On Saturday many of you took part in Join The Impact and attended an anti-Prop 8/Pro-marriage equality demonstration in your area. You can read about my experience HERE.
I had asked anyone who attended a rally to send me pictures and/or a recap - and I was overwhelmed by the response. And Dust Bunnies in two cities really showed their Dust Bunny pride while voicing their support of equal rights for all.
I had asked anyone who attended a rally to send me pictures and/or a recap - and I was overwhelmed by the response. And Dust Bunnies in two cities really showed their Dust Bunny pride while voicing their support of equal rights for all.
Reports say that people in 300 cities in the U.S. and abroad attended rallies. Here are reports from nine of them. When I didn't have a photo, I got one from Towleroad's impressive photo album of many of the protests across the nation - see it HERE.
Dover, Delaware:
The Delaware Dust Bunnies get the first honorable mention for Dust Bunny pride! Here is blogger Mark (left) who I met here in NYC a few weeks ago, and frequent commenter Howard (right). Howard CAME CORRECT with Dust Bunny signage. Work!!! Check out Mark's blog - Tales Of The Sissy - HERE.
Howard's account:I had no idea what to expect from the rally in Dover, Delaware. I grew up in Delaware, just about 15 miles north of Dover, but have lived away from here most of my adult life until moving back. I rarely go out [the closest gay bars are an hour away], and don’t really know too many gays here. I enlisted my niece, Mandy, to join me, figuring she might be straight, but always up for a fun time. She, in turn, enlisted Nancy, someone she works with who is the mother of a lesbian. We met at Mandy’s house, and drove to Dover City Hall. I wasn’t sure if that would make 6 of us, or 60.
I printed up some signs of the web, and made one special just to keep the spirit of Dustville with us.
Well, there were four people when we walked up there, all of who were quite nice. Of course, the rainbow flag was flying high, as was a nice State of Delaware flag. Soon a few more people walked up to join us. Slowly but surely, the numbers grew to a very proud group of 35 or 40, a wonderful mix of str8 and gay, old and young, black and white. I was particularly pleased to see a group of 3 younger people of color, who stood on the street and voiced their support for the issue of equality.
There was lots of fun chatting, but it was truly wonderful to meet Mark_DE in person! I had known he was coming, and posted to him that I was planning to attend as well, and had hoped we would cross paths. We did. He is handsome, bright and charming, and his significant other, also quite good-looking and sweet. We chatted a bit [yes, I am jealous Mark met David and I have not]. It was great.
I was there for 2 hours, standing on the sidewalk, holding up signs and taking pictures. There was no chanting, but when the cars passing by either honked or waved, we cheered for them and waved back. The passersby were quite friendly and supportive, although one group did yell out their support for President-Elect Obama. There was also a rather zealous young passenger in a car who hung out the window and screamed ‘Fuck Prop 8!’
After 2 hours on the sidewalk, it was time to head home. What a wonderful afternoon. The weather was great, the people were fun and wonderful, and I had a feeling of accomplishment that if nothing else, I let my voice be heard today.
Lexington, KY:
Longtime Dust Bunny Travis Spears said the following:We had about 250 down in Louisville in front of the City Hall, about 40 miles from where I live. Mostly gay folks but a few Moms and Dads of some cute gay boys too. My straight nephew and his girlfriend went with me. It was cold and raining and snowing for about an hour. Louisville is pretty laid back, not liberal, not conservative. No one really gets excited about anything. If the weather had been nicer, but still it was okay. Some straight couple whose son is gay brought coffee for a lot of people.
Chicago:
Marker took this picture at the Chicago rally. Hello Mr. Blue Nike Cap! Read the account on Marker's blog - Echo Chamber - HERE.
And here is Dan (right) with his friend Polo.Columbus, OH:
The Columbus rally was larger than I think anyone expected, particularly considering the ad-hoc nature of the demo and the hideous weather. What appeared to be between 250 and 300 people rallied on the steps of Columbus city hall despite the cold, rainy, windy weather. Logistically, it was a an awkward affair with the speaker(s) being a the door of the hall and the crowd being divided by the steps and landscaping there, which made it very hard to hear. But the turnout and the signs indicated far greater passion than the sporadic, church-like call and response chants would suggest.
A couple of the speakers, particularly Daniel Coleman and Rick Neal of Equality Ohio, did a great job of focusing and firing up the crowd and giving the assembled an idea what to do with this new found passion. (In contrast, one speaker, somewhat humorously, had people call out to his, "What do we want?" "Equal Rights!" but gave no guidance to what to answer to his, "What are going to do about it?!" This, of course, led to lots of random muttering.)
Eventually, part of the crowd moved to the sidewalk where they succeeded in getting a good number of passing cars to wave and honk in support.
Considering the small-town nature of Columbus, the weather and the speed with which this was organized, it was a great success.
Colorado Springs:
Thanks to The Java Junkie (who authors an awesome Top Chef blog - see it HERE) for sending THIS story about the demonstration in Colorado Springs. Her favorite sign, not shown, said:
"There is nothing love cannot face; there is no limit to its faith, its hope, and endurance."
Nashville:
My "Auntie Flame" - our darling Joy - sent two links - HERE and HERE - regarding the protest in Nashville. The second one has a poll you should take. And check out Joy's blog HERE.Burlington, VT:
From Dust Bunny Amber Lemay - of the legendary House of Lemay (see their blog HERE):My "friend" Bob Bolyard attended the rainy gathering on Church Street in Burlington today. It looked like around 200 people were there huddled under their umbrellas. The event was coordinated by the Vermont Freedom To Marry Task Force. Vermont was the first state to recognize same-sex couples with the historic Civil Union legislation that became law in 2000
Atlanta:
Dust Bunny Kayce (you know her better as Chef the City - the name of her BLOG) attended the smaller of two Atlanta demonstrations - a candlelight vigil later in the evening. She said:
YEY!!! this was so moving and uplifting, esp seeing how many people across the board who were allies of equal rights: all colors, genders, and orientations. I LOVE ATLANTA!!!
Houston:
This picture taken by Timmy. Check out his full report on his fabulous blog - St8 Up With A Twist HERE.
Dust Bunny AlnHouston took a picture of this "Papi-in-Training" just for me! Nice pouch, Papi!!!!
Dust Bunny MOF took this picture during the demonstration, and was so proud of herself because she was able to send it from her phone, directly to me. I still don't know how to do that.
But THIS picture, ladies and gentlemen, is the WINNER. HOUSTON DUST BUNNIES REPRESENT!! I am attributing this pic to Miss Ginger Grant - since it appears on her blog (see her protest post HERE). From left, we have Timmy, Boy Ginger, MOF, and AlnHouston. These are four SEXY BITCHES with their bunny ears and their fierce sign!Houston - you officially have the Number One Dust Bunny Chapter in the nation. Congratulations.
And thanks to everyone for getting out there and letting your voices be heard. Dan titled his blog post Our Time Is Now - and he is right - our time IS now.
XOXOXO
