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An amazing 24 hours: Round-up of NOM tour and marriage equality news

July 27, 2010

NOM Tour Tracker Right-wing

By Adam Bink

Over at my home blog, OpenLeft.com, I often do a round-up of LGBT-related news and actions that are worth noting. I thought I’d bring the same feature here for some noteworthy items you may have missed:

  • On
    • We didn’t get many other videos up yesterday of rally coverage in Indianapolis, so here’s one for folks to check out. As usual massive turnout #FAIL, and you can see that by how NOM always asks supporters to come closer so it looks like they have an actual crowd.

    • HRC and Fred Sainz are spot on in their release regarding NOM today:

    “The bus tour is a total sham, plain and simple,” said Fred Sainz, HRC’s vice president of communications. “NOM’s highly-touted bus tour is less about so-called ‘traditional marriage’ and more about creating an elaborate and cynical stunt. NOM rolled out a summer of nationwide events in order to draw lawful protesters, all so that NOM and its allies can pepper ongoing lawsuits challenging public disclosure laws with made-up stories of harassment. This unprecedented victimization crusade is the lowest denominator of political activism, and it won’t fly.”

    You can read the full release here.

    We’ll be reporting from St. Paul tomorrow. See you then.

    Meanwhile, if you have any links, videos or photos to share with the community in the comments, post away!

    Twitt

    Tags:

174 Comments Leave a Comment

  • 1. Ķĭŗîļĺę&  |  July 27, 2010 at 10:02 am

    Submarinelling

  • 2. Alan E.  |  July 27, 2010 at 10:04 am

    Renewing my subscription. Save 77% off retail price!

  • 3. Ann S.  |  July 27, 2010 at 10:10 am

    Wouldn't wanna be left out.

    And good afternoon, Louis.

  • 4. Kathleen  |  July 27, 2010 at 10:12 am

    Too rich! This from the WisPolictics article, "State Sen. Glenn Grothman, R-West Bend, scolded the protesters … for being disrespectful [of] the NOM speakers. He said conservative activists don’t engage in the same behavior. "

    Riiiiight, conservative activists just assault people who are offering to shake hands with them and threaten to have people arrested for documenting their public appearances. I guess that isn't considered disrespectful.

  • 5. Kathleen  |  July 27, 2010 at 10:13 am

    Drat. Forgot to subscribe.

  • 6. Josh  |  July 27, 2010 at 10:16 am

    If the report that this FAIL tour is to get film/evidence of violence toward anti-equality people for court cases, hopefully they won't get anything that is not at least equally countered by the all the peaceful protest.

    Based on what I've seen so far, there has been far more peaceful disagreement than anything remotely approaching violence.

    If NOM can spin yelling at bb and the breast-feeding-mom into something a court would use to block names of initiative donors, they have pure magic on their side. Which, btw, is a sign of the devil, hmmmm…..

  • 7. l8r_g8r  |  July 27, 2010 at 10:17 am

    Interesting and subscribing.

  • 8. Lesbians Love Boies  |  July 27, 2010 at 10:20 am

    scribing

  • 9. Lesbians Love Boies  |  July 27, 2010 at 10:25 am

    Alice – you ROCK! Thank you for taking it in the stomach for all of us – and remaining peaceful.

  • 10. JonT  |  July 27, 2010 at 10:43 am

    (Εγγραφή)

  • 11. Dave in CA  |  July 27, 2010 at 10:43 am

    No, we just carry signs with Bible verses on them and pictures of nooses, since we aren't allowed to use real nooses anymore.

  • 12. Ray in MA  |  July 27, 2010 at 10:57 am

    It's amazing to see our NOM Tour Tracker becoming THE central media point in this public display of a civil rights movement.

    We might get even more notice if we changed the name to "NOM Nut Cracker"!

  • 13. Ronnie  |  July 27, 2010 at 10:58 am

    Oh…poor Louis…I feel bad for him..just a little, like:

    .

    that little (see that dot?)….It's like a Greek Tragedy or maybe its just a really sad attempt at getting his own reality show?…Sorry Louis, the American people would rather see Kate struggle w/8, The Situation live it up at the Jersey Shore, & entertaining singles get their hearts broken while fighting for a rose….<3…Ronnie

  • 14. JonT  |  July 27, 2010 at 11:09 am

    Odd that he used the term 'conservative activists'. Are such beasts? Well, other than the Phelps clan?

    And what does being a 'conservative' have to do with anything? I'm sure there are people who participate here who would call themselves conservative, aren't there?

  • 15. JonT  |  July 27, 2010 at 11:16 am

    And on another note, Doesn't Louis (Hi, Louis!) Marinelli hurt his blog by making it harder to read/participate in?

    Or is he turning into a nomo strategy center, available only to the True Christians (TM).

    How would one get invited to join? Post some hate filled screed somewhere? Maybe make a sign showing 2 nooses as the 'Final Solution' to the Gay Menace (TM)? I'll bet Larry Adams got an invite.

    The fact that they have to keep 'hiding' themselves, blocking commenting on their blogs – it says much about them.

    Just like the Klan, and other haters throughout history, they have to start going underground to spread their hate, since the "American People (TM)" are no longer buying their particular brand of bigotry.

  • 16. Alan E.  |  July 27, 2010 at 11:19 am

    There is one very important word that you used Ray: "our.". This is indeed our site. The Courage Campaign has done a fantastic job at getting this together, but it wouldn't be anything without every one of us, gathering here to share our stories, shootin' the shit, debating each other, supporting each other, becoming important figures in each others' lives, and so on. One of the big questions during the liveblogging of the Prop 8 trial was what would happen to the site after the trial. Well, kudos Rick! This site has done so much to bolster our community and allies.

