Dobson Is A Prick, We Let Him Know

In a post from my old blog, I talked about attending rallies and protests. At the time, I held a belief that people that attended protests often could care less about the protest itself. They either wanted to push their own agenda (which was hardly ever the same as the topic of the protest) or they simply enjoyed protesting. It was with that same mentality that I went to the protest against James Dobson's induction into the Broadcasting Hall Of Fame in downtown Chicago last night, and I'm pleased to say that the protest was nothing like I expected.

One thing I knew going into the protest was that people were mad. Us members of the LGBT community have suffered terrible blows recently with the passage of anti-gay measures in California, Arizona, Florida and Arkansas this past Tuesday. In some states we were denied our rights to marriage and in others we were denied our rights to adoption children were denied their rights to a good home.  What made this different is that we as a community finally made some advancements in California only to have the Crazy Christians sweep in and steal it away.

What I found at the protest was actually different then what I expected to find though.  While there was a definitive sense of anger and outrage, there was an even greater sense of community and purpose.  In between chants, people were smiling and talking.  Some of the younger people in the crowd were dancing and making their own songs.  You could literally see people bonding and forming new friendships right in the masses.  Most importantly, everyone was there for the same reason: To protest the man behind Focus On The Family and their direct involvement in the passing of Proposition 8 in California.

Even in the bustle of downtown Chicago, the protest could be heard a block and a half away.  Huge banners proclaiming "Equality Now" were attracting everyone's eyes to the scene.  I arrived in time to hear Bob Schwartz of the Gay Liberation Network (they organized the event) speak and rally the troops.  Shortly after, we began our march.  The crowd moved at a steady pace, going a block south and a block west around the building chanting the whole way.  I took a few moments to stand on a fixture just to get some perspective on the whole event, and I have to say it was a powerful message.

Here was a mass of LGBT people marching an chanting in unison, demanding equal rights and calling for an end to honoring bigotry in the media.  Here was a horde of people that were angry, but instead of causing harm to anyone, we turned it around and made it positive, affirming and fun.  Here was a group of people that would not and will not back down. 

And that is what these bigots need to fear the most.  We won't back down.  We will get our rights.  And they will be shown for the haters they are. 

I've scattered pictures throughout this post from the event, but there are more at my web album.  Below is a You Tube video about the only person that was arrested at the event.  I'll let the video speak for itself.  Overall, I have to that this was one of the best experiences I've had, and it's one of the most important experiences as well.  It excites me that this is just the beginning, and I look forward to fighting the fight for equality.