Library CoffeeHouse) in Belmont Heights. We need a large amount of people to completely blocks the intersection and start marching down Broadway to completely CLOSE DOWN the street. Contact your list, email, text, telephone, etc...let each other know WE WILL NOT TOLERATE THIS INJUSTICE! Find parking ahead of time either down the route, or in the neighborhoods that stage starts in. I recommend the Broadway bus Route 111/112 if you're starting with us, The little Red bus down Ocean and off at Redondo, then walk three blocks north.

FRIDAY NIGHT (Second Stage) - 7:30-7:45pm Intersection of Broadway and Junipero in Bluff Heights. Come join us and walk with us to the next rallying point. Show your peers that they need to join in on the struggle for EQUAL RIGHTS. We will continue to March down Broadway and pull people from the bars to march with us. We will encourage people shopping and dining to join us in our statement to the State of California that THIS IS WRONG! Again, parking will be tight, so arrive EARLY. The park is a great spot to ditch the car while you walk. The OCean little red bus works too, as does the 4th Street bus.

FRIDAY NIGHT (Third and Final Stage) - 8:15 - 8:30pm Intersection of Broadway and Alamitos in Bluff Heights (near Hamburger Marys) We will start the last leg of our march to PIne Ave and down to Ocean Blvd. WE WILL BE HEARD TOMORROW NIGHT. Bring signs, candles, comfortable shoes to march in. Encourage friends and family, gay and straight alike to join us. WE NEED TO MAKE A POWERFUL PRESENCE tomorrow night. All bus routes apply here. Parking IS a bear downtown, but we're on a mission....find a way!

The organizers of NO ON PROP 8 have been notified, and we need WAY MORE PEOPLE!! THANK YOU ALL for joining in our efforts to hear our loud voices heard. Please please please be peaceful. No altercations our vandalism during the march. We're marching through OUR main neighborhoods, we wish to make a positive statement, not an unruly one.

Copy and paste this to your friends, families, blog it, broadcast it, text it, email it, just get the word out.

Parking and Area Information from Lisa

Parking is a problem, but there are neighborhoods that you may be able to find parking in. Be prepared to walk. You might have luck parking at Cherry Park which is between Broadway and Ocean (E/W) and Junipero and Cherry ((E/W). There are no lots downtown, but there are many on 2nd street and you can take a bus from there.

FRIDAY for our UT Contingent
Notice for the SLC protest:

Not since the Stonewall Riots of 1969 in New York have we as a
community really stood up for our rights in a determined way. Our
Pride Parades are an event, not a protest. Our court battles are
fought by few while we watch from the comfort of our living rooms.
Our petitions we sign while shopping online.

Society as a whole underestimates us. They underestimate our size.
They underestimate our determination. They underestimate our
conviction. They underestimate our power. Now is the time that we
need to remind them.

This week the religious activists in California decided to take our
civil rights, which they take for granted, and they put it up for a
majority vote. Even more despicable than voting to take away rights
of a minority is the fact that major religions, especially the Mormon
Church, dedicated, and in some instances mandated, that their members
dedicate time and money to passing this discriminatory cause.
We'll march around Temple Square and the Church Office Building. Let's
show them that we are many, that we are powerful, and that we will not
sit idle as they force their religion into our lives and into national
politics.

Please show up with your posters, flags and banners (and dress
warmly!) Will meet on State Street and North Temple. Bring your
friends and your relatives.

Pass this message along to EVERYONE you know who has any respect for
the rights of other people. Let's show the Church that we've had
enough of their political influence in our lifes!

SATURDAY

Date:Saturday, November 8, 2008
Time:2:00pm - 5:00pm
Location:Huntington Beach Pier
Street:PCH and Main
City/Town:Huntington Beach, CA

We will be holding a peaceful rally to oppose Proposition 8 and show our support for having this discriminatory statute overturned this Saturday, November 8th at the Huntington Beach Pier at 2 pm. We need to ban together to show we will not let this issue rest. Civil rights are being denied to same sex couples in California and we need to let our elected officials know we aren't going to tolerate it. Please pass the word on and join us this Saturday.

SUNDAY

This peaceful protest will take place this Sunday (November 9th) at 10AM PST. Please spread the word!! Prop 8 is unfair and unconstitutional.

Why Saddleback?
Rick Warren of Saddleback Church came out publicly in an email to his congregation telling them to Vote Yes on 8.
In exit polling Christians voted 66% for Yes on 8.
Saddleback is also a VERY well known church and one of the largest in the country. It's a great place to have our voices heard and be seen.

Please bring your friends - gay or straight. Christian or not. All who support marriage equality are encouraged to come show their support in front of one of the largest churches in America. Bring your signs if you have them!

LOCATION: 1 Saddleback Pkwy, Lake Forest, CA

[innerSpaceman]

Is there still going to be another protest at the Mormon Temple, crack of dawn (6:30 a.m.) tomorrow (Saturday, November 8)??

[Not Afraid]

I'm leaving do dog walks but am available by phone. Chris is going to try to get out early so he can join us. I've mobilized a bunch of other LB folks.

[blueerica]

FRIDAY for our UT Contingent




Or... me. Haha! I've gotten a couple of co-workers to go to the big Temple one... :)

[innerSpaceman]

I love you blueerica.







But then, sigh, I've alwaysloved you. :iSm:

[Kevy Baby]

But then, sigh, I've alwaysloved you. :iSm:When did Whitney Houston show up?

[blueerica]

*deleted* HAHA--- Wrong THREAD!!!

[Moonliner]

With this many threads showing up, someone somewhere better be handing out free Starbucks coffee.

[Kevy Baby]

I am not sure where to post this, so I will post it here. It is something I thought about this morning.

One often sees a union picketing and will have a continuous loop of people walking a sidewalk. They will walk v e r y s l o w l y, especially when crossing the driveway (thereby really messing up peoples motation into and out of said facility).

I think it would be great to organize people to walk picket lines in front of the driveways of the Mormon temple. For extended periods of time, but PARTICULARLY focused on when they have their services/meetings.

How does one (with no time on his hands) communicate this to the world (and not just the world of LoT)?

[Cadaverous Pallor]

How does one (with no time on his hands) communicate this to the world (and not just the world of LoT)?I'd say find sites with groups that are protesting and post it. I was just reading about protest rights (http://www.democrats.com/right-to-protest) and without a permit we are limited to the sidewalk, and can't obstruct people or traffic, so your idea may be an issue.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Just got this via Facebook:

No On Prop 8 Protest Vigil -
Costa Mesa, Friday 11/7 9pm
South Coast Plaza @ Bristol Street & Town Center Drive


No On Prop 8 Protest Rally -
Huntington Beach, Saturday 11/8 2pm
Huntington Beach Pier, Huntington Beach


No On Prop 8 Protest March & Vigil -
Laguna Beach, Saturday 11/8 5:30pm
City Hall 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach
Marching to Main Beach from City Hall


No On Prop 8 Candlelight Vigil -
Rancho Santa Margarita, Sunday 11/9 5-8pm
Lake Santa Margarita, Santa Margarita Pkwy, Rancho Santa Margarita
Some candles can be provided depending on the turn out, but please plan to bring your own just in case. Bring as many friends as you can.
Bring a good attitude, too!
We will begin at the south side of RSM lake and probably plan a course down Santa Margarita Pkwy.

Contact: teenageanthem@gmail.com


No On Prop 8 Protest -
Irvine, Thursday 11/13 4:30pm
Corner of Campus & Culver Drive, Irvine
Marching to Culver & Alton

[Kevy Baby]

I'd say find sites with groups that are protesting and post it. I was just reading about protest rights (http://www.democrats.com/right-to-protest) and without a permit we are limited to the sidewalk, and can't obstruct people or traffic, so your idea may be an issue.I think as long as one continues to move, there is the magical "gray area" about obstructing traffic.

From that link:
SPECIFIC PROBLEMS

Q. If organizers have not obtained a permit, where can a march take place?
A. If marchers stay on the sidewalks and obey traffic and pedestrian signals, their activity is constitutionally protected even without a permit. Marchers may be required to allow enough space on the sidewalk for normal pedestrian traffic and may not maliciously obstruct or detain passers-by.As long as one continues to walk across the driveway, albeit slowly, I think one stays within the bounds of the law. It serves the intended idea, which is to annoy.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I'm torn. Fight our way into LB tonight to join our friends, or add to the small but growing voice in OC at the Costa Mesa event.

[BarTopDancer]

I think I'll be at the CM event, it may not be until closer to 10, but I'm pretty sure that is where I'll be.

[Chernabog]

I was at the last two events (Mormon Church yesterday, stopping traffic in West LA) and the Wednesday Weho event.

Tonight I am gonna take a break, and may be at the one on Sunday morning (not sure yet).

[Ghoulish Delight]

Good. The fact that some of y'all are going to try to make it to Saddleback on Sunday will make me feel better about missing tonight's in LB with you. I'd hate to think I missed my chance to protest along side my own gay friends.

ETA: Oh, and regarding Saddleback, make sure you check the blogspot site for where the protest is. Don't go TO the church address, that'll bring you onto church property. The protest itself will be on a stretch of Portola Pkway next to the church. But the protest organizer got the PD involved to run crowd control, so there shouldn't be a problem figuring it out.

[innerSpaceman]

HELP - Attn Cherny especially, who posted about this in Lord Knows What Thread now that there are too frelling many of them ....

Is There or Is There Not another protest tomorrow (Saturday) early (6:30 a.m.) at the Mormon Temple in West L.A.???


Mormon-bashing minds want to know! :cool:

[Cadaverous Pallor]

We are going to this tonight:

No On Prop 8 Protest Vigil -
Costa Mesa, Friday 11/7 9pm
South Coast Plaza @ Bristol Street & Town Center Drive

We'll bring my Mansion Bride battery-powered candles. :D

Who else is in??

[BarTopDancer]

I am. I told Greg I'd call you guys when I (or we) got in the area to figure out where people are.

[Morrigoon]

I think most of the info's already been posted, but here's the info I got re: the Saddleback protest from a facebook invite:

This peaceful protest will take place this Sunday (November 9th) at 10AM PST. Please spread the word!! Prop 8 is unfair and unconstitutional. A church's definition of marriage should not be allowed to be applied to the whole population. Rick Warren of Saddleback Church came out publicly in an email to his congregation telling them to Vote Yes on 8.

Please bring your friends - gay or straight. Christian or not. All who support marriage equality are encouraged to come show their support in front of one of the largest churches in America. Bring your signs if you have them!

Here is the website for directions:
http://saddleback8protest.blogspot.com/

edit: OMG I'm such a dork... you guys wrote this, not the other no on 8 folks I have friended *smacks forehead*

[Ghoulish Delight]

No, we didn't write it, just forwarded it on.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Have fun storming the castle!

[Gemini Cricket]

Friday Community Gatherings

11/07/08

Costa Mesa
9 p.m. | South Coast Plaza
Bristol Street & Town Center Drive

Long Beach
6:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Broadway and Redondo

Merced
6 p.m. | Veterans Park, M Street
Contact: Leslie or Eileen, PLFLAG Merced 209.725.1140

Mission Viejo
4 to 7 p.m. | 200 Civic Center

Palm Springs
5 p.m. | Palm Springs City Hall

Santa Barbara
5 p.m. to 6 p.m. | De La Guerra Plaza Street
700-756 De La Guerra Plaza

San Diego.
9 p.m. | Laurel and Sixth Avenue
March to City Hall (202 C)

San Francisco
5:30 p.m. | Civic Center
Market and 7th to Dolores Park

-------------------


Saturday Community Gatherings

11/08/08

Beverly Hills
6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. | LDS Temple
10777 Santa Monica Boulevard

Huntington Beach
2 p.m. Huntington Beach Pier

Laguna Beach
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
505 Forest Avenue
Marching to Main Beach

Los Angeles
6 p.m. | Sunset Junction
Silver Lake

Rancho Cucamonga
11 a.m. | Heritage Park
5546 Beryl Street
Please bring a chair with you! You may also bring a dish or desserts, drinks, cups, paper plates, etc. if you want.
RSVP: patrickmilliner@yahoo.com

Sacramento
7 p.m. | Capitol Building (west steps)
Bring Signs, Wear Protest Shirts. People from SF will be showing up at the West Steps to show support with us.

San Diego
12 Noon | Hillcrest
1st & University
Marching to 30th in North Park.

-----------------------------

11/09/08
Sunday Community Gatherings

Note: Details subject to change. Events not organized by Equality California.
Rancho Santa Margarita
5 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Lake Santa Margarita
Santa Margarita Pkwy
Please bring candles.
Contact: teenageanthem@gmail.com

Vilsalia
5 p.m. | College of the Sequoias
915 S. Mooney Boulevard
March down Mooney Boulevard to Caldwell Avenue and back.
Park in Lot 3 off Meadow Lane.
Leave signs at home and bring a candle instead.

[innerSpaceman]

Thanks for that info Brad.

What are us gayboys gonna do when you leave town??? :(




Ok, so as of now. The weekend protest schedule for :iSm: looks like this:

Tonight - Long Beach (if I don't get hopelessly lost);


Tomorrow very early - Mormon Temple (because it's my hand-down favorite protest spot and it's near where I live) - then a brief break to, believe it or not, finally finish the clean-up at the El Mio Halloween Party site ... then more protest at Sunset Junction early evening.