    The NOM Tour Tracker has become hat next step. As the HRC points out, NOM's tour was not to spread a message, but to get inflammatory footage of counter-protestors. Through this watchdog service of the tracker, we can see through their ploy and consult each other to make sure we don't give them what they want. Their ultimate goal is to show that there is a threat from the LGBT community in order to overturn the Supreme Court decision to reveal the signatures and funding sources.

    At he same time, we have this amazing opportunity to gather proudly outside of the standard Pride events and away from the larger cities. We can show that we have support in every community, even those written off as conservative (certainly Madison aside). I wish I had the money and time to be able to attend each rally, as I'm sure many people here are. But in lieu of our attendance, we can support others who are able. We give them a larger voice. And for that, I say thank you NOM. Thank you for the vinegar you are trying to pour on our wounds, for we have used it as a finishing touch on our community salad (and a mighty good one at that). Thank you Brian. Thank you Maggie. Thank you Louis. Without people like you, we cannot show the true vitriolic hatred that we face every day. In your interviews, you can deny saying hateful things, but your supporters speak much more loudly. However, you never seem to separate yourself from these types of messages, but reenforce them. Until you can show that you are truly separate, then I might start to believe your messages. Besides, hate is not a marriage value.

  • 17. Anonygrl  |  July 27, 2010 at 11:20 am

    Just cause it entertained the heck out of me to write this, I am reposting it…

    Scene 1: Last night on the NOM bus.

    Maggie: Louis! You TOLD them we are not going to be in South Bend?? We were hoping that this would throw them for a loop when they arrived and found we were not there!

    Louis: Well, they read my blog, what can I do?

    Maggie: AND you told them that Brian was rejoining us? We were counting on them playing that “Where is Brian?” card again and looking like idiots!!

    Louis: Errr…

    Maggie: Did you not understand that when we said we needed to distance ourselves from you, because your blog was coming across as too conservative, and discriminatory, and don’t even get me started about what those Courange Campaigners have said about the whole “that obviously isn’t their baby” thing… that we meant you were to STOP TRYING TO HELP US?

    Louis: But I was only writing the truth.

    Maggie: I know that and YOU know that, but it doesn’t help our cause much if THEY know that.

    Louis: I posted a disclaimer! I said I was a third party who was a co-sponsor of the tour!

    Maggie: Remember the NOT HELPING thing? That falls under it.

    Louis: Fine, so what, you want me to restrict my blog so they can’t read it?

    Maggie: Yes!

    Louis: OK, I will set it so that only invited readers can get in. (he does so)

    Maggie: (looking over his shoulder at the screen) So, who does that leave who is reading your blog?

    Louis: (checks, then sullenly) No one.

    Fade to black

  • 18. Lesbians Love Boies  |  July 27, 2010 at 11:23 am

    I love the end of the last video where they are all in front of the NOM bus chanting "Move that Bus.."

  • 19. sam  |  July 27, 2010 at 11:24 am

    I think that the website mentioned above, equalityweb.com, should be equallywed.com.

    I hate that this is my first comment and it's to point out an error, but I've appreciated this blog since the prop 8 trial.

    And to end on a more positive note, Thank You! to everyone involved here from those who live blogged the prop 8 trial to the people following the bus of animus. Also thanks to the commenting community that keeps me coming back.

  • 20. Anonygrl  |  July 27, 2010 at 11:24 am

    Very well put!! Thank you!

  • 21. Kathleen  |  July 27, 2010 at 11:24 am

    Great to hear from you, Sam. Hope you'll join in the party!

  • 22. JonT  |  July 27, 2010 at 11:27 am

    Wow Anonygirl, that actually makes some sense! :)

  • 23. Ray in MA  |  July 27, 2010 at 11:34 am

    I second your "Well put!"

  • 24. Dave in Maine  |  July 27, 2010 at 11:36 am

    Good idea!!!

    Dave

  • 25. JonT  |  July 27, 2010 at 11:39 am

    Thirded!

    Motion carried.
    :)

  • 26. Ray in MA  |  July 27, 2010 at 11:40 am

    Glad you pointed that out… woulda missed that!

    Added laughter after my tears of joy!

  • 27. Lesbians Love Boies  |  July 27, 2010 at 11:52 am

    WOW!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSuW0Vph1-Y

  • 28. Bolt  |  July 27, 2010 at 12:04 pm

    On the second video, with the girl who was punched in the stomach: her shrug of the shoulders is typical of our contemporary gay attitude. She tolerated a punch in the stomach because she's gay. Nobody else would tolerate this, and neither should we. This cognitive reality is so lame!

    We'll get some vindication, in California, when V. Walker destroys prop 8, but our other equality advocates will continue to live in this paleolithic reality.

    We must sue for marriage equality on a federal level in every state!

  • 29. Dave in Maine  |  July 27, 2010 at 12:04 pm

    This coverage is great and seeing our turnout increase like this is fantastic! But-

    While this is being covered in all the gay media and blogs and even the NOM blog and similar places, what about the mainstream media? It's covered in the local news when the rally happens in each town, but what the big newspapers? The networks?

    Going to the "same-sex marriage" page on New York Times shows nothing about this tour. (They have reposted blog headlines about it, but that's not the NYTimes.) A search on the LATimes website brings up nothing. A search on MSNBC brings up only one article (of three total found) from the St. Cloud affiliate (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38419976). Nothing on CBS or ABC.

    I mention the NOM tour to friends, gay and straight alike, and they ask "What's NOM?"

    Is this just preaching to the choirs?

    Dave in Maine

  • 30. Sagesse  |  July 27, 2010 at 12:05 pm

    Asking to be invited. Oh wait. That's some other site :)

  • 31. Bob  |  July 27, 2010 at 12:10 pm

    yes Dave, same here, what can we do to make this main stream news?