Sunday - GOTH DAY. Disneyland. And on the seventh day they rested.
I will instead protest August weather on Goth Day moved to November. Bah.


If anyone is going to be at any of those events (including Goth Day) and wants to hook up, Calls Me, bitches!!

[Cadaverous Pallor]

We are going to this tonight:

No On Prop 8 Protest Vigil -
Costa Mesa, Friday 11/7 9pm
South Coast Plaza @ Bristol Street & Town Center Drive

We'll bring my Mansion Bride battery-powered candles. :D

Who else is in??Strike that. We had already planned to go to the Game Night at Pru's. I got my weekends mixed up, doh! So we'll save the signs for Sunday. Sunday for sure, at Saddleback.

[Morrigoon]

We are going to this tonight:

No On Prop 8 Protest Vigil -
Costa Mesa, Friday 11/7 9pm
South Coast Plaza @ Bristol Street & Town Center Drive

We'll bring my Mansion Bride battery-powered candles. :D

Who else is in??
I might stop by for a few on my way to somewhere else. Is this a sign event, or just a candle event?

[Chernabog]

Dear Joseph:

The last few days have been difficult ones. We've had to come to terms with the passage of Proposition 8 and all that it may mean for our community. We've also had to deal with our frustration, pain and anger. As we have often done throughout the history of our movement, we first came together at a rally on Wednesday night in West Hollywood. Afterwards, thousands of people were not ready to go home and several groups spontaneously began marching.

Yesterday we called a press conference at the Mormon Temple. In addition to over a dozen media outlets, more than 1,500 people showed up! After the press conference, we marched around the perimeter of the Temple grounds. Then, as had happened on Wednesday, people were not ready to go home after the "official" march concluded. So, they went off on marches of their own, reconvening at the Temple many hours later and staying long into the night.

The protests and rallies here are sparking actions all over the country. We are receiving calls and emails from LGBT people and our straight allies throughout the nation who are angry and want to show their support. Plus, hundreds of people are contacting us to find out what is happening next-people who want to express their feelings and take action.

Future Actions

Many events are being planned in L.A. and around Southern California. For example, some are planning a march tonight in Long Beach at 7:00 p.m. at the corner of Broadway and Redondo. Another group is planning a march tomorrow in Silverlake at 6:00 p.m., beginning at Sunset Junction. These are not Center-sponsored events, but certainly many of us will be there to show our support to make ourselves a visible part of this growing movement.

The Center is maintaining a list of actions that are being planned. To see that list, or to submit something, visit: www.lagaycenter.org/Prop8Actions.

So far, our marches have been peaceful. Only a few people have gotten carried away-and some have been the victims of Yes on 8 supporters who got carried away. We want to ensure that our actions remain peaceful. While marching, please keep in mind a couple things:

* The Mayor of Los Angeles is our friend. So are the heads of the police and sheriff's departments (and on those occasions when they don't act like that, we're the first to let them know). But over the last few days, almost to a person, police officers and sheriff's deputies have been extremely patient with protesters, and in many, many instances very supportive of our cause. They have blocked off streets and have tried to do their jobs to protect marchers and to protect the communities impacted. Please, please be respectful of them. If an individual police officer does not behave as s/he should, call our legal services department at 323-993-7670

* The media are not our enemy. I was disturbed to learn that there were verbal attacks yesterday against a reporter from KCBS/KCAL and Hal Eisner, a reporter from FOX TV. Hal has fairly and accurately covered LGBT issues for many years and is a trusted and highly regarded reporter. A few people, however, saw fit to verbally attack and confront him with vicious slurs. If you see someone confronting press, please do what you can to stop it.

Why the Mormon Church?

We rallied in front of the L.A. Mormon Temple yesterday because it is a symbol of the reprehensible role that the Church hierarchy played in directing members to fund the campaign of lies and deceit promoted by the Yes on 8 leaders. Please do not forget that there are many fair-minded Mormons who are with us - many have actually marched and rallied with us and they are appalled at the actions of their Church leadership and the Yes on 8 campaign.

Further, as I said at yesterday's gathering, the Mormons are not the only outside organization that has tried to strip us of our rights in California. While they funded the majority of the campaign, other groups also were involved, like Focus on the Family, the Knights of Columbus Headquarters, and more.

Next Steps

In addition to our rallies and protest marches, we've been taking other action. On Wednesday morning our legal groups (Lambda Legal, National Center for Lesbian Rights, the ACLU) filed suit in the California Supreme Court to invalidate Prop 8 as an inappropriate revision of our state constitution. A similar action was filed by the L.A. City Attorney, San Francisco City Attorney, and others.

On Thursday, we launched www.InvalidateProp8.org. Let's show the President of the Mormon Church how many people are angry by their support of Prop. 8 and, in the process, raise money to support our community's efforts to invalidate the initiative and promote the freedom to marry in California. Please visit the site, make a donation, and encourage everyone you know to do the same.

We're also at the very early stages of planning a statewide action with colleagues from across California. We are bringing in some of the new leaders that are emerging in the aftermath of Prop 8 and inviting them to help us conceive and execute this plan. Stay tuned for more information.

The Big Picture

Finally, as badly as we all feel about the results on Tuesday, let's try to keep the big picture in mind. The LGBT community and our straight allies pulled together an amazing and powerful coalition of people to fight this initiative. We fought the most successful fight ever mustered against an anti-marriage ballot measure-we raised more money for television and radio ads, we built a larger field team, we got more mainstream support. As a result, instead of losing by 22 points as we did 8 years ago when prop 22 was passed, we lost by less than 5 points. That's enormous progress. No campaign against an anti-marriage ballot measure has ever won. We did everything we knew how to do, to be the first. But a slight majority still voted against us.

Sadly, some now want to play the blame game (usually people who did not choose to get actively involved in the No on 8 campaign but who now have a lot to say about it). They want to turn on our own community and each other rather than focusing our anger where it is deserved-the Yes on 8 campaign. What's important now is to learn what lessons we can from our efforts.

How can we ensure that other states under attack replicate the unprecedented successes we had? What lessons did we learn that could enable other states under attack to be more successful? Clearly, we all have work to do in our own communities to get our neighbors, friends and colleagues-and people who should be our allies--to support us and our full equality. That's what we must focus on now. This is a time for unity and focused action, not for division. As soon as the plan is formulated for the statewide action, we'll let you know. Until then, do not lose heart! Ultimately, the freedom to marry will be ours!

Fondly,

Lorri


I love this woman :)

[Isaac]

Wow! I haven't been part of a protest since high school, when a dress code (that would eliminate student's freedom to color their hair and wear ripped jeans) was proposed.

Large turn out in Long Beach:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/longbeachprotest110708/protesters01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/longbeachprotest110708/protesters02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/longbeachprotest110708/protesters03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/longbeachprotest110708/protesters04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/longbeachprotest110708/protesters05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/longbeachprotest110708/protesters06.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/longbeachprotest110708/protesters07.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/longbeachprotest110708/supporters2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/longbeachprotest110708/supporters1.jpg

Some good signs:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/longbeachprotest110708/sign01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/longbeachprotest110708/sign02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/longbeachprotest110708/sign03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/longbeachprotest110708/sign04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/longbeachprotest110708/sign05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/longbeachprotest110708/sign06.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/longbeachprotest110708/sign07.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/longbeachprotest110708/sign08.jpg



A few swankers:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/longbeachprotest110708/Chris.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/longbeachprotest110708/Isaac.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/longbeachprotest110708/Jim.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/longbeachprotest110708/JohnBillLisa.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/longbeachprotest110708/Steve.jpg


:cool:

[Gn2Dlnd]

Great to be out marching, the third day in a row. I've had a number of wonderful conversations with people out on the marches, some who were marching, some who were watching from the sidewalks. Tonight, after splitting off from the LoT lot, I had a great conversation with the girl I'd taken to calling "The Lesbian Bullhorn," and another 20 minute chat with an older woman who's a veteran of many civil disobedience arrests. One bizarre conversation I had was with a straight couple who asked, "Didn't proposition 8 pass?" I set them straight, so to speak, and then asked them if they were married. This is the same tack I took when walking through the straight crowd on the sidewalk in front of a restaurant. "Are you married? How 'bout you? You guys? That is sooo nice." I walked on the opposite side of the street a lot, on the sidewalk, specifically so I could strike up random conversations with folks. That's what's going to turn this thing around, not screaming in their faces. My Obama t-shirt and button have given me countless opportunities to respond to the joy people have to the election, with my experience of being denied this joy because of proposition 8.

My new line, when asked how I am, "I'm 92% great!"

Thanks, Bill, for making such a great sign for me to carry tonight. I think I had more pictures taken of me with that sign than I ever have for Halloween in Weho!

My legs are tired, and I'm attending an opera event tomorrow afternoon, so I'll miss the Silverlake march. Be safe and have fun (yes!), whoever ends up going. Don't forget bottled water and sunscreen.

Anyone want to go to an opera event with me? It's free.

[Morrigoon]

Well, the event at South Coast Plaza was much smaller, about 30 people. Still, that's enough to make an impression, standing on the corner. I reused one of my pre-vote signs that said "Prop HATE" and had a huge 8 in a slashed circle. Later I bought a new posterboard for whatever my next sign need is. There have been so many great suggestions I feel like my old signs are, well, old.

[Morrigoon]

The info on upcoming protests is pretty well known. The OC register mentioned the Saddleback one in an article already. Do not be surprised to see counter-demonstrators.

Incidentally, here are their service times (from their website): Sunday 9:00*, 11:15 a.m., 4:30, 6:30, & 8:30** p.m.

In case, you know, you wanna be there when they'll see you ;)

[Gemini Cricket]

So very awesome!
I love the signs LoTters!

I'm making one for tonight. Got to think of something good.
:)

[Cadaverous Pallor]

You guys are awesome! :) Great signs.

[JWBear]

My poor aching feet.....

It was fun. A little scary at the end, with the police and their riot gear and the people sitting in the middle of the street. But all went well.

[€uroMeinke]

Here (http://www.presstelegram.com/ci_10932201)'s coverage on the Long Beach march from the Press Telegram

[Ghoulish Delight]

Incidentally, here are their service times (from their website): Sunday 9:00*, 11:15 a.m., 4:30, 6:30, & 8:30** p.m.

The scheduled start time is 10AM, which seems perfect as it should be just before the 9:00 service lets out, so we'll get them going, and then the 11:15 crowd will be arriving.

Dunno if I was the only one, but I spent some time yesterday afternoon emailing every local news outlet I could think of with info on Saddleback to be sure the word got out. Yay!

Wish we could have been in Costa Mesa. We were all ready to go when we realized that in the excitement of actually finding stuff in OC we, Prudence's game night had slipped our minds (and I'm glad we remembered that because it was a fabulous night and a welcome respite from confronting the H8). Just means we'll have even more pent up for them Saddlebackians tomorrow.

[Isaac]

Here (http://www.presstelegram.com/ci_10932201)'s coverage on the Long Beach march from the Press Telegram
Looks like we got the attention of the LA Times (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-longbeach8-2008nov08,0,7666602.story?track=rss), CBS2 News (http://cbs2.com/local/Gay.Marriage.March.2.859528.html), ABC7 (http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/politics&id=6495050&rss=rss-kabc-article-6495050), and CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/11/08/same.sex.protests/index.html?section=cnn_latest).

:D

[Gemini Cricket]

Information on protest signs:

Poles for signs can not be made out of hard metal, hard plastic, cable etc. If it is made out of wood, it needs to be 1/4" thick and not to exceed 2" in width anything larger than that is not allowed.

Source - Listed under Demonstration Equipment Prohibited (http://www.nlg-la.org/codes.pdf)

I posted this because I didn't know that.
:)

[Ghoulish Delight]

At least in Beverley Hills.

"Unlawfully Assembly"?

[Not Afraid]

I was glad I went last night (even if it caused me to miss Game Night :(). It was a very uplifting event. We walked the entire 3 miles plus another mile from J&B's house (this done at my fast pace - sorry guys). I wish I could go to the Silverlake event today, but I've got work coming out my ass. Not fun.

[JWBear]

Looks like we got the attention of the LA Times (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-longbeach8-2008nov08,0,7666602.story?track=rss), CBS2 News (http://cbs2.com/local/Gay.Marriage.March.2.859528.html), ABC7 (http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/politics&id=6495050&rss=rss-kabc-article-6495050), and CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/11/08/same.sex.protests/index.html?section=cnn_latest).

:D

The CNN article has this quote from Cardinal Mahoney:

Proposition 8 is not against any group in our society.

Hello??? WTF???

[Isaac]

Maybe by 'our society' she meant the Mormon church.

;)

[Chernabog]

Hello??? WTF???

That's because gays are not part of society, because we're deviant sub-human perverts.

Well, at least we're in fabulous company :D

[Isaac]

...and we have great asses.

LOL !

[CoasterMatt]

I'm not gay, but I'm certainly a deviant sub-human pervert.

[Gn2Dlnd]

Any LoTters in Chicago (http://www.americablog.com/2008/11/protest-in-chicago-tonight-against.html)?

CHICAGO - Focus on the Family's James Dobson spent $800,000 on Proposition 8 to stop gay people form marrying in California. Tonight, this dangerous ideologue will be inducted into the Museum of Broadcast Communication's Radio Hall of Fame in Chicago.

He will be met with a protest from outraged gay organizations at 5:30 PM this evening, November 8, outside of the Renaissance Chicago Hotel, 1 W. Wacker Drive (corner of Wacker & State).