    America's Culture Wars 2010

  • 32. JonT  |  July 27, 2010 at 12:22 pm

    What a great video LLB!

    At the 7:20 mark, I think that was Louis (Hi Louis!), the portly fellow in the white shirt, to the left taking pictures?

    Also, damn it, I saw another Gay Attack Dog (TM) at about the 8:27 mark. Tsk tsk tsk.
    :)

    The more of these videos I see, the more I wish they'd come to Denver.

  • 33. Ray in MA  |  July 27, 2010 at 12:30 pm

    Dave, it's been the same since the start of the P8 Trial…we feel like this is the center of the universe, it's only the center of our universe.

    The big media follows what the majority of Americans are interested in… and it's not us. They're going for $ and ratings.

    Many/Most Americans still go for days and days without any any thoughts of LGBT issues… which goes to show you that our equal rights will have little or no impact on THEM, but a huge impact on OUR daily lives.

    Here we are confronting a very small subset of people who have an itch up their butt and nothing better to do. And a smaller subset of people who found a way to make money off of our plight.

    This should not stop us from trying to be heard… we ARE slowly being heard by more and more people every day. It's a slow process and worth (at least that) in order to achieve our goals.

  • 34. Ray in MA  |  July 27, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    As Peter, Paul and Mary sang:

    "How many ears must one man have, before he can hear people cry?"

  • 35. Eden James  |  July 27, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    Error fixed. Thanks Sam!

  • 36. Richard A. Walter (s  |  July 27, 2010 at 12:35 pm

    More tomorrow. You have been quite the busy one today, haven't you, Adam?

  • 37. Dpeck  |  July 27, 2010 at 12:40 pm

    That's because 'conservative' used to mean being in favor of small govornment, or at least small federal govornment relative to state and local govornment. Then it morphed into meaning someone who has less tolerant social views (or 'social conservative' which doesn't even make sense if you think about it). And finally it has devolved into the complete opposite of what it originally meant, with some bigotry thrown in for the heck of it – it now means being in favor of using MORE govornment to control and limit the freedoms of individuals, but ony when those individuals dont' agree with your less tolerant social views. See what they did? They hijacked a phrase and reversed it's meaning. They do that a lot. Notice NOM's recent co-opting of the pro-equality slogan 'hate is not a family value'. It all gets pretty obvious and predictable and it's fooling fewer and fewer people..

  • 38. Dave in CA  |  July 27, 2010 at 12:42 pm

    I dunno, that Larry Adams interview and his signs seem newsworthy to me. Even if only in passing on Rachel Maddow or Countdown.

    Question: What evidence is there that NOM's views and supporters are motivated by animus?

    Exhibit A: Larry Adams.

  • 39. JonT  |  July 27, 2010 at 12:45 pm

    As usual Dpeck – spot on!
    :)

  • 40. Anne  |  July 27, 2010 at 12:46 pm

    See you guys here in Saint Paul tomorrow! Reading this blog makes me feel less alone and NOM coming to my home town and spewing their agenda isn't going to be tolerated. It's interesting to have a part in this now–it really is beginning to affect everyone.

  • 41. Anonygrl  |  July 27, 2010 at 12:47 pm

    I am absolutely ROLLING on the floor laughing right now. That open letter that I posted to Brian about love? I sent it to the NOM blog in response to their post about the event in Wisconsin today. Of course they did not post it, but they did manage to find someone to post THIS:

    FROM: Your A Pathetic Group Of Humans
    Posted July 27, 2010 at 9:40 pm

    You are the people that are going to hell and the reason terrorists hate us.

    or perhaps someone from there posted it, to make us look bad (and to prove that they don't edit out OUR comments, probably… well, except for the ones that might actually prove them wrong, that is). How desperate they have become, that now they need to tie US to terrorist remarks to try and make themselves look like the hurt party in all of this.

    Anyone want to bet that somewhere soon "we" (and of course by "we" I mean "they, but wearing disguises made out of cellophane trying to pretend they are us") are going to post bomb threats against them(selves)? Does their congregation actually BUY this stuff?

  • 42. Lesbians Love Boies  |  July 27, 2010 at 12:55 pm

    They can't post a letter that shows your tolerance and love for them. That would be sacrilegious and goes against their simple-trying-to-incite-proof we are hateful and want to hurt/intimidate/threaten their money contributors.

  • 43. Lesbians Love Boies  |  July 27, 2010 at 12:59 pm

    Is Louis and Brian related?

    If you look at the bottom picture of Brian Brown in the link from this trackback http://amiworking.wordpress.com/2010/07/27/noms-b… … and have seen the pictures of Louis

    …they look alike.

  • 44. JonT  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:02 pm

    Shocking, absolutely shocking. (eye-roll).

    It really does go to their animus that they could not post your message, but they could certainly post that electronic diarrhea from 'Your A Pathetic Group Of Humans'.

    I'm guessing that an invitation to Louis' (Hi Louis!) blog is on it's way to Mr. 'Your A Pathetic Group Of Humans' right now!

    I won't even comment on the religious/ethnic bigotry his actual message implies. It speaks for itself.

    Do they really think that helps them? Heh, I hope so, and I hope they keep on shooting themselves in the foot like this :)

  • 45. Ray in MA  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:05 pm

    Well, they look like they could at least be sisters!

  • 46. Dpeck  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:09 pm

    Oh my…. This just gave me an idea… "Summer for Marriage – The Movie"! A dark comedy that chronicles the disasterous downward spiral of the NOM tour, sort of a cross between 'This is Spinal Tap' and 'War of the Roses'. Brian Brown would be played by Philip Seymour Hofman. Who do think should play Maggie? What about Louis?