[CoasterMatt]

Focus on the Family? More like Feces on the Family...

[Gn2Dlnd]

So here's the magic key to avoid being arrested at a street march, get on the sidewalk and keep walking. The get back into the street. That's what I did last night after splitting off from the LoT lot, stayed with the march for another hour a half. Also, a good idea to thank every cop you come in contact with for keeping us safe. I even thanked the lined up riot police, some of them actually returned the compliment with a smile.

[innerSpaceman]

This morning's protest at The Mormon Temple was very low-key. Perhaps 25 of us there.

Still ... the site seems more relevant to me than any other location so far. There's lots of street traffic with tons of honking supporters (missing completely from my own experience of Long Beach last night) ... and not only our presence, but every honk is a sign of community protest against the despicable, scurulous methods of the Mormon Church ... my sworn enemy.


Oh well, off to Silver Lake. But I hope for many more protests at the Temple. And seeing as I live relatively nearby ... I think I might make a habit of going there every Sunday morning for a while. :D

[Gn2Dlnd]

Did the rally tonight, and the first part of the march. I was wearing the wrong shoes because of that opera thing I had to go to (turns out, I am not an opera buff) and was just too wiped out from the last 3 days to really commit to the full march. There was a spectacular marching band in the crowd, and a group of Indian dancers. Best march ever!

[innerSpaceman]

Yep, Best March Ever. Totally 60's Vietnam/I Have a Dream Revisited.

The Marching Band was teh crowning awesome of the awesomest March in forever, certainly the crowning glory of this week of Prop H8 Protest.


Let me say right off that I missed the element of "civilian" contact and support. And the rally was actually too crowded to really get a look at all the cool signs and mingle with folks. I'd estimate there were more than 6,000 people in Sunset Junction. But the energy was fantastic, vibrant and happening. The neighborhood was great, with a fantastic projection system of relevent graphics on a garage door, and a bunch of people bullhorning from the rooftop of Rough Trade.

I was with mousepod and the wonderful Mrs. mousepod, our local Silver Lake peeps. Just as I uncannily did with the LoT folk the night before in Long Beach, i found Gemini Cricket within moments of wading into the huge crowd. Bizarre.

I wandered off into the thick of the crowd to find Chernabog, but no luck on that score. The place was so crowded, I almost couldn't find the peeps I was with again, and I got kinda scared for sec. There was some kind of program going on, but we couldn't hear it at all. It was just insanity.


When the March finally started, though, the event took off into the stratosphere.

Once again, the L.A.P.D. has it all over the over-reactive stormtroopers of Long Beach. They simply rode ahead and closed off side streets so we could march down Santa Monica Blvd. to Vermont, then back up to Sunset in a big loop back to the Junction.

The March was so much fun. The crowd spread out so we could all interact more and it was a blast.

Alas, we lost Brad Cricket pretty soon after the March started, but I had a fantastic time with mousepod and Heather.

I've got to say here how fantastic is that, during this week of protest, there coincidentally has been a "host straight couple" out to show support and demonstrate solidarity in the most moving ways.

For Wednesday's rally in West Hollywood, LSPE and Tom were on hand (though technically they live in Hollywood). Yesterday's Long Beach Rally and March saw locals Not Afraid and €uroMeinke on hand, and tonight's Silver Lake extravaganza was hosted by the mousepod and his wonderful Mrs.

Thank you all so much. Your support means so much to me, and to all of us LoT Gayz I'm sure!



So at one point, just before we realized the march was going to loop back, we decided we had gone too far out for our tastes and wanted to start the long road back. We pulled off the side to get doughnuts and drinks .... and paused to watch the parade go by.

We figured we were in the middle of the pack ... but the march kept going, and going, and going, and going, and going, and going, and going.


It was unbelieveable. Someone said news reports had the marching crowd at 6 city blocks long. It seemed longer. When the full on Marching Band finally went by, I almost lost it .... the awesomeness was too much for me!!

Fortunately, having got out of the stream, we could see that the march was turning a corner and likely looping back to the starting point ... so we kept with it for the full course meal.

Near the end, and I don't know how, we ended up from all the way in the rear to all the way in the front. Turns out there was a truck leading the way ... and in front of that a few police cruisers as "pace cars" and then a phallanx of motorcyle cops that would drive ahead and close off all the side streets in advance of the tremendous march.


So much freaking better than Long Beach ... and yet the route prevented things from getting out of hand and messing up traffic in East Hollywood and Los Feliz as happened in West L.A. on Thursday. L.A.P.D. had it down ... and Long Beach Police Gestapo SUCK!


When we finally got back to the Junction, we were on a bit of a hill, and could finally look back and see the most of the procession stretching off into infinity. It gave me goosebumps. It was like the Washington Mall for Martin Luther King and sh!t like that ... classic, HUGE, civil rights demonstration. OMG. So Frelling Fantastic!!!!



:snap: :snap: :snap:


mousepod took photos, and i hope he's posting them right now as I type this.

[Gemini Cricket]

The protest rally in Silver Lake was great. Huge turnout. Apparently, 10,000 people were there.

I also brought 2 friends of mine to the rally. It was their first protest ever.

We marched but gave out at about 9:15p or so.

My sign said, "They Can't Amend Love" on the front and "2nd Class Citizen, 1st Rate B!tch" on the back with arrows pointing to me.
:)

[innerSpaceman]

What do you mean "gave out?"

We did the whole route, and got all the way back to MY car (after getting back to the mousepod car and driving me back to Silver Lake) by 9:30!


Sorry we lost you Brad.


Your sign was Great!!

[BarTopDancer]

Top story of the channel 4 news.

5,000 people in SLC. Awesome.

See those who go to Saddleback tomorrow. It will be interesting. I have a bunch of co-workers who attend church there.

When I sent this to a friend of mine who doesn't go there she sent back

You know that Rick’s daughter is sick in the hospital, needs brain surgery for an aneurism and hasn’t spoken publicly in weeks. Last week was the first time he spoke at the church and [name removed] said he never mentioned Prop 8. Not sure what email they are referring to.

[Morrigoon]

Cops are apparently already circling Saddleback, Alex said he saw like 5 cop cars trolling around that intersection.

[Isaac]

Ooh!
Can't wait for the saddleback protest :D

[Morrigoon]

Just stay on the sidewalk, kids.

[innerSpaceman]

I wish I could go to Saddleback with you guys (work prevents). Each of these events had a somewhat different flavor ... and this mornings looks to be the most, shall we say, confrontational. :evil:

[mousepod]

Really really glad we got to participate in the march last night. It was a great experience to be among thousands of people of like minds on the subject. Let's hope this noise amounts to something...

Here are a few of the pictures I took last night:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3004/3014396389_5440bfdbb3.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3139/3015232388_79ce6281d0.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3039/3015232644_58336c8f47.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3269/3014400117_2f0d6d0522.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3235/3014404647_fa6eb14dfd.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3012/3014412429_d96f2cd87e.jpg

[Isaac]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3139/3015232388_79ce6281d0.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/lol.gifhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/lol.gif
Best ....sign.... ever!

[Cadaverous Pallor]

We're gearing up for Saddleback. Signs are made.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

When I sent this to a friend of mine who doesn't go there she sent backCan't get more direct than a video of him saying to vote yes. (http://saddlebackfamily.com/blogs/newsandviews/index.html?contentid=1502) He also says in there he will be emailing his pastors.

[BarTopDancer]

Awesome!!!!!

Thanks CP!!!

[Not Afraid]

Good luck at Saddleback today! I fear for the OC Marchers. If you think LB was a bit reactive, OC is usually far worse. (Did I ever tell you about the time I got pulled over in Newport for "looking lke a punk rocker", had my picture taken for the "punk file" and then let go with no vehicle violation of any sort?

[BarTopDancer]

OC was awesome, probably about 600 people there including Me, CP, GD, Zapp, NM, EH and a girl I work with. Lots of support, even from people coming in/leaving the church. The Sheriff's dept was great too. One of the ones in charge was telling us to be louder.

Three 'yes' supporters were walking around, a few people flipped us off while driving by (including some kids and some people driving into the church).

Very positive experience.

[Ghoulish Delight]

600's probably high, but definitely well into the hundreds.

I'm glad I could be part of it. There was a LOT of support from the cars passing by, and that felt good. There were a few cars giving thumbs down or other gestures of bigotry, drawing chants of "Get your H8 out of our State!"

Particularly satisfying was crossing the street in front of the line of cars exiting after the morning service. My sign had two slogans, both aimed directly at the church supporters ("Keep Your Bible out of My Constitution" and "My Marriage Doesn't Need Your Protection"), so I relished getting to put that in the faces of the bigots leaving. Honking supporters boosts morale, but they aren't the ones we need to see the message.

ABC7 news was there before 10AM. Fox 11 showed up as did NBC 4. I never saw anyone from CBS2, KCAL, or KTLA.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Oh hey, if you got to abc7.com there's a video about the protest right on the front page. After they introduce the on scene reporter the camera zooms in on the protesters, and you can see CP, me and BTD arriving, walking along the sidewalk. BTD's carrying the pink sign, CP's carrying the one that reads "Intolerance is Immoral" and I'm wearing a green hat.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Serial posting:

Officer Nelson on the scene was awesome. During lulls in the chanting he was riding his little scooter thing down the line saying things like, "Come on, you're too quiet. Why'd you even come out to protest?" :D The police were VERY supportive.

[Alex]

There's apparently going to be one at San Francisco City Hall (and all other city hall's that get people) next Saturday.

We'll be going to that one (and 40% of the reason I post this is to make sure I go and don't find a way to talk myself out of it since protests and rallys are really outside my natural inclinations).

[Ghoulish Delight]

We'll be going to that one (and 40% of the reason I post this is to make sure I go and don't find a way to talk myself out of it since protests and rallys are really outside my natural inclinations).
You should offer to be someone's ride so you have to go.

I've also heard that there will be one at LA City Hall next Saturday.

[Ghoulish Delight]

A few photos from today:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3049/3016716335_5b2e2a6e0a.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3286/3016718311_ae917aeb6a.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3032/3016724027_dacfd06b73.jpg?v=0

The gentleman with the "No Special Rights for Heteros" sign is my coworker
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3223/3016726125_b04da6072f.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3212/3017561246_8a5bac2254_b.jpg

Officer Nelson
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3288/3016732157_e24e579796.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3240/3016734123_b76747ee7f_b.jpg

[Isaac]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/lakeforestprotest110908/Img_9654.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/lakeforestprotest110908/Img_9659.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/lakeforestprotest110908/Img_9657.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/lakeforestprotest110908/Img_9661.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/lakeforestprotest110908/Img_9680.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/lakeforestprotest110908/Img_9683.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/lakeforestprotest110908/Img_9667.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/lakeforestprotest110908/Img_9678.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/lakeforestprotest110908/Img_9676.jpg

More pics @ my Facebook photo album.

[innerSpaceman]

Was that EH1812 at a PROTEST? In a crowd?!??!


Thanks, EH and all of you - CP, GD, NM and BTD. YOU ROCK!
(wow, the straight LoT contingent certainly outnumbered the LoT gay contingent on this one ... what if Isaac wasn't there??? Hahahah)






Ok, after five protest rallys and marches since Election Day ... I think I'm a little done for a while.

WeHo, Mormon Temple, LongBeach, Mormon Temple Lite, and SilverLake. Phew!

I'm gonna go the LHC meeting Tuesday night to talk about ideas of where to go from here, and to channel the hopefully continuing interest in activities.


But next Saturday at City Hall sounds like the next time I'll be in the mood for protest. And Tiki Party Afterwards!!!

[Isaac]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v686/zapppop/national-1__oPt.jpg

http://www.jointheimpact.com/

:D

[BarTopDancer]

It's down :(

[BarTopDancer]

Fox 11 had protests as their 3rd story. Showed the protests in LA and briefly showed the one at Saddleback. You can see my [hot pink] sign from afar and they interviewed "baby food guy". They showed some interviewers with actual protesters in the LA area.

[wendybeth]

Too cool, you guys. :snap:



I've refrained from saying much on this subject, but not out of disinterest. Truth be told, I'm pretty damned angry. As some of you know, I have a relative by marriage who is Mormon and I've had to put up with some (a lot) of Mormon related stupidity over the years. I am just so over their superior 'we're gonna be Gods someday, and you're not!' mentality and it's been very tiresome, but this goes beyond the pale. They need to pay for mixing their religion with politics- and money is the only language they understand. (They believe that earthly riches indicate heavenly favor). I sincerely hope the IRS does go after them, along with the Catholic church and any other church who wants to play this sort of game. I have no problem with other's beliefs, but when they seek to legislate from the pulpit and hurt people I care about, it makes them the enemy and I will do whatever I can to defeat them in their aims.

[Tenigma]

That's what's going to turn this thing around, not screaming in their faces.

I read the following with interest:

Four Lessons Gay Marriage Actvists Must Learn From Obama (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lee-stranahan/four-lessons-gay-marriage_b_142469.html)

from Huffington Post by Lee Stranahan

Barack Obama won a historic and overwhelming victory. It's too bad the proponents of gay marriage don't seem to have learned much about how and why he won.

I am in total agreement with those who want gay marriage to be legal. They are right. Being right isn't enough.

In fact, many progressives have found an odd sort of contentment in being grumbling angry losers for years because they were so damn right. Now that Obama has lit the path for being both right and effective, it's time tor the conservatives to be the grumbling losers and time for progressives to chalk up victories on issues important to them by applying the lessons of this election.

1) Anger Loses
The protests and expressions of anger on the part of the GLBT community and their friends and family have been impressive. Thousands of people have taken to the street and their anger is justified. I don't think it's smart, however. I see no evidence at all that it's going to help advance the cause of gay rights.

If anger won elections, John McCain and Sarah Palin would now be the king and queen of America. McCain was practically bursting blood vessels in the last few speeches of the election and he lost in a landslide. Anger turned off the independents at the same time it fired up the base.

Just because anger is justified doesn't mean it's wise. That's where discipline comes in. As Obama said repeatedly, "Don't boo - vote." In other words, channel your emotions into something more productive then the easy road of making loud noises.

WWOD? The McCain campaign threw a fresh pack of lies at Obama every chance they got. The number of death threats towards him increased as the angry McCain campaign cranked up the rhetoric. If anyone was justified in their anger, it would have been Barack Obama. He could have struck back in anger and fired up the Democratic base to take to the streets to protest racism and lies.

Obama could have gotten angry.. He didn't. He won. We all won.

2) Get Organized
The No On 8 people have shown they can get big numbers out to a rally. So why couldn't they run an effective ad campaign, send out a clear message or win the election?

The Yes on 8 crowd had the advantage of a built in organizing system in the churches. It's the same organizational structure that explains why Fireproof, a Christian themed, ultra low budget movie with Kirk Cameron as the lead has grossed more than Oliver Stone's 'W'. Churches are good at getting groups of people to do things en masse. That's not a bad thing; it sure helps when they do charity work.

And the ability to organize people isn't a left / right thing; black churches helped Obama. There's a similar secular power with unions or groups like the National Rifle Association. None of it was harnessed by the people in favor of gay marriage to any significant degree.

Without that structural advantage, the pro gay marriage crowd needed to work harder and not be self satisfied. The forces that defeated gay marriage in California did what Obama did; they organized a diverse group of voters and got them out to the polls.

3) Outreach Works
Barack Obama showed that reaching beyond the base can yield big results. I haven't seen much evidence that the people who support gay marriage did much more than reach out to the people who already support gay marriage. In fact, rallies that have protesters yelling 'Mormon scum!' are negative outreach.

What if the gay community reached out to the black, Latino and Mormon communities that voted against gay marriage? What if instead of merely chalking up opposition to 'fear and hate' they went in churches and communities and started engaging in conversations? Would they meet with resistance? Of course. Would they see fear and hate? Absolutely. Changing a lifetime of thoughts and feelings isn't easy but the election showed us change does happen.

But African Americans, Latinos and Mormons all know firsthand the pain and frustration of discrimination. They have all seen their share of fear and hate. They know the value of marriage and family. The way to expose the things they have in common with their gay brothers and sisters is through dialog, not demonstration.

It may seem like an unlikely alliance but it's just as unlikely as getting a white working class guy to vote for a President whose middle name is Hussein.

4) Pick Your Battles
The Obama campaign showed a lot of discipline in picking which battles to fight and which to avoid. Here's a good rule; pick battles you can win.

The current tactic of trying to fight church tax exceptions is a dead on arrival loser of a battle. It's not going to happen.

Tax free churches have a long precedent in our society. It's a fight that will result in a direct battle with every religious organization in America, not just the ones opposed to gay marriage. Further, selectively going after the Mormon or Catholic church is a slippery slope. Trying to take away the tax exempt status of churches you don't like only makes it easier to take away that status for churches with inclusive agendas, like the Unitarian Universalists. Even that doesn't matter, however, since it won't happen.

Some people don't like the idea of picking battles because they want their entire agenda enacted right now. Well, wisdom says that 'perfect' is the enemy of 'good'. Incremental steps require patience but they work.

I believe that the enactment of Proposition 8 is a delay of the inevitable as our county moves towards a more perfect union. If my comrades will take a moment and learn the lessons of this last election, I hope that delay will be short.

Lee Stranahan is a writer and filmmaker who also blogs about politics at BobCesca.com which may sound like a contradiction but it's not but it is.

[BarTopDancer]

So apparently I was on the KNBC news. But I turned it off cause some stupid Dateline episode was on until waaaaay late. Of course I tried to find it on the interwebs and can't.

[Isaac]

Saw our protest on KABC7 (http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/video?id=6496934).

BTW: it was 300 people. Not near 600 but still a good size crowd.

[Morrigoon]

Sooo... is tomorrow the first protest-free day since the passage of 8, or is the barrage of a protest a day going to (delightfully) continue?

You realize that LoT has been represented at some kind of protest every day thus far.

[Gn2Dlnd]

(and 40% of the reason I post this is to make sure I go and don't find a way to talk myself out of it since protests and rallys are really outside my natural inclinations).

Congratulations, Alex! I'm seeing LOTS of people on the marches who are (many for the first time) doing something outside their comfort zone.

[Gn2Dlnd]

I read the following with interest:

Four Lessons Gay Marriage Actvists Must Learn From Obama (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lee-stranahan/four-lessons-gay-marriage_b_142469.html)

from Huffington Post by Lee Stranahan

I don't quite agree with everything in this editorial. For instance, I think the protests are quite valuable. As I've said, they've given me the opportunity to engage with people standing on the sidelines and have conversations I can't have from behind my farmer's market stand. Also, and I think this is crucial, the rallies have given us a place to actually come together as a group. People who aren't Gay may think that we all watch Ellen or Logo, or go to the same bars, or even live in the same neighborhoods. Not so. There is no central Gay rallying point when something goes down, except, as far as I know, the corner of San Vicente and Santa Monica. There is no "Gay leadership." What is coming out of these rallies is a desire to organize, and an effective use of the internet and cell phone technology that we didn't have during the AB101 marches. Since this is the first time a presidential campaign has used these things effectively enough to win, pardon us for being a bit behind the curve. But don't worry, our adaptation will be quick, and, as with all things Gays pick up (and this may have a lot to do with the fact that we're, by nature and by circumstance, extremely self-sufficient), we'll do it better.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

We have, indeed, spread out and covered all of the days, and that makes me very proud. You know what would be even greater? If we could get EVERYONE together for the march on city hall next week. We've marched in small groups, but I think it would be great to have a LoT-en-masse march together.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Agreed with Gn2 - these rallies have solidified the movement. There was a guy at the rally yesterday getting email addresses from everyone so he could send out updates on other rallies.

This will come together and become a force to be reckoned with. One of the signs at our rally said "No more Mr. Nice Gay" (with pictures of Big Gay Al and Mr. Garrison), and I think that hit it on the head. :)

[Gemini Cricket]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2008

Contact: Ali Bay
Phone: 916.284.9187

NO on Prop 8 Campaign Leaders Call on Community to Stand Together

Top leaders from the NO on Prop 8 campaign today issued the following statement urging leaders in the community to stand together following the passage of Prop 8.

“This has been an incredibly difficult week for Californians who are disappointed in the passage of Proposition 8, which takes away the right to marry for same-sex couples in our state. We feel a profound sense of disappointment in this defeat, but know that in order to move forward we must continue to stand together as one community in order to secure full equality in California.

“In working to defeat Prop 8, a profound coalition banded together to fight for equality. Faith leaders, labor, teachers, civil rights leaders and communities of color, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents, public officials, local school boards and city councils, parents, corporate law firms and bar associations, businesses, and people from all walks of life joined together to stand up against discrimination. We must build on this coalition in order to achieve equal rights for all Californians.

“We achieve nothing if we isolate the people who did not stand with us in this fight. We only further divide our state if we attempt to blame people of faith, African American voters, rural communities and others for this loss. We know people of all faiths, races and backgrounds stand with us in our fight to end discrimination, and will continue to do so. Now more than ever it is critical that we work together and respect our differences that make us a diverse and unique society. Only with that understanding will we achieve justice and equality for all.”

Geoff Kors, Executive Director, Equality California
Kate Kendell, Executive Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights
Lorri Jean, CEO, Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center
Delores Jacobs, CEO, San Diego Gay and Lesbian Center...

[Ghoulish Delight]

Saw our protest on KABC7 (http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/video?id=6496934).
In that video, at 3:10 in they are talking about the Saddleback protest. The camera zooms out, guess whose gray Mazda 3 that is waiting to turn left to park? :D

And here's (http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=6496204) the earlier report where you can clearly see BtD and CP's "Intolerance is Immoral" sign.

[BDBopper]

I wanted to drop by and post some encouragement for y'all. Keep fighting for what you believe in. Don't ever give up. You may not win this round but if it means that much to you don't every give up. Even the smallest voice can have a huge impact. All you have to do is stand up and let your voice be heard. While i disagree with both sides on this matter I have the utmost amount of respect for each of you fighting your principles and your cause. Thumbs up to each of you. I'm proud of y'all!!

[Gemini Cricket]

I love all the pictures.

I get so happy inside and teary-eyed on the outside seeing pictures of my friends standing up for something so important.

More than that, I noticed that with my semi sorta randy sign that I was holding on Saturday, it takes courage to protest knowing that all eyes are on you and your fellow protesters. I know that as someone who can be kinda anxiety-riddled in crowds, it takes a lot out of me (you know, someone who chooses to express himself a lot on a discussion board, in writing and who is clumsy in face-to-face debates) to go out in public and voice myself. I'm glad there are people out there who are leaving their comfort zones behind and speaking up.

:)

[BDBopper]

Brad, I know how you feel. We're on different sides of the cosmos on the issues but we have both done the same thing during this cycle. If you told me a year and a half ago I'd be standing outside in the cold waving sings for a political candidate I would have said "You must be out of you mind!" It was something well out of my comfort zone. However I will admit you showed more courage than I did by default. You can actually see the reactions of people driving and walking by. I can't. I didn't know even half of the reaction I got until being briefed after wards. While I got thumbs up and horn honks I also got plenty of middle fingers. I had a feeling I would but I did it anyway because I needed to stand up for what I believed in the the candidate I believed in. You made the same decision Brad and for that I am proud of you!

[BarTopDancer]

More than that, I noticed that with my semi sorta randy sign that I was holding on Saturday, it takes courage to protest knowing that all eyes are on you and your fellow protesters. I know that as someone who can be kinda anxiety-riddled in crowds, it takes a lot out of me (you know, someone who chooses to express himself a lot on a discussion board, in writing and who is clumsy in face-to-face debates) to go out in public and voice myself. I'm glad there are people out there who are leaving their comfort zones behind and speaking up.

:)

I was talking with my friend about this yesterday. I usually go to the restroom when "fan cam" time arrives at Ducks games. I hope and hope that they don't show our section during a TV time out. Yet I'm not freaking out about being on the interwebs or the teevee news. I am a bit concerned about my co-workers who attend Saddleback seeing me. I really don't want to think less of them

This is so important and I think when something is that important we forget our anxieties and just do what we need to do. I am so proud of you, and Aud for stepping outside your comfort zones as well. I know the protest in Lake Forest wasn't a claustrophobic crush with a slow march of people, we were able to walk around freely and I'm sure that helped with some of the crowd anxiety Aud expressed and I have.

[Gemini Cricket]

One of the projects I am working on is contacting all of the marriage equality groups and letting them know that there are a ton of websites, groups, etc that are popping up all over. It's great. However, I think it's getting confusing for a lot of people. I think people want to donate their money to fight for marriage equality, but they are confused as to which group to donate to.

Equality California - http://www.eqca.org
No on Prop 8 Website - http://www.noonprop8.com/
Californians Against Hate - http://www.californiansagainsthate.com/
Love Honor Cherish - http://www.lovehonorcherish.org/
HRC - http://www.hrc.org/issues/marriage.asp
Invalidate Prop 8 (LA Gay & Lesbian Center) - http://www.invalidateprop8.org

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Was that EH1812 at a PROTEST? In a crowd?!??!


Thanks, EH and all of you - CP, GD, NM and BTD. YOU ROCK!


I was easily convinced with a little tender, love and care. Or, rather, I knew this protest wouldn't attract the same size crowd as some of the L.A. protests. And I wasn't going to be sandwiched in a slow march, anywhere. Perhaps my tolerance for large crowds and slow walking will increase with every protest I attend...

Anyhoo, it was a positive and energizing experience.

[Disneyphile]

Hopefully, I can join in something this weekend. I had to work this past one, so I really feel like I missed out.

[Gemini Cricket]

November 15th, 2008 - 10:30a PST / 1:30p EST
This Saturday!

Nationwide Protest of Proposition 8

At a City Hall Near You! (http://www.jointheimpact.com/?page_id=2)

Los Angeles City Hall
200 N Spring St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 485-2121


San Diego City Hall
111 W Harbor Dr
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 525-5000


Sacramento City Hall
915 I St # 5
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 264-5011


San Francisco City Hall
1 Dr Carton B Goodlett Pl
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 554-4000


San Jose City Hall
200 E Santa Clara St
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 535-3500


Moreno Valley City Hall
14177 Frederick St
Moreno Valley, CA 92553
(951) 413-3800


Bakersfield City Hall
1600 Truxtun Ave # 300
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 326-3765


Phoenix City Hall
111 W Monroe St # 1216
Phoenix, AZ 85003
(602) 252-9600


Spokane City Hall
808 W Spokane Falls Blvd # 550
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 625-6225


Seattle City Hall
600 4th Ave # 2
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 684-8888


Salt Lake City City Council Office
451 S State St # 304
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 535-7600


Honolulu City Hall
1450 Ala Moana Blvd # 1286
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 973-2600

To name a few....
:)


Major National Protest Against Prop 8
and then Major National Going Away Party for GC!
:D

[Disneyphile]

Ok. I think we'll up for the one at LA City Hall. We can take the Blue Line from Long Beach, since that's where we're ending up that evening anyway. :)

I'm gonna have to make some awesome signs.