  • 47. Kathleen  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:11 pm

    From the NOM blog:
    "The Providence outrages may cut down on the number that physically show up for marriage" So, they've finally made it official that this is one of the reasons people aren't showing up.

    Publicly stated reactions to the low turnout, so far:
    1. Albany is a ghost town on weekends.
    2. We’re not going to get into numbers.
    3. Our people have jobs.
    4. Too hot to show up + lots more people you can’t see in this video because they’re over there in the shade
    5. Police (protecting us) accidentally keeping our supporters out of plaza.
    6. "The Providence outrages" make people less likely to show up.

    Keep 'em comin' Brian and Maggie.

  • 48. Lesbians Love Boies  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:11 pm

    Maggie's stretching her imagination again through a computer keyboard – thinking she is on the right side of some moral high ground. NOT

    Maggie: On the Road to Madison for Marriage

    Pulled Quote: The protestors I can see are mostly young, and caught up in the drama in their mind. If they are to be the moral heroes, who is the villain? In their own heads, these young folks are joining a great civil rights drama. They missed the original civil rights movement, they missed the sixties, the sexual revolution even is just old hat, something their mamas did. This is their moment, here on the streets of Indianapolis, or Columbus, or Lima, or Madison, this is their Selma.

    Only instead of a pack of cops with dogs and hoses determined to strip them of their rights, backed up by an angry potential lynch mob, there’s just me, a plump middle-aged woman, speaking for millions of Americans who believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman. “Marriage deserves its unique status because these are the only unions that can make new life and connect those children in love to their own mother and father,” I tell them.

    “We love you Maggie! We forgive you Maggie! Jesus forgives you Maggie!” the kid with the bullhorn shouted, trying to drown out our own speakers. They were an ambivalent group, trying briefly to rise to the higher angels of their natures, like Martin Luther King, but then so few of us are Rev. Dr. Martin Luther Kings. “Maggie sucks! Maggie sucks!” they chanted. End Quote

    Read Full Article Blog Entry http://nomblog.com/1296/

  • 49. Kathleen  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:14 pm

    And this from NOM Blog: "For the first time, we brought our own videographer along, making us far less dependent on the mainstream media to get our message out to our folks."

    Translation: Since MSM isn't interested in our dog and pony show, we're going to have to pay to create our own "news" feed. Count on it to be "fair and balanced" (you know, like that other 'real' news channel).

  • 50. Alan E.  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:22 pm

    That shows that since they allow comments like these and not more rationally inclined posts. They go through each one, and that alone tells you that they are not motivated by love but by hate for gay people.

  • 51. Anonygrl  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:32 pm

    I haven't seen this much blatant FEAR in years. What do they think is going to happen if they actually let us talk? Are they afraid that their constituency, once they hear what we have to say, is going to turn and lynch THEM instead of us?

    Wow!

    Maggie, Brian… we just want you to stop trying to violate our civil rights. We don't want to hurt you, we don't want you to lose your job even… go ahead and promote marriage as a good thing! Get more heterosexual couples involved in the idea that marriage is cool! I will HELP you with that! Just stop trying to say that we are not worthy of equal rights is all.

    Imagine… if all the effort you are putting into trying to oppress us was put instead into an "Isn't marriage wonderful? Consider it, rather than just living together, and make this world a better place for kids!" campaign, how much GOOD you could do? And then you would not have to be this fearful of us, when in fact, we are NOT out to get you, just to get you to stop being out to get US!

  • 52. AndrewPDX  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:32 pm

    @Ray…
    Sorry… must be the musical-loving stereotype peeping through, but I just can't resist (from White Christmas, for those who don't recognize it):

    Sisters
    Sisters
    There were never such devoted sisters

    Never had to have a chaperone "No, sir"
    I'm there to keep my eye on her

    Caring
    Sharing
    Every little thing that we are wearing

    When a certain gentleman arrived from Rome
    She wore the dress and I stayed home

    All kinds of weather
    We stick together
    The same in the rain or sun
    Two diff'rent faces
    But in tight places
    We think and we act as one

    Those who've
    Seen us
    Know that not a thing could come between us

    Many men have tried to split us up but no one can
    Lord help the mister
    Who comes between me and my sister
    And Lord help the sister
    Who comes between me and my man

  • 53. Richard A. Walter (s  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:33 pm

    Maggie, plump? NOt! My sister Eloise is plump. She wears a size 16, and part of that is due to her height (she is about 5'10") and her shoulder width (almost linebacker). Maggie looks like she wears at least a 26W. She is actually morbidly obese to put it into medical terms.

  • 54. Richard A. Walter (s  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:35 pm

    Stnading O!!!

  • 55. Lesbians Love Boies  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:36 pm

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYZbgG4D2oA

  • 56. Richard A. Walter (s  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:37 pm

    OOPS!!! That should read "Standing O!!!"

    This is what I get for trying to enter comments at 2336 hours EDT after being up since 0600 and driving to Raleigh and back on a combined medical/work trip.

  • 57. Lesbians Love Boies  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:38 pm

    And this one…(of course they still can't get their facts 'straight')

    Similarly, pro-gay marriage folks spend $35,000 to hire a camera to follow us around, as if we were some big-time political campaign. Kind of flattering, really, if a little silly.
    http://nomblog.com/1296/

  • 58. Anonygrl  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:39 pm

    I think Brian Brown should play Maggie. And perhaps Glenn Beck as Louis.

  • 59. Richard A. Walter (s  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:42 pm

    The unforgettable Rosemary Clooney and Veronica Lake! And it is obvious that good looks run in the Clooney clan. After all, just look at Rosemary's nephew, George!