Edit: Just thought - Kevy, would you volunteer to show up in your shiny pink Halloween frock with a sign that reads, "I'm in a 'traditional' marriage!" ;)

[Gemini Cricket]

THIS IS A NATIONWIDE EVENT - ALL US STATES HAVE AT LEAST 1 PROTEST LOCATION!
http://www.jointheimpact.com (http://www.jointheimpact.com/) for Locations
---------------------------------------
Be part of the next Civil Rights Movement - Be part of history - Join the National Protest / March for Equality on November 15th!
---------------------------------------
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! Now is your chance to be a "community organizer"! Go to the website and post if you are willing to volunteer to help get out the word in your city. We need 3 or 4 dedicated volunteers in each town to contact the clubs and organizations in your area and to print/distribute flyers to get a turnout in your town.

This is not a California issue. This is an issue of equality across America. Stand up and make your voice heard. Visit the website www.jointheimpact.com (http://www.jointheimpact.com).

-----------------

SATURDAY NOV 15TH -
10:30AM WEST COAST
11:30AM MOUNTIAN TIME ZONE
12:30PM CENTRAL TIME ZONE
1:30PM EAST COAST
PRINT OUT THE SIGNS - TAKE THEM TO THE PROTEST

Prop 8 Protest: A Call to the LGBTQ Community, Friends, & Family

Lengthy Description (SFW):
I’m sure all would agree that with the election of Barack Obama, this week has been one of amazing wins in the world of equality! Still, Tuesday night was a bitter-sweet celebration. We came together to witness the first black man who will become our president, yet watched in sadness as Florida, Arizona, Arkansas, and California all voted down equal rights for all citizens. Pundits and bloggers alike have put their focus on Proposition 8, trying hard to find an explanation for the anti-gay wins in the face of a huge swell of support for equality elsewhere. Some have blamed the voters, others blame religious groups, and even others blame the LGBTQ community for not being able to mobilize on a larger enough scale. And you know what? There is truth in each argument.

As a community, we have to admit to the fact that we are polarized in various ways. Honestly, I’m not sure what community isn’t and I believe that our polarization is proof to our humanity - we are no different than anyone else, regardless of color, creed, or sexual orientation. Still, our polarization has hindered us from mobilizing as one strong voice. We all come together in the month of June to celebrate Gay Pride, but few of us are even aware of why Gay Pride exists. Gay Pride is a celebration to commemorate the Stonewall Riots of 1969. Many say that the Gay Rights Movement began in 1969, which means that we are still a young movement and have accomplished a great deal in such a short amount of time. The generation that fought for us in 1969 deserves our gratitude and respect. This is a generation of amazing people who fought for our ability to hold hands in the street, to speak out against hate, to dance to our own “thumpa thump”, witness television shows with a queer cast, and come together in the streets celebrating for an entire month! This is the generation that opened the doors for us to even have a conversation about gay marriage, and this is the generation that deserves our help and our voices now. On June 27th, 1969, this generation came together in protest, jumping from closets, taking to the streets, and mobilizing in ways this country had never seen before! And what happened? The country was forced to respond. The Queer identity was forced onto the front pages and coffee tables of people’s worlds and people had to once and for all accept that we are human too!

Now, almost 40 years later we NEED to come together again. We need to show this nation that we are ONE LOUD VOICE THAT DEMANDS TO BE HEARD! We need to be one organized unit. Our gay pride shouldn’t be something we celebrate one month out of the year. Our gratitude towards the ones who came before us shouldn’t be ignored and wasted away with one party after another. We beg to be given a right that requires responsibility and commitment, yet we, as one strong community, have not proven to this nation that we deserve to be taken seriously! The gay pride parade has become a great party, but it has lost the memory of Stonewall and therefor given the nation another reason to cast us aside as irresponsible. It’s time we come together for debate, for public recognition, and for LOVE! Let’s move as one full unit, on the same day, at the same hour, and let’s show the United States of America that we too are UNITED CITIZENS EQUAL IN MIND, BODY, SPIRIT AND DESERVING OF FULL EQUALITY UNDER THE LAW!

On the steps of your City Hall on November 15th at 10:30am PST / 1:30pm EST, our community WILL take to the streets and speak out against Proposition 8 and all of the other pro-equality losses that we have faced in our lifetimes, in our parents’ lifetimes, and for many generations before us. WE CAN’T DO THIS ALONE! WE NEED YOUR HELP! We need organizers in every major city to work with us and get out the protest! I know you’re all tired from all of the work you’ve done for this great election year, but I’m asking for one more push! Let the country hear our voices together. Let them see that we are a strong, adamant, and powerful community that deserves equal rights, and CAN’T BE DEFEATED!

Send this post to everyone! We have one week and must react to the pro-hate votes cast against us! Let’s help our LGBTQ friends, families, neighbors, and each other to IMPACT this country with a demand for our basic human rights! Join the cause, join the voice, and JOIN THE IMPACT!
November 15th
1:30 PM East Coast
10:30 AM West Coast

[innerSpaceman]

10:30 A.M.??!?!

[Gemini Cricket]

10:30 A.M.??!?!
Yes, they make a 10:30 in the morning now.

This one is a biggie. And I feel good that they are protests at City Halls.

[innerSpaceman]

Well, I was thinking of leaving my car in Long Beach and talking the Blue Line downtown, so I could end up back in LB for the Tiki (sadness) Party ... um six hours or so before it starts.


Maybe we could convince everybody to March to Long Beach!!

[Gemini Cricket]

Maybe we could convince everybody to March to Long Beach!!
What's with wanting people to march to the ocean? What are ya, a lemming?
:D

[tracilicious]

Doh! The day that I'm moving! How long do protests usually last?

[Gemini Cricket]

Doh! The day that I'm moving! How long do protests usually last?
A couple of hours? It depends.

[Tenigma]

A couple of hours? It depends.

The San Francisco one looks like it's scheduled for 2 hours. But this kind of thing, if you have a tight schedule... if you can show up, show up when you can, and leave when you need to.

[innerSpaceman]

The 1st Mormon Temple event was scheduled for two hours.


It lasted eight.




(I left after one, so there's nothing keeping you prisoner or anything .... just sayin' ... these things tend to take on a life of their own sometimes.)

[Stan4dSteph]

Wouldn't it be more effective to protest at a city hall on a weekday though?

[innerSpaceman]

Yes. If you want 1000 people instead of 10,000.


The location is just symbolic. City Hall has nothing to do with this. Even at the marriage licence issuing level, the government entity is L.A. County, not L.A. City. But Norwalk is an awfully boring place for a protest.

The actual government entity to protest is the state government, and that would mean going up to Sacramento (where I understand a big protest is planned for November 22 ... and I can't go because, ironically, I have my last straight wedding that day). ;)


The protest is not really against the government at all. They did not do this to us. It is against our fellow Californians ... and City Hall is just as meaningful or meaningless as any place else.

But it's not in a gay stronghold or at the gates of the enemy, like all the previous ones. Viva la tiny difference.

[Kevy Baby]

Edit: Just thought - Kevy, would you volunteer to show up in your shiny pink Halloween frock with a sign that reads, "I'm in a 'traditional' marriage!" ;)
Somehow, I don't think that would 'help' the cause
Based on the attire alone, I don't think I would be convincing anyone that our marriage is traditional.:D

Doh! The day that I'm moving! How long do protests usually last?Long enough, but not too long.

But Norwalk is an awfully boring place for a protest.How can you say that?!? It is the home of the Hargitt House (http://www.museumsusa.org/museums/info/1153583)!

[Disneyphile]

Somehow, I don't think that would 'help' the cause
Based on the attire alone, I don't think I would be convincing anyone that our marriage is traditional.It would if you were standing next to your wife and/or making out with her right there!!! ;)

[Kevy Baby]

It would if you were standing next to your wife and/or making out with her right there!!! ;)Somehow, I don't think Susan would make out with me dressed like that.

[Disneyphile]

Somehow, I don't think Susan would make out with me dressed like that.
I'll have a little talk with her tomorrow. :evil: :p

[innerSpaceman]

Ok ... I'll make out with your wife while you stand there looking pretty.

[Kevy Baby]

Ok ... I'll make out with your wife while you stand there looking pretty.You did see me, didn't you? Somehow, I don't think I will be standing there looking pretty.

Pretty frightening maybe.




(I couldn't stomach looking at myself in the mirror. I don't think I actually did until later in the evening - AFTER a fair amount of alcohol had been consumed.)

[innerSpaceman]

oh, please. You wouldn't even be the 10th most hideous drag queen there.

[belleh5]

You guys Rock!! :snap: :snap: :snap:




Thanks for sharing your pictures!!

[Gemini Cricket]

A video about Saturday's protests (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEpvyrtFe_I)

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I just checked (http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/page/California)and this Saturday's nationwide protest has an OC contingent (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=34475914076). 250 confirmed on Facebook, 186 maybes at this point. The one for Saddleback had 86 confirmed on Facebook and 300 people showed up.

I'm leaning towards going to the Irvine one on Saturday. As much as I'd love to be with everyone in LA I have to admit I'm kind of scared of such a large rally. OC needs supporters...

Anyway, still thinking on this.

[Gemini Cricket]

OC needs supporters...
That's a very good point, CP.
It felt like preaching to the choir at the Silver Lake protest.
Hmmmm.

[innerSpaceman]

No, no, please. It would be so much coolness if all of us Swankster Lotfolk GayRights Supporters and Gayz could finally be together for one of these events.


Do as you will of course, but the thought of LoT Unity for this Saturday is a thrilling one to me.

[Isaac]

Gotta agree w/ iSm on this one.
Considering this will be a nationwide protest, I think it would be better if we got together in Los Angeles, rather than split up throughout SoCal.


edit: OOH! So far over 2,180 people have confirmed on Facebook they're attending this event,
with an addtional 1,000+ listed as maybe.

:D

[Sohrshah]

I have an SUV. I will go around the OC and pick up LoTers on Saturday AM if that might make things easier.

[innerSpaceman]

I can't tell you how much I've appreciated the extra support from LSPE and Tom when we protested in WeHo, NA and €uro when we hit the streets of Long Beach, and mousepod and H. when we rallied big time in Silver Lake ... and I know Isaac appreciated it when BTD, EH1812, NirvanaMan, GD and CP protested alongside him at Saddleback.


Please know that we feel your support at all times and in all places. We know you are with us on this, and we love you all the more for it.


But, just speaking for myself, I find it very emotionally uplifting when my straight friends are there helping us all fight for gay rights, for equal rights.

It would be astounding if all of the LoT contingent of gays and our fabulous supportive friends could be together for one of these big events. I would simply squee. And we could sing Kumbaya. Hold hands. Make Out with Kevy's Wife.


:D

[Not Afraid]

I would love to go on Saturday, but I'm throwing a pretty big party that evening (and now I suddenly have BIG plans for Sunday as well). I'm not out yet, but I think it would be prudent of me to stay home.

[Morrigoon]

I have work (as usual when there's other stuff I'd like to do... I have a long shift), so for me Irvine would be about all I could make it to.

[Kevy Baby]

I would love to go on Saturday, but I'm throwing a pretty big party that evening...Oh, really?!? Can I come?

[Isaac]

Can I come?
She'll ask GusGus about that one ;)

[Kevy Baby]

She'll ask GusGus about that one ;)Or iSm can take care of it.

[BarTopDancer]

MY drunkenseamstress! :(

[Not Afraid]

Wait. Kevy is saying that ISM is as good in bed as GusGus?

[Snowflake]

Anyone going to be in SF on Saturday?
I will be at Civic Center, of course, I do not expect to find anyone in the crowd.

[JWBear]

I just received this from a friend:

Hey Everyone,

Please read the e-mail below. It originated in San Diego but the more participation we can get the more effective it will be. I know I will be staying home that day, maybe having a mid day BBQ with some friends. What you do with the information is up to you, if it is not something you can participate in (and I do understand with the economy the way it is, not all of us have vacation/sick days to use) pass it on to everyone people that may be interested.


A Day Without Gays is a political statement that must be made in response to the millions of voters who helped pass Proposition 8 in California. Apparently those over 5 million voters forgot on election day that we are their family, their friends, their colleagues and most importantly their customers! Starting this year and hopefully every year from now on, we as the gay and straight \supporters of No on Prop 8, are going to take one day off a year in solidarity and support of being equal in our lives.
We need to show those Yes on 8 supporters that we are a force to be reckoned with and we will not be subservient and sit idle just waiting for the next election to get our day of equality for all! So December 10, 2008 please call in GAY (since they think it's an illness anyways) take the day off of work, save your errands for another day and get together with your friends and your family in support on No on Prop 8, No on Hate and EQUALITY for all!

***As a side note, if you can't take the day off we understand! Just please please please, shop at gay supportive/friendly stores and make sure you promote this to everyone you know... bulliten, blog, email, text.... The whole point is to show the rest of the world that we will not support you or your business, if you do not support equality! We are also working with gay friendly companies in SD to "hire a gay for a day" If you can not afford to take the day off, local businesses will let you come and work for them for the day to make up that lost cash.
a full list will be posted soon"***

[innerSpaceman]

Interesting, and much more practical than the Pink Holiday effort to spread the economic hardship over an entire consumer-spending season.