  • 60. Dave in CA  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:44 pm

    What does it matter if it's true or not… as long as their followers believe it? See… we have the Big Gay Hollywood Professional Videographer Elite while all they have is plump solitary Maggie.

  • 61. Chris  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:46 pm

    Yes, and we've all seen how those millions of Americans have been just coming out of the woodwork, thronging the streets in support of traditional marriage, haven't we?

    “Marriage deserves its unique status because these are the only unions that can make new life and connect those children in love to their own mother and father.”

    Oh, definitely. It's scientifically proven that love is invariably a direct result of biological conception. Adoptive children and children in same-sex families never love their parents as much as those children being raised by their biological parents.

    As I said before: when you hear an anti-marriager use the word "love", think of Kim Jong Il calling his little dictatorship a "democracy". In both cases, they are fully aware that they have about as much business using that phrase as they have moral credibility. So they use it as much as they can.

    The wicked witch doth protest too much, methinks.

  • 62. Richard A. Walter (s  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:46 pm

    And the fact that they look so much alike that they could pass for twins is just too scary for words–especially since they are both so radically filled with hatred and are the new "Queens of Denial." (hint for Pam Tillis fans.)

  • 63. Cat  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:47 pm

    I don't think their videographer will be able to make a decent movie about the NOM tour. But we can make a great movie about the failure of the NOM tour. Much like 'Lost in La Mancha', which was probably funnier than Terry Gilliam's movie 'The Man Who Killed Don Quixote' it was documenting. The Sun will scorch the nomes (the protesters will be just fine under their rainbow umbrellas), the rain will erase the hateful signs (we use waterproof markers and said umbrellas), the thunder of the loud opposition will frazzle the sound recordings, and both Brian and Maggie will get a sore throat and cannot speak because of doctor's orders. The investors behind the NOM tour will pull the plug, in an attempt to reduce the damage before it's too late. Alas, equality has arrived in both in the courts and the ballot box. Equality for all proves inevitable.

  • 64. Dpeck  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:49 pm

    Off topic, and my apologies if this seems like prying, but has anyone heard form our friends Kirille and Felyx? I was really looking forward to reading their comments about these recent events but I don't see them here.

  • 65. Lesbians Love Boies  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:52 pm

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-GP4Ektnaw

  • 66. Chris  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:53 pm

    Stop saying that! Stop saying that!! Stop sounding so reasonable! Um….uh…."Homosexual Rioters Attack Toddlers!" "Breastfeeding Mother Terrorized By Pedophile Vikings!" "Honest Plump Lady Stands Up For Tradition While Juvenile Delinquents Scream Obscenities!" "Gay Agenda Plots To Abolish Childbirth!"

    Babies! America! Hallelujah and apple pie!!

  • 67. AndrewPDX  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:53 pm

    LOL, thanks LLB :)

    Love,
    Andrew

  • 68. Sagesse  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:53 pm

    @Richard

    Your extreme youth is showing… it's Vera Ellen, not Veronica Lake.

  • 69. Dave in CA  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:54 pm

    What's funny about this is that by describing herself as the object of this lost generation's anger, unconsciously and unintentionally, she just placed herself in the exact same role as the previous generation's oppressor; or in her own words, she is now "the pack of cops with dogs and hoses determined to strip them of their rights."

  • 70. Ronnie  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:55 pm

    Wow she really is just an unmitigated, narcissistic, arrogant, anti-American, uneducated, Fascist schlock Pig…

    There's video of all of it, Maggie G., w/people of ALL races, ages, genders, faiths, ALL types of families, and orientations fighting for equality where as your little insignificant minuscule groups quite often look white washed.

    Maggie G., when people look at our images, they see America. Diversity. No discrimination. People of all walks of life working together to stop things (because you anti-gays are not worthy of the title human) like you from turning our country into a Fascist, repugnant, Theocratic, waste of space dictatorship where people are afraid to live their lives openly and freely because the Maggie Gallagher's of the world are under the impression that they have a right to control other peoples beliefs, speech, expression and personal relationships based on their self righteous, holier-then-thou, selfish, immoral superiority.

    You, Maggie G are ambivalent to your own relevance to humanity and the world. In fact you're not relevant at all. Because when this is all said and done and Equality is 100% your name will go down in History along side Adolph Hitler, those who hanged women in Salem, those who took part in stealing this land from the Native Americans, those who owned slaves, those who burned crosses and hanged innocent people of color, those who opposed integration, those sexist men who opposed women's rights & along side things like my Grandmother who condemned my Mother for being in an Interracial couple even on her death bed (I am 26yo & that was just a few years before I was born)

    You are apart of a Civil Rights Movement Maggie Gallagher, but unfortunately for you, you're on the side that always loses. But if you were actually capable of comprehending American & World History you would already know that.

    We will have full equality, Maggie G., whether you like it or not. You're only option is to learn it, live it, love it. Get on with your insignificant life and try to enjoy your family instead of destroying ours.

    I am somebody, and I deserve full equality. Right here! Right Now! I am a beautiful and strong person and nobody can change that.

    WHAT DO WE WANT?!…EQUALITY!…WHEN DO WE WANT IT?!…NOW!

    <3…Ronnie

  • 71. Chris  |  July 27, 2010 at 1:59 pm

    There it is again – that paradoxical rhetoric that leaves me wondering how many Tyler Durdens these anti-marriagers have wandering around in their heads.

    "We stand for millions of Americans…Moral Majority…Will of the People…."

    And then somehow it turns into poor little Maggie against the maddened hordes, boldly blazing the way for those persecuted Christians who just want to be able to believe in the Lord without being targeted by the liberal mafia.