This one, if widely participated in, is bite-size enuf to attract media attention.


I like it.

If it catches on, I'm in.




The problem is ... there's something like 50 gay rights groups in the state, with more cropping up every day ... and precious little coordination or even communication between them.


Until we get some organizational cohesion going, we are never going to make a dent in public opinion ... and we are never going to be able to battle the entrenched and effective church structure in passing a ballot initiative to restore gay marriage rights in California.

[Deebs]

Anyone going to be in SF on Saturday?
I will be at Civic Center, of course, I do not expect to find anyone in the crowd.

You could coordinate a meeting place before and hope for the best. I wish I could be the person you meet! I would much prefer to be there, but since I have other plans Saturday evening I have to stay in the valley. Sacramento for me.

[innerSpaceman]

And I certainly understand Not Afraid needing to attend to a party for, heheh, all of us ... later in the day.

Can €uro come out and play?


And all you OCers who can attend a rally in OC ... I wish you would consider coming to L.A. and singing Kumbaya with us.


Please at least send GusGus so I have someone to make out with. Being around all the gays all the time all week long is messing with my libido, and I need a pleasure outlet. GusGus is a GalGal and all, but she's an awesome kisser! I'm a semi-equal opportunist anyway.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

And I certainly understand Not Afraid needing to attend to a party for, heheh, all of us ... later in the day.

Can €uro come out and play?I do hope this is a joke, as we are all aware that any party at their place includes help from both husband and wife.

Still unsure which rally I will attend.

[Tenigma]

I don't know how I feel about that. Isn't this basically saying, "We'll go hide so you can't see us"?!?!? Isn't that backwards?

Let's pretend that gay people are oh I don't know, purple-skinned. and for some reason, the non-purple people don't like purple people. If the purple people said, "OK we want to show you how much impact we make to society, so on this one day, we are going to stay indoors!"

Well for people who are purple-averse, wouldn't that be, "Well, that's a relief, I don't have to look at purple people today."

Wouldn't it be better if the purple-aversion people saw when they stepped outside that the world was full of purple, pink, red, green, and orange people, all getting along together?

[innerSpaceman]

Um, no. They hate us loving each other, they love our money. They love our industry. They love our artistry, creativity, and company.

TAKE THAT ALL AWAY FROM THEM for a day and let them imagine a world without us forever. Not only without our money (but boy that will hit them hardest), but every other contribution that we make. They will never notice us NOT having sex in front of them ... but they will notice their less bountiful and less beautiful world.





Ok, they won't. A$$hats ... but they'll notice the $$.





(and, yeah, I don't expect €uro to be available on the day of a big party at his place. I just wanted to give the boys another chance to drool over him.) :p

[Ghoulish Delight]

I'm pretty sure we're going to be in Irvine. As much as I am bummed that we haven't been able to join the LoT-at-large for one of these, and as much as I'm uncharacteristically feeling drawn towards what will be a huge showing in L.A., I've lived in OC for over a decade and really do consider this stupid county home, and this is an opportunity to do something to try to improve it.

Yes, even L.A. ended up voting for Prop 8 (pretty much every county that isn't S.F. or adjacent to did), but OC is in far greater need of "fixing" in this area. So I want to stand as a resident of OC in OC and fight for what's right.

[Snowflake]

You could coordinate a meeting place before and hope for the best. I wish I could be the person you meet! I would much prefer to be there, but since I have other plans Saturday evening I have to stay in the valley. Sacramento for me.

Well, I'm dragging my guest from NJ along for the ride! ;)
She's never been to SF before, might as well have a trial by fire and get arrested! ;)

I'll miss trying to find you in the crowd Deebs!

[Disneyphile]

So, do some of the LA folks want to plan a time for us to all take the Blue Line together from Long Beach?

[Gn2Dlnd]

We'll be subwaying it from NoHo. Cell phones at the ready when we arrive. I don't know the layout of City Hall, or the rally parameters, well enough to say to meet in a particular place. Keep your phones on, and we'll find each other.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

It's going to be very hard to find each other. I actually would recommend we meet beforehand in a slightly off-location place. Like, say, for a meal together on Olvera Street or something. This crowd will be larger than the first protest, I'm sure, and we couldn't find Tom until well after the rally. I'd really strongly recommend we have a meeting place and time if we want to be together in this.

[innerSpaceman]

There wasn't much luck with that at the first rally in WeHo, if I recall. And it took over half an hour to find Gn2Dlnd via cell phone method.


That's why I was soooo glad to find the Long Beach LoT contingent within 10 seconds, and find Gemini Cricket in the Silverlake Crowd within 30.


Anyway, I'll try to find some info about where the focal point of the City Hall rally is going to be. I intend to get there early, but I'm going to drive.



GD and CP, I understand your decision. I'll miss you, but Rock On for O.C. ... and we'll all compare Simultaneous Rally stories at the Tiki later.



ETA: If we go with LPSE's suggestion, I'm not sure that will work for me. I'm gonna get there early to be near the, um, stage or whatever. I'm tired of missing every "program" since the one in WeHo. Couldn't hear a thing at either Long Beach or Silverlake.

But I'll have the sign that's my current avatar, and that should make me kinda easy to find ... if all best laid mice and men fails.

[Not Afraid]

I'm so sorry I'm going to miss this one. I just don't see how I could do it and still pull off the party.

[innerSpaceman]

Yeah, it would be tough. Of course, the thing's at 10:30 in the morning. If you stuck to just One Hour, you could have cake and eat also.

It would be hectic ... but that's your middle name, no? :p

[Strangler Lewis]

And again!

[Not Afraid]

Yeah, it would be tough. Of course, the thing's at 10:30 in the morning. If you stuck to just One Hour, you could have cake and eat also.

It would be hectic ... but that's your middle name, no? :p

Well, I have trying to legally change my name lately but the court system is VERY slow.

Let's see.....

8:00 - up, feed and walk animals and eat something
9:00 - get on train to Downtown
10:10 - arrive at Civic Center.
10:30 - 11:30 - protest
11:30 - 12:30 - farwellagains
12:30 - 1:45 - train to LB
2:00 back home for party prep

Can she do it? Will my foot allow for it?

[Sohrshah]

So, do some of the LA folks want to plan a time for us to all take the Blue Line together from Long Beach?

THAT is a great idea! I need to put my car in the shop, so public trans is definitely the best way to do things. Can I give you $$ to drive me to LB, too?

Poor Lance has to help WOW-addicts that day, but gets out at 2:30, so if anything is still going on, he'll meet up with us then.

[Disneyphile]

Can I give you $$ to drive me to LB, too?Sure. We'll probably leave about 8:20 to get to the Blue Line station. However, we're not planning on coming back to OC between the protest and party. We'll either hang out in downtown, or head back to LB and do something there until party time, if you'd like to join us. A Metro day pass is $5, so there are a lot of options for killing the afternoon. :)

Kevy - are you and GusGus planning on making it too?

NA - do you want to meet at the Willow station at 9?

[Kevy Baby]

Kevy - are you and GusGus planning on making it too?Yeah, but I am thinking Orange County. While I would like to be a part of the bigger crowd (both overall and LoT contingency), GD puts up a good argument that it might be better to voice my opinion in my own neighborhood.

[Disneyphile]

Hmmmm. Decisions, decisions......

[Morrigoon]

Well, I have trying to legally change my name lately but the court system is VERY slow.

Let's see.....

8:00 - up, feed and walk animals and eat something
9:00 - get on train to Downtown
10:10 - arrive at Civic Center.
10:30 - 11:30 - protest
11:30 - 12:30 - farwellagains
12:30 - 1:45 - train to LB
2:00 back home for party prep

Can she do it? Will my foot allow for it?

If you're definitely leaving by 12:30, I could ride with you. I have work at 4:30 so I have to make sure I'm back out of there earlyish.

Of if there's going to be an OC thing, I could do that. But OC sounds splintered between Irvine City Hall and South Coast Plaza.

[Sohrshah]

Sure. We'll probably leave about 8:20 to get to the Blue Line station. However, we're not planning on coming back to OC between the protest and party. We'll either hang out in downtown, or head back to LB and do something there until party time, if you'd like to join us. A Metro day pass is $5, so there are a lot of options for killing the afternoon. :)

Kevy - are you and GusGus planning on making it too?

NA - do you want to meet at the Willow station at 9?

That sounds good to me! Lance should be coming up via car after he gets off work, so he can bring me home later, when you go to LB for your party!

[Not Afraid]

DP, do you want to drop off the butter at my house before the train?

9:0 at the station sounds good - depending on if I can walk or not.

[innerSpaceman]

Yeah, but I am thinking Orange County. While I would like to be a part of the bigger crowd (both overall and LoT contingency), GD puts up a good argument that it might be better to voice my opinion in my own neighborhood.

The fault in GD's argument is what it will (potentially) do for him and, thus (potentially) for you ... putting aside what it will add to the smaller Orange County Protest.

Let me 'splain ...


Last Saturday, I went to two protests. One was at the Mormon Temple. It was a small group of about 25. I was really glad I added to the number, because the small number of people made that important. It was my 4th protest of the week.

That night, I went to Silverlake. You'd think I would have been a bit jaded on my 5th protest of the week ... but the HUGE crowd was transformative for me. Experiencing the sheer numbers of people in support of this was nothing short of amazing ... and when I looked back on the whole march (or the portion visible to the human eye) from atop a hill at the end of the route, I almost cried.

It was a taste of I Have A Dream on the Washington mall. Yeah, not that big ... but the bigness was impressive and fantastic and so moving.




So maybe it's a selfish urge ... but I want to witness and be part of the the biggerdom.




There's nothing wrong with supporting your home town effort.

But if I lived in Fresno .... I'd drive down to L.A.


just sayin' :D

[Not Afraid]

If you're definitely leaving by 12:30, I could ride with you. I have work at 4:30 so I have to make sure I'm back out of there earlyish.

Of if there's going to be an OC thing, I could do that. But OC sounds splintered between Irvine City Hall and South Coast Plaza.


If I go, I won't be driving, I'll be training it.

[Morrigoon]

I meant ride the train back :) This is definitely not a plentiful parking situation.

NA, can you post directions to the station?

[Not Afraid]

The station is on the corner of Willow and Long Beach Blvd in the same lot that houses an Albertson's, a Carl's, a Rite-Aid. The actual station is actually behind the Starbucks through the parking garage.

[Strangler Lewis]

No! No! No!

[Sohrshah]

That sounds good to me! Lance should be coming up via car after he gets off work, so he can bring me home later, when you go to LB for your party!

Sure. We'll probably leave about 8:20 to get to the Blue Line station. However, we're not planning on coming back to OC between the protest and party. We'll either hang out in downtown, or head back to LB and do something there until party time, if you'd like to join us. A Metro day pass is $5, so there are a lot of options for killing the afternoon. :)

Kevy - are you and GusGus planning on making it too?

NA - do you want to meet at the Willow station at 9?

On second thought, I might have him take the train too, we're supposed to be going to RHPS that night...

[Disneyphile]

DP, do you want to drop off the butter at my house before the train?Totally forgot to factor that in! We'll leave my place at 8 then.

[Sohrshah]

Totally forgot to factor that in! We'll leave my place at 8 then.

I'll be ready at 8!

[Ghoulish Delight]

The fault in GD's argument is what it will (potentially) do for him and, thus (potentially) for you ... putting aside what it will add to the smaller Orange County Protest.
Today's Thursday. Soccer day. I play every week on the public field, directly across from City Hall. Playing today cemented my decision as to where I want my voice to be heard.

[BarTopDancer]

If we go, and that is a giant IF, contingent on out of town visitors and plans that were firmed up before this was announced, it will be in the OC.

While LA may be moving and huge,OC needs a voice too. Both counties voted to pass this. Both counties have their pockets of liberal and conservative residents. Both counties need to know that legalized discrimination is not acceptable.

[Kevy Baby]

Today's Thursday. Soccer day. I play every week on the public field, directly across from City Hall. Playing today cemented my decision as to where I want my voice to be heard.Did something in particular happen?

Both counties have their pockets of liberal and conservative residents.Let's be honest: OC is one giant pocket of conservatives with tiny little spots of liberals.

[innerSpaceman]

Did something in particular happen?

Can't answer for GD, but if I did some regular activity at a place that would later in the week be one of the sites of a protest rally I wanted to attend ... I could hardly resist choosing that location.



Or maybe he scored a goal and equal rights is his other goal. :cool:

[LSPoorEeyorick]

I can respect choosing to protest in your own county. I hope we'll all be able to protest as a big group sometime soon, though - something about getting all of us there, and together, would feel very satisfying, I think. Even despite the pain and frustration of this battle.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Did something in particular happen?
No, just being there reinforced the point that it's home


Let's be honest: OC is one giant pocket of conservatives with tiny little spots of liberals.I'd hardly call Laguna tiny. Or UC Irvine. Just to name a couple. Prop 8 passed here, but it was 57-42. McCain won here, but by only 50-47. OC ain't what it used to be, let's try to get it over that edge.

[BarTopDancer]

Did something in particular happen?

Let's be honest: OC is one giant pocket of conservatives with tiny little spots of liberals.