    It's a wonder to me this lady hasn't been institutionalized by her family.

  • 72. Lesbians Love Boies  |  July 27, 2010 at 2:15 pm

    Not sure this has been posted yet…but worth posting again.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUyI2FjiaP4

  • 73. Anonygrl  |  July 27, 2010 at 2:51 pm

    JonT,

    I don't think "Your A Pathetic…" was aiming at US. I think it was someone (of NOM) trying to impersonate US being rude to THEM. Which, I suppose, does go to animus in a way, but also goes to "desperate" and "running scared".

    Since NOM is looking to be attacked, and we are not helping them out, they seem to have fallen to the point of trying to set us up in order to keep their contributors riled up!

    "Look at those heathen homosexuals! Telling us good Americans that they side with TERRORISTS! My goodness Edna, we had better contribute to NOM now, or we are DOOMED!"

  • 74. Anonygrl  |  July 27, 2010 at 2:54 pm

    The funnier part of the "Sisters" routine is a few minutes later Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby dress up in bits of their costumes and take the fans and do the number themselves.

  • 75. Anonygrl  |  July 27, 2010 at 2:58 pm

    Remember, we are talking NOM math here… where it has been proven that 23 is more than 2 times 19, 29 equals 40 to 50 and 700,000 is over 2 million.

  • 76. jdurham  |  July 27, 2010 at 3:48 pm

    I've never really been active up until this point, and my on version of activism was this post i made to Facebook to all my friends and family:

    This is what Facebook is made for. Expressing each and every one of our views on the net. There is a "gathering storm" and that storm is a large amount of people who are sided with bigotry and hatred. I've never posted something like this before, but I can't stand aside anymore and let bigotry and religious contempt run rampant anymore. I don't expect all my friends to agree with the Civil Rights Movement that is going on right now, but if you do, please, please get active within the government. Especially the local Texas government, and help to make sure that these people, these people who will take God's name in vain for their own vain purpose, these people who will follow Leviticus only to their own purposes, and make sure their number dwindle at every single hateful rally that they have in the Eastern United States. Contrary to their spin on things, there have been consistently more equality supporters present than anti-equality supporters, and that just shows that America is ready to join the rest of the world in providing rights to same-sex marriage couples. Hell, if South America, Eastern Europe, and Western Europe can do it, why can't we? Lastly, vote people. Vote for tolerance. Vote for your loved ones, and vote for equality.

    I don't know any of you, but I'm here with you. My only wish would be that the NOM tour dared, DARED, to come to Austin.

  • 77. Straight Dave  |  July 27, 2010 at 3:53 pm

    Gaaaaaaakkkkk!!!!!! stuck in my head now. Thanks LLB. Loved it. Onto the iPod it goes. I won't forget the visual imagery. Homophobia is indeed sooooooo Gay.
    I can now imagine a day when a majority of pissed-off straight folks stand up and say "No More! We're not going along with that crap". Eventually their consciences will get a grip.

    I actually think the NOM TourTracker is helping by exposing the true feelings lurking behind the nice-sounding weasel words. Once decent people see guys like Larry Adams, they'll understand what it's all about and won't want to be associated with it any more. They are just being faked out now, but that will change. There is so much positive stuff going on, I believe the momentum will shift quickly. All we need is one major victory to start the "long downward slide" – DOMA, Prop 8, DADT, the TX divorce cases (I personally think this is the real sleeper case – it could kill the part of DOMA that ignores out-of-state marriages). Texas, of all places!! HaHa! If their stupid AG hadn't interfered, this would be a minor footnote. Now it might blow up in the Supreme Court. Well, after all, this is the state that gave us Lawrence.

    ….off soapbox. I'm in a real grumpy mood. Need to stop watching Brian Brown videos. Ruins my whole day.

  • 78. Lesbians Love Boies  |  July 27, 2010 at 3:53 pm

    Right ON! Big Standing O.

    They won't come to texas because they have that state locked up – for the time being.

  • 79. Kathleen  |  July 27, 2010 at 3:58 pm

    Well said, jdurham. And glad you've joined us here!

  • 80. jdurham  |  July 27, 2010 at 4:07 pm

    Thank ya. The shitty thing is that I'm afraid of what messages I'm going to get in the morning. But still, I cannot and will not stand by anymore. The hate that is being spewed needs to be tempered by people that you know. Every person that respects you as a human being needs to know that you are fighting for your rights. Be it the internet, or Equality rallys, or even your own family.

  • 81. JonT  |  July 27, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    That's a Standing O from me too! :)

  • 82. JonT  |  July 27, 2010 at 4:12 pm

    I hadn't seen it before – thanks for posting it!

  • 83. Lesbians Love Boies  |  July 27, 2010 at 4:13 pm

    If only I were a political nutcase…

    EDITORIAL: Obama's assault on marriage
    Regulation bestows benefits on homosexual partnerships

    President Obama's effort to undermine marriage as the union of one man and one woman advanced as an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) regulation took effect earlier this month. Under the new rules, Uncle Sam will provide long-term care insurance to the "domestic partners" of all federal employees as if they were partners in true wedlock.

    Prior to July 1, only the actual relatives of bureaucrats – a spouse, adult child or parent – qualified for the long-term insurance coverage designed to pay the bills of nursing home care for the elderly and for stays in an assisted-living facility for the victim of a debilitating illness. Generally, the federal plan is meant for older enrollees with an average age of 56.

    Now the administration has extended coverage to any same-sex roommate willing to sign a "declaration of domestic partnership" form. No documentation is required beyond a signature to enjoy benefits that, according to the Government Accountability Office, are 46 percent cheaper than comparable plans offered in the private sector.

    Read Full Article Here: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jul/27/o…

  • 84. jdurham  |  July 27, 2010 at 4:22 pm

    Thank ya. I gotta say, the woman with the sign that said "Another Straight Christian In Support Of Gay Rights" (paraphrasing since I can't find the picture now) was the trigger. If this woman can be a supporter, anyone can. Because it means she loves her fellow (wo)man. She loves the fact that we're on this Earth. And that's it. She knows that we're not "abominations", but people. Just people.

  • 85. Kathleen  |  July 27, 2010 at 4:26 pm

    I think our straight allies send a particularly powerful message at these rallies.

  • 86. JonT  |  July 27, 2010 at 4:32 pm

    Oh… nice. Did you see the comments? All two of them as of this post? Especially the first one? I quote (spelling errors and all):

    bobolinks says:
    4 hours, 37 minutes ago

    Primus: Roundup every last stinking slimebag in the ACLU and hang them all together. Secundus: Impeach Obama, nail up Dodd and Bwaney Fwank to the supreme court doors and leave them there. Tertiary: Disband Acorn, Black Panthers and gay rights commissions. Deport all illegal aliens and repatriate enough tropps from Afghanistan and Iraq to really cover all borders with Mexico.

    Great representatives of the nomos and their klan. They should be receiving their invites to Loius' (Hi Loius!) blog soon. They're just the kind of upstanding haters NOM is looking for.

  • 87. jdurham  |  July 27, 2010 at 4:35 pm

    Not sure how to reply directly to you Kathleen, but I'm in total agreement. And the best thing is that equality supporters are tapping into gay-straight alliances in the towns that NOM is visiting, and bringing more people out. And I'll be damned if we aren't winning this fight. This is grassroots in action, and everyone on this site should feel proud of that.

  • 88. Lesbians Love Boies  |  July 27, 2010 at 4:36 pm

    Hi JDurham not Kathleen here…but under each post is a Reply button. That will get you to post to that person…to a point, they only go three deep for replies here…so it can get tricky. At that point, we just do the at sign @Kathleen to let everyone know who we are posting to.

    Love
    Barb

  • 89. Roger  |  July 27, 2010 at 4:37 pm

    I guess they're just one or two steps away from stabbing themselves en masse before running to the closest TV reporter and claiming that the real civil rights supporters stabbed them.

  • 90. jdurham  |  July 27, 2010 at 4:39 pm

    Welcome to the Texas Republican Platform. It's never going to go National, but I'll be god damned if it goes state wide.
    https://www.1888932-2946.ws/TexasGOP/E-ContentStr…

  • 91. jdurham  |  July 27, 2010 at 4:41 pm

    Thank ya much for the clarification!

  • 92. Straight Dave  |  July 27, 2010 at 4:44 pm

    Screw 'em, jdurham. Nobody can make you feel bad without your permission. (I don't remember who I stole that quote from, but I didn't invent it.) Laugh off those messages. Use them to build your own strength. You're better than them. Welcome aboard! I hope you find this to be a place full of friends and supporters. Yeah, we respect you just for showing up.

  • 93. JonT  |  July 27, 2010 at 4:46 pm

    @ jdurham: 'Welcome to the Texas Republican Platform.

    Yeah, I've seen it. Spooky stuff. One that's
    being emulated by other hard-right-wingers as well, unfortunately.

    But, I really do believe hate always loses in the end. I think history has proven that time and time again.

  • 94. Kathleen  |  July 27, 2010 at 4:46 pm

    JonT, great example of all those online supporters Maggie was bragging about.

  • 95. Kathleen  |  July 27, 2010 at 4:51 pm

    Ditto what Straight Dave said. :)

  • 96. Straight Dave  |  July 27, 2010 at 5:09 pm

    P-7: "We Demand that Congress exercise its authority granted by the U.S. Constitution to withhold jurisdiction from the federal courts from cases involving sodomy."

    OK, I can understand their usual conservative crap about bigotry being supported by God, but ….. seriously, people! What the hell constitution are they reading? When does Congress tell the courts what their job is?

    Still upset about Lawrence, are we?

  • 97. Kathleen  |  July 27, 2010 at 5:20 pm

    It's that made up Constitution they teach in tham thar Texas schools – you know that one created by our founding fathers who were heavily influenced by John Calvin (as opposed to people like Voltaire, Locke, etc.)

  • 98. Phil L  |  July 27, 2010 at 6:10 pm

    I know… if they came to Austin I would SOOOO be there. I'd make sure that my boyfriend (of ten years) would be there too.

    They wouldn't dare tread on our turf though, because they seem to be a bit terrified by some of the more liberal cities.

  • 99. jdurham  |  July 27, 2010 at 6:14 pm

    Thanks again, Dave and Kathleen, for showing the love and support for a 1st time poster. Having read all of the comments on this post, I feel loved in this place. Thanks again for making me feel welcome. I'll be happy to post the goings on in Texas now, as opposed to lurking with impotent rage at the policies being presented as the "greater good" for my state and my nation. God Bless each of you.

  • 100. jdurham  |  July 27, 2010 at 6:25 pm

    Oh! And before I head off to sleep, thanks LLB. You're an inspiration. :)

  • 101. NOM’s Brian Brown c&hellip  |  July 27, 2010 at 7:54 pm

    [...] by RJ From Prop8TrialTracker: Also, his frame “I believe we are part of the new civil rights movement” is laughable. Civil [...]

  • 102. Dave in Maine  |  July 27, 2010 at 9:18 pm

    This is a good article: http://www.newsweek.com/2010/01/08/the-conservati…

    Dave in Maine

  • 103. Fulton  |  July 27, 2010 at 9:48 pm

    I so wish I could join you in Saint Paul, my home town. And I thank you for being there for me.