Eh, I think certain areas are more conservative than others. But I don't think it's one giant pocket of conservatives with tiny little spots of liberals. I'm finding that the OC bashing is getting tiresome.

[innerSpaceman]

Hahah, that's 'cause you're stuck in the O.C. :p




But seriously, we're all likely stuck in a past time. Orange County is less conservative than it once was, and our perceptions haven't caught up.


My perception was the L.A. County was unabashedly liberal ... and we all know how that turned out last week.

:(

[BarTopDancer]

Hahah, that's 'cause you're stuck in the O.C. :p




But seriously, we're all likely stuck in a past time. Orange County is less conservative than it once was, and our perceptions haven't caught up.


My perception was the L.A. County was unabashedly liberal ... and we all know how that turned out last week.

:(

I think your second statement is truer. I used to hate it, think it was way to boring... but the more I explore the more I find things to do close to home.

[Kevy Baby]

I'd hardly call Laguna tiny. Or UC Irvine. Just to name a couple. Prop 8 passed here, but it was 57-42. McCain won here, but by only 50-47. OC ain't what it used to be, let's try to get it over that edge.Eh, I think certain areas are more conservative than others. But I don't think it's one giant pocket of conservatives with tiny little spots of liberals.But seriously, we're all likely stuck in a past time. Orange County is less conservative than it once was, and our perceptions haven't caught up.Living in Brea (still VERY conservative), my views are a little jaded I admit.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Of if there's going to be an OC thing, I could do that. But OC sounds splintered between Irvine City Hall and South Coast Plaza.There are 575 confirmed on Facebook for Irvine (and remember, not everyone is on Facebook). Seems decently huge to me...

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Well, it's not actually huge. Not in comparison to even the small LA rallies. But you're not going for huge, you're going to represent your beliefs in your home town.

[Isaac]

About 4,200 confirmed for the LA protest on Facebook.

:D

[innerSpaceman]

KPFK keeps insisting there were 20,000 people at Silverlake last Saturday.

Mainstream media insisted it was 5,000.


Guess what my own personal estimate was, without even knowing it would be right in between. That's right, 10,000 was my guestimate from being there.

That's a lot. It was impressive. I hope there's more downtown on Saturday ... and frankly, I NEED the huge turnout to encourage me. This has to stay active in some form for 6 months or so, till the Surpreme Court decides the issue. So it's important for me to see high energy and interest now, because it will obviously slough off over time.



Anyway, I'm looking forward to sharing the day with all you cool folks who will be there, and for trading stories later at the Tiki Party ... where we're going to have a big send-off for the grand old gay activist of our group.

[Isaac]

:mad:Grrrr..... Some jerk on Facebook posted this:

Why is it when someone doesn't get their way that must mean that everything else is wrong and they are right..This has been compared to the civil rights era, but is in no way even like that...Why is this country always giving up its values and morals, just to be politically correct? How far are we willing to go? If you don't like the attention being gay brings, then don't chose that lifestyle. This stuff that is taking place in California is greatly hypercritical.. The courts shouldn't legislate from the bench..Where does it say that marriage is a right?

[alphabassettgrrl]

Ha- I wonder what he'd say if it were *his* right to marry taken away.

[CoasterMatt]

How about if straights can only get married after a waiting period, you know, like buying a firearm?

[alphabassettgrrl]

I almost like that idea.

[CoasterMatt]

My dad has advocated the "waiting period for a marriage" for a long time now. He especially became interested in that after my sister's first marriage.

[CoasterMatt]

I'll be attending Saturday - I need to be a part of this, and I'll take plenty of pictures.

[innerSpaceman]

Apparently, the whole choice canard is behind lots of the antipathy towards gay marriage rights.

No matter who thinks such things, you have to wonder how they can manage such a complex task as tying their shoes when they can't seem to make the leap from "Hmmm, did I choose to be straight" to the obvious answer of the gay choice question.

Then, of course, for anyone still with us past the neanderthal stage of human brain power .... the question remains ... so what if it is?

How does that choice invalidate in any way my right as free being to select the mate I want to spend my life with?


Of course, it's not a choice. And of course ... it is.


Don't be concerned with facebook jerkwad. He's a mental amoeba.



* * * *

But yeah, I can see the perspective of sore losers a bit. We lost, why don't we just accept it gracefully?


HA!


Maybe this is how it had to happen! Maybe this is what's needed to awake the sleeping giant. I hope to see some more awakening this weekend.

Maybe Prop 8 had to fail so this could be decided, once and for all, by the California Supreme Court ... instead of going back and forth in dueling ballot battles forever.




Yes of course this is how it had to happen.

How do I know?


Because that's how it happened.

[Gemini Cricket]

:mad:Grrrr..... Some jerk on Facebook posted this:
If the courts come up with a decision that the religious "right" doesn't like, they automatically throw around the phrase "legislating from the bench". I say ignore the comment. This person is infested with fear. He/she is so not worth debating with.

[Morrigoon]

Integration was legislated from the bench. Just because the mob didn't choose it, doesn't mean it's not the right thing to do.

[Morrigoon]

I don't know who all here has joined OCEC group on Facebook, but I just got this message, and thought I'd share:

URGENT: We just learned that TOMORROW (Friday) at NOON, the Mormons are holding an urgent Prop 8 Press Conference in the main ballroom of the Doubletree Hotel in Santa Ana, at 201 E. Macarthur Blvd.

We MUST be there in front of the hotel to greet them peacefully and get our own press coverage.

The Doubletree Hotel is located 0.2 miles along Macarthur Blvd. NW of the 55 freeway, and 300 feet from S. Main St., nr. Imperial Promenade.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Santa+Ana&state=CA&address=201+E.+Macarthur+Blvd.+

They are asking their "Yes" supporters to bring their "Yes on Prop 8" signs and want to have 250 people in attendance with signs of any kind.

We MUST have equivalent press coverage, so it is ESSENTIAL that we be in front of the hotel with our signs, representing the righteous.

Their pitch will most likely be their right to pass whatever laws they want as well as their First Amendment Rights.

They want all nationalities and faith groups represented (even the Tongan Mormans!)

They are upset over the display of intolerance they have been experiencing the past week and want the media to know that!!!

OCEC


Note: I want to emphasize "PEACEFULLY greet." They are there to make themselves look like the victims and voice how they have experienced intolerance from all our protests. Let's not prove them right. Let's remind the media who the real victims of prop 8 are.

Hmm, if I had to venture a guess, I'd say they're holding this press conference because they know there's a little sump'n sump'n in the way of a NATIONAL PROTEST going on the next day.

[innerSpaceman]

Well Hell, of course I can't get to Orange County in the middle of a work day ... and I daresay most folks nearer by can't do that either.


But, sigh, this hits me as far more important than tomorrow's rally. This must be met with counter-measures ... so i hope some good people somewhere in the O.C. are available and up to it.


Not necessarily LoT people, just good people ... of which we are a sub-set. :blush:

[Isaac]

Focus On The Family, which donated half a million $ to yes on 8, is now planning layoffs.


Focus on the Family planning layoffs

Comments 35 (http://www.gazette.com/articles/focus_43380___article.html/family_layoffs.html#slComments) | Recommend (javascript:recommendReview('Articlecolgazette4338 0')) 0
November 13, 2008 - 4:09PM
MARK BARNA (mark.barna@gazette.com)
THE GAZETTE
Focus on the Family plans an unspecified number of layoffs, and will be announcing specifics in the next few of days, Focus spokesman Gary Schneeberger said Thursday.
This comes on the heels of Focus' announcement in October that 46 employees would be reassigned or laid off next year due to a restructuring of its distribution arm. Focus has a staff of about 1,200 people.


:D:snap:

[Ghoulish Delight]

Shoot, I think I have something at work at lunch today. if not I'll try to be there.

[Kevy Baby]

If the courts come up with a decision that the religious "right" doesn't like, they automatically throw around the phrase "legislating from the bench".And the left would do the exact same thing if the courts did something they didn't like.

[Betty]

And the left would do the exact same thing if the courts did something they didn't like.

OH stop trying to be the voice of reason! :D

[Cadaverous Pallor]

And the left would do the exact same thing if the courts did something they didn't like.I keep trying to come up with a comparable situation and keep failing.

Of course, if the courts decided to restrict rights instead of allowing them, I'd be pissed off, and people that were fans of such a thing would be happy. But I think that's kind of the point...

[innerSpaceman]

Voice of bu!!sh!t. Maybe you can find me an example, but I've never seen an instance of progressives claiming such absurdities. Not even with hardcore rightwing Supreme Court rulings.


Oh, the one exception ... and it wasn't referred to as legislating from the bench - - it was referred to as a coup d'etat.



In my experience, however, progressives have a positive and accepting view of justice, even when they don't agree with every ruling and decision.


Instead, it is indeed the legislature we decry for what are deemed crimes in this nation. But we are blessed with, ya know, intelligence and we call judges' decisions that are a crock or immoral, a "crock" or "immoral." We don't call them legislation.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I'm free and work 5 minutes away. I've got a sign in my car (I was in a hurry out the door so stupidly only grabbed one sign instead of the 3 I have to share) and will most likely be there.

[Gemini Cricket]

And the left would do the exact same thing if the courts did something they didn't like.
I don't deny the fact that there are actual instances of judges legislating from the bench. I can't deny that the left doesn't use the phrase too. But since Bush, McCain etc started flying that term around in regards to marriage equality, a lot of conservatives have been using it in lockstep. It's a blanket, catch-all phrase that has been used to discount court findings that say, hey they do deserve the same treatment. When several courts in different states are deciding the same thing, shouldn't that mean something? No, let's just label their findings as that, it's easier to dismiss that way. When a group is sleeping in the same bed with these rigid churches and religious organizations then decides to discount the courts, I find that dangerous.

[Betty]

OC Weekly photos of recent protest. Got me all choked up.

http://www.ocweekly.com/slideshow/view/184463/1

[JWBear]

It's not "legislating from the bench", it's "fufilling their constitutional duties". Anyone who thinks that judges shouldn't overturn unjust and unconstitutional laws is anti-American.

[innerSpaceman]

I'm free and work 5 minutes away. I've got a sign in my car ... and will most likely be there.

AND ... you're my new hero. :snap: :snap: :snap:

[Not Afraid]

There is also a protest in LB (City Hall) tomorrow at 10.

[Gn2Dlnd]

^ I think that protest is everywhere at City Hall tomorrow. ;)

[innerSpaceman]

I don't deny the fact that there are actual instances of judges legislating from the bench.
With all due respect, Mr. Cricket, you are incorrect. There's no such thing as legislating from the bench. No judge has ever passed a law. Judges interpret the law and even the most evil and depraved rulings are but twisted interpretations of the law.

Some may find those interpretations so twisted they are contrary to the actual law (in their opinion), but they are not new law. Judge's set precedent. It is not law. I admit that may be confusing to the layman.

So please consider yourself informed.



Name me an instance of judge's legislating from the bench. That's a challenge open to Kevy, Cricket, and everyone.


Sorry, but the term makes me ill, it's for retards, and I'm sick of it.


It's so disrespectful of the brilliance of our admittedly imperfect system. Not all justice is really that ... too far from it, I'm afraid. But try to imagine where we'd be without our structure for impartial justice. OMG, how much more fuct our lives would all be.

We certainly wouldn't have been fighting to preserve our marriage rights. We wouldn't have had them.




Sigh. My apologies for the rant. Pet.Peeve. :(

[Gemini Cricket]

Maybe I'm confused but if every judge thought the way you do, then there should be no disagreements in the Supreme Court. There wouldn't be a concern about who is appointing judges to the Supreme Court if they were all interpreting law correctly. I can't for a second believe that someone like Scalia has never voted without his conservative agenda in mind.

[Kevy Baby]

Name me an instance of judge's legislating from the bench. That's a challenge open to Kevy, Cricket, and everyone.This is a silly challenge. You make a statement about the legal terminology that you are better informed than Cricket or I (and most of the people on LoT).

My statement was a simple observation in response to GC's post:
If the courts come up with a decision that the religious "right" doesn't like, they automatically throw around the phrase "legislating from the bench".And my response was not in regards to the specific wording but a comment that neither the right or the left is immune to a critical response if a decision doesn't go the way they want it.

[Morrigoon]

(bolding mine)
It's not "legislating from the bench", it's "fufilling their constitutional duties". Anyone who thinks that judges shouldn't overturn unjust and unconstitutional laws is anti-American.

Dude, you just wrote an awesome sign!

[Ghoulish Delight]

Maybe I'm confused but if every judge thought the way you do, then there should be no disagreements in the Supreme Court. There wouldn't be a concern about who is appointing judges to the Supreme Court if they were all interpreting law correctly. I can't for a second believe that someone like Scalia has never voted without his conservative agenda in mind.
He's not saying all judges make correct decisions or don't vote according to an agenda. He's saying that the term "legislate from the branch" (and I'd lump "activist judge" in with it) is a deceitful misnomer used to dismiss decisions that conservatives happen to not agree with.

[innerSpaceman]

^ yes, GD says it better than I. Sorry I flew off the handle, but being in the law biz (disclaimer: I'm NOT a lawyer), I find the absurd charge of "Activist" judges and "Legislating from the Bench" so completely offensive.

Otherwise, of course, I agree completely with what Gemini Cricket posted above about what a rightwing catch-phrase it has become. And, in turn, that's why it bugs me so much.

Worse, it's a dangerous slope that promotes intolerance for the rule of law. I'm certainly not one to be in lockstep with the rule of law ... but without a certain measure of respect for our judicial system, we're screwed. But of course, not nearly as much as we'd be screwed without our judicial system ... which is why wholesale disrespect for it really bugs me.

[Kevy Baby]

...a deceitful misnomer used to dismiss decisions that conservatives happen to not agree with.Couldn't it also apply to a decision that a liberal happens to not agree with as well? Or a moderate?

[Ghoulish Delight]

Couldn't it also apply to a decision that a liberal happens to not agree with as well? Or a moderate?You'd be hard pressed to find liberals or moderates using either of those terms.They are dismissive phrases used almost exclusively by right wing political hacks attempting to discredit the judicial branch.

You'll find liberals disagreeing with particular rulings, but you will not find them outright dismissing the role of the courts.

[innerSpaceman]

As I already pointed out, there are PLENTY of decisions we progressives disagree with. No progressive I've ever known or heard has ever used those terms of dismissal.

We simply say we disagree, set forth why, and speak like intelligent people - instead of demonizing and using misleading phrases as ad hominem attacks as if we didn't have any other leg to stand on for our rational arguments.



Let's face it, liberals and progressives are just So Cool. :cool:

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Seriously, is there an example of a judicial decision that progressives have called "legislating from the bench"?

Oh, and psh, the concept that everyone on the left wing "speaks like intelligent people" is a joke. :rolleyes:

[JWBear]

You're welcome... ;)

[QUOTE=Kevy Baby;253603]Couldn't it also apply to a decision that a liberal happens to not agree with as well? Or a moderate?

It could. But so far, it has been a term used exclusivly by the right.

[innerSpaceman]

So .... now I'm getting a wee bit nervous about parking downtown, even at my little-known lot near the courthouse. Choices for the subway have me driving first to either Hollywood or Long Beach, but the Long Beach (Blue) line at least stops near City Hall.


So is there a meeting time at the station (at Willow and LB Blvd. is it?) ???

[Ghoulish Delight]

Back from the trenches.

I'm an idiot and left my phone sitting at work on the charger, so no photos from me :(. But there were plenty of folks there with cameras, including one Mr. Norm Fishbulb, so there are sure to be photos available in a day or so.

I took an early lunch so I could be there before the scheduled noon press conference while they were arriving. As I pulled into the parking lot I spotted about 4 people with signs on the corner. In the parking lot, as I walked across it with my sign, there were a few news vans and MANY people carrying yellow Yes banners. It's the first time I've been on the streets outnumbered like that, a new experience.

I said hi to the few people that were there. The organizer recognized my sign from Saddleback. Then a cop came over and gave the usual, "Be safe and polite" speech. He then let us know that the lot I happened to be parked in was probably not the best lot to be in, so I handed my sign off while I tooled around for a place to park that wouldn't get me towed. It also meant that I think I missed most of the news crew filming that went on.

By the time I got back the crowd had already grown quite a bit. Probably 40 or so folks, some had moved to a corner across the street. Shortly, as the number of protesters continued to increase, a contingent moved away from the hotel entrance and towards the busier intersection at McArthur. Maybe 15 people ended up over there.

Eventually, with but an evening's and morning's notice, the crowd swelled to somewhere around 100 people! It was amazing, we overwhelmed the trickle of Yes folk heading into the hotel. Peacefully but angrily greeting them with chants of "No on Hate" or "Yes You Hate".

I had to get out of there pretty early as I still needed to grab food before returning to work, but with the solid size of the crowd, with more people arriving by the minute, it was a good time to depart, but not before I went out of my way to drive by with a supportive blare of the horn while I made my U-turn.

Tomorrow should be an experience.

[Disneyphile]

So is there a meeting time at the station (at Willow and LB Blvd. is it?) ???9 am.

And, I plan on transferring from the Blue to Red, probably to Pershing Square, which is much closer to City Hall.

A Metro day pass is $5, and includes transfers to all lines, including buses. Or, single roundtrip is $2.50.

It's a hell of a lot cheaper than gas and parking.

[Morrigoon]

Back from the trenches.

I'm an idiot and left my phone sitting at work on the charger, so no photos from me :(. But there were plenty of folks there with cameras, including one Mr. Norm Fishbulb, so there are sure to be photos available in a day or so.


I'm so glad you made it! I wish I could have been there, but it conflicted with my appointment to be called by unemployment, which I couldn't risk missing. Thanks for the status report, I'm glad to hear there were lots of folks who showed up!

[innerSpaceman]

Thanks, Greg ... you rock.




Metro Day Pass? I bought one at the H&H Station for the detour festival, only to find out later it was only good for a few hours.



There's supposed to be some march involved in the rally tomorrow. Feh. Not only do I not feel like more trudging ... but a march through ghostdowntown will be more useless even than the empty route thru Silverlake last weekend.

If I'm gonna march, I don't need it to be for the masturbatory entertainment of the gay crowd itself. We need to be somewhere visible.


I'm borrowing back my word from €uro.


Bah.

[Ghoulish Delight]

So nothing seems to be running on the news about either the press conference or the protest. A google search for it turns up a page with 8 links for people calling to get No protestors out (including this thread) and 2 links to get Yes people out. Yay!

[Disneyphile]

If I'm gonna march, I don't need it to be for the masturbatory entertainment of the gay crowd itself. We need to be somewhere visible.Feel like coming to OC?

I'm open to switching if that's where a lot of other LoT folks will still be.

[BarTopDancer]

There really is an LOLimage for everything.


http://punditkitchen.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/political-pictures-italian-air-force-fabulous.jpg

[Morrigoon]

So nothing seems to be running on the news about either the press conference or the protest. A google search for it turns up a page with 8 links for people calling to get No protestors out (including this thread) and 2 links to get Yes people out. Yay!

Better they should get no attention at all for their conference, and have the protest be in vain, than have them be taken seriously by the media.

[Morrigoon]

LA's City Hall will be visible. Where do you think all the local news crews will focus on?

[innerSpaceman]

And no, I'm not up to switching at this point. I still want to be part of the Big Thing ... but I don't see the point in marching around downtown. For Who??

The L.A.P.D. have been very nice, but they want to keep us out of sight and away from snarling up any more traffic. I'm all for the latter, but nix on the former.

[innerSpaceman]

Oh, and I read an interesting thing in the Letters column of the L.A. Weekly. Seems if there's enough protesters at the Mormon Temple, they lock it down. No one in, no one out.

That means Mormon Weddings Cannot Be Performed. A better irony I can't think of.


So protests there around the clock would be more my speed.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Just a couple of corrections here...

I plan on transferring from the Blue to Red, probably to Pershing Square, which is much closer to City Hall.

Actually, it's twice as long (6 blocks) from City Hall than Union Station is (3 blocks) - but neither are terribly far. You'll make it there faster if you don't have to wait for the connecting train and walk the shorter distance.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v379/powerswaterworks/map.jpg

Metro Day Pass? I bought one at the H&H Station for the detour festival, only to find out later it was only good for a few hours.

I don't know who told you that, but an actual day pass is good for the entirety of the day you buy it. (It's worth more at 8 am than 8 pm, because there's less day left, sure... but it doesn't run out before midnight.)

Our Day Pass makes it easier than ever to go Metro! You can ride any Metro bus or rail line all day long for just $5.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Who's going to the Irvine rally? If 100 people showed up to an impromptu weekday rally, the one this weekend should be pretty large. A meeting place and time might be a good idea.

[Disneyphile]

We might switch to Irvine, depending on how much of my work I can get done today. And, looking at how much I have done, there's a 75% chance of switching, since I would need tomorrow afternoon to finish up.

I'll let you all know this evening.

And, NA, if that's the case, then I'll just bring the butter to the party - we'll be on time. :)

[Disneyphile]

Ok, that was fast. Just talked to Ken, and we're switching teams. ;)

[innerSpaceman]

Mmm. ok. Then I'm nixing Long Beach. At least till later in the day ;)

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Bummer.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Okay, we all have cell phones, so I don't think it should be too hard, but just in case it turns out to be nutty over there, I'll suggest a meeting place, since I know the area.

There are 3 main parking lots for the civic center, one just off Alton, 2 off of Harvard/Civic Center Plaza. They're big and it's a Saturday so there won't be many employees there, but I imagine they'll fill up quickly. There's street parking in surrounding neighborhoods.

My proposed meetup point is across Civic Center Plaza from actual city hall. If you're coming off of Harvard and turn onto Civic Center Plaza, there is a parking lot on the right, past the bunny crossing sign (yes, bunny crossing sign, even though I've never seen a bunny there). Turn right (or walk right if you've parked elsewhere) and head straight towards the fields/stadium, there are some flags, a plaque, a large planter and a drinking fountain, easy to spot. I've traced a bit of the route and circled the spot on the map and the satelite view below. The "A" marks City Hall.

[innerSpaceman]

Yeah. Well, I'm back to driving then. Or maybe into Hollywood for the subway. Dunno.

[CoasterMatt]

If you take the Red Line from Hollywood - just get off at the Civic Center stop. It's the closest to City Hall.
I'll be using public transit for the whole trip.

[Morrigoon]

I'm switching to the Irvine protest, kids. Just FYI.

[Disneyphile]

Okay, we all have cell phones, so I don't think it should be too hard, but just in case it turns out to be nutty over there, I'll suggest a meeting place, since I know the area.Any specific time in mind? 10:15 maybe?

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

I'll be in front of Disneyland's City Hall. :)

[Kevy Baby]

I'll be in front of Disneyland's City Hall. :)Okay: that would be funny if there was a protest at DL City Hall

[Kevy Baby]

Susan and I will be at Irvine

[innerSpaceman]

Um, Irvine's been called off you guys. For you anyway. It's against the rules (ok, the guidelines) for Lot Straights to Go to an Equal Marriage Rights Protest without a Lot Gay Mascot.

S'far as I know, all us Gayz are going to L.A.


Better line up one of the uncommited (JWBear and SCC come to mind) or else you'll all have to come up to L.A. after all. :p

[Isaac]

Some guys from my Madonna board will be there & might meet up w/ me.

Celebrity gossip Perez Hilton will be there too.

On Facebook, over 4,900 people have confirmed they will be there for the protest.

Tomorrow's the big gay..er,um day!

:D

[CoasterMatt]

So will I be the only straight LoT'er downtown L.A. tomorrow?

[Ghoulish Delight]

10:15 sounds good to me. 'goon, I got your voicemail. I don't have much advice beyond what I posted above. If those 3 lots are full I think there's one more a little further up Harvard. Other than that, look in the residential areas across Harvard, there should be street parking.

[JWBear]

Better line up one of the uncommited (JWBear and SCC come to mind) or else you'll all have to come up to L.A. after all. :p

Unfortunately, we have a commitment tomorrow morning.

[Not Afraid]

We won't be at any of the protests. Too much to do still.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Ok, planning to go to LA tomorrow for this. It'll be my first protest ever! It'll be exciting. Don't have a good handle on who's going to LA other than ISM and CoasterMatt, but that's ok.

[innerSpaceman]

If i'm not mistaken LPSE and Tom are still going, for the straights, and representing de gays will be me, isaac and Gemini Cricket. isaac's got some pals he might want to meet up with, so have i (a few folks that were at the halloween party ... you know them, isaac ... alyse, remi and bryan).

[CoasterMatt]

DAMN!! Of all the days for this freakin' fire! :mad:

I can't breathe, and the animals are really nervous. We're ok firewise, but the smoke is really bad - it looks scary outside.

I even made my sign and everything, but as of right now, I'm not gonna be able to go.

[innerSpaceman]

Wow, i didn't know it was that close. Holy Frell.


Goodest of Luck. OMG



* * * * * * * * *


sigh, i'm still going. my new plan is .... blue line from long beach. isaac, wanna meet me at the willow station? i'll call you.

[CoasterMatt]

All this stupid fire coverage isn't gonna help the protest, either :(

Hope everybody is safe.

[Ghoulish Delight]

:mad:

I suppose I should thank the Yes on 8 assholes for getting me properly mad for a protest.

Things I'm currently angry about. First, ABC7 did cover yesterday's press conference in Santa Ana. However they said NOTHING about the 100+ people protesting out side, and worse, the way they wrote their story they legitimized the bogus claim that there have been "attacks on people" by the No protestors. See for yourself here (http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/video?id=6506835)

Second, one of the protesters managed to get into the press conference room. His full account is here (http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=92930760636&topic=6165). I've selected a few choice moments.

• Opening statements were that “The Church (not just Mormon) has spoken and it is NO ON GAY”. Please note that is not a typo. They said “NO ON GAY”. Clearly that does not reflect everyone but those were the exact words used.
• Sonja Eddings Brown said “We are not preaching hate towards the gay community. We all have gay friends. Some work in fashion, some work in retail, and some are writers. Our gay friends and neighbors are not here protesting today because they are decent people that pay taxes”. ← Exact words. Just to illustrate how they describe the gay community.
• “The contributions of the Church have paid off”. This was in reference to Prop 8 passing.
• “The gay community is acting like a bunch of Nazis by bullying the supporters of traditional marriage. The YES ON 8 people are being victimized like the Jews were victimized by the Nazis”.


One last note. I was asked to leave by a security guard employed by the Double Tree Hotel “because no gay people are allowed at this meeting”.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Oh, and holding sails signs in this wind will be interesting. We may be drilling some holes in ours.