  • 104. rf  |  July 27, 2010 at 9:50 pm

    Thats not something new for them. many of the early posters on this site commented on trying to send reasonable messages to the nomblog–back when the p8 trial started. Likely Fiona? was one of them? but really nasty posts were let through or possibly faked. it was a big topic here everytime the major trolls came through–as they are not censored here.

  • 105. Marlene  |  July 27, 2010 at 10:34 pm

    It's Big Brother ala the book 1984, Anonygrl! A world where left is right, right is left and a reduction in the chocolate ration is seen as an increase.

  • 106. Anonygrl  |  July 27, 2010 at 10:50 pm

    Dave, that would be Eleanor Roosevelt. "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

    Hang in the jdurham. WE love you for seeing things clearly, and in the end, the next generation and all that follow will too. And those folks that don't, they will be left behind, because the times, they are a'changing. For the better.

  • 107. Marlene  |  July 27, 2010 at 10:52 pm

    Jon — The comments are up to *6*! Here's my contribution:

    JFKdem — What kind of "traditional marriage are you accusing President Obama of destroying?

    The traditional marriage where you're betrothed to a woman you've never seen before simply because Daddy needs you to cement a merger to advance his business?

    The traditional marriage where you can force your wife to have as many kids as you want without helping her raise those kids at all?

    The kind of traditional marriage where you're banned from marrying someone of another race?

    The kind of traditional marriage where if you're female and marry someone from China you permanently lose your citizenship?

    Please tell me, oh wise sage, what kind of "traditional" marriage is threatened and *how* is it "threatened" when two people of the same gender fall in love and marry?

  • 108. reflect  |  July 27, 2010 at 10:53 pm

    I am extremely put off, immediately, by the sign "Homophobia is gay!," which shows up on the still for the video above. So is "gay" something bad? Crazy mixed message there.

    (I am so put off I refuse to click and add to the hit count for that video.)

    We need to put a permanent end to use of the word "gay" as a teenager's generic insult. It's an extremely harmful practice.

  • 109. Marlene  |  July 27, 2010 at 11:04 pm

    Here's another for your viewing pleasure…

    [youtube

    110. Marlene  |  July 27, 2010 at 11:07 pm

    Welcome to the Trial Tracker, J!!

    Here's a big ol' virtual hug from a 50-year-old transsexual lesbian who's unafraid of the bigots and the haters, 'cause their words have no power over me, especially when they try to use religion as a tactic.

    Hang in there, my young friend! All the crap we of the older generation had to deal with we don't want you to experience!

    To see GSAs in high schools, queer proms, kids in elementary school transitioning with supportive parents and much more makes this ol' dyke tear up, knowing we made it a better world for you!

  • 111. PamC  |  July 27, 2010 at 11:32 pm

    Excellent post! I have loved this site ever since I started following the trial. This community has become part of my life, and I'm grateful for all of you.

  • 112. Dave in Maine  |  July 27, 2010 at 11:40 pm

    Yes, it is a double standard.

    We are not supposed to use it to mean "stupid," yet here it is being used like that for our side.

    Some people want it to mean, when used like that, to mean "fabulous," but that is definitely not being used in that context.

    If people are not supposed to say it and mean "stupid," that goes for us, too.

    Dave in Maine

  • 113. PamC  |  July 27, 2010 at 11:42 pm

    Contrary to what Brian said about the police keeping nom supporters out, I just saw at least 3 people scootch under the police tape unchallenged.

  • 114. PamC  |  July 28, 2010 at 12:01 am

    subscribing…

  • 115. John H  |  July 28, 2010 at 12:27 am

    The anti-gay crowd doesn't even respect gay people as humans with any kind of human concerns. It's the ultimate hatred, regardless of careful attempts to avoid 'naughty' individual words or gestures. They think of and treat people like some faceless disease that exists only to annoy them, and then explode in hypocrisy when anyone complains or defends themselves. Their insane assertion that careful semantics and an occasional smile makes any kind of dehumanizing filth respectable just makes the situation that much more aggravating and damaging.

    PS: Any other touring supremacist group probably couldn't hope for this kind of relatively warm reception … and I assure you that the protesters would probably be just as justified in their 'hateful,' 'intolerant' disapproval.

  • 116. Richard A. Walter (s  |  July 28, 2010 at 12:34 am

    Welcome to the P8TT family, jdurham!

  • 117. Richard A. Walter (s  |  July 28, 2010 at 12:37 am

    I think they are working on something for the Rainbow Community that is taking a lot of their time. I will get in touch with them and ask them to check in and let everyone know they are okay.

  • 118. Anonygrl  |  July 28, 2010 at 12:48 am

    And even so… I don't hate them.

    I may dislike what they do, what they stand for, but I hope that this is just one piece of what might otherwise be a decent human being. They love their kids, they pay their taxes, they mow their lawns, they feed their cats… just as we do. And I agree they have a right to say what they want and believe what they want, as long as they don't legislate to oppress others in doing it, and don't lie and try to convince others that I am somehow trying to oppress them if they are not allowed to practice discrimination against us.

    Sadly, I don't often find that to be the case. If the anti-gay folks were to say "we don't like homosexuality, but we recognize your right to marry and love and live in peace, but our church won't perform the ceremony" then turn around and go back to mowing their lawns, l could respect that. I could say, "I don't like your religion, but I recognize your right to preach your gospel and perform marriages that you agree with and live in peace too, and we'll go get married somewhere else" and I would accept that we will not agree on these issues, and get back to feeding my cat and maybe meet up with them for lemonade over the back fence later.

  • 119. The Reverend Canon S  |  July 28, 2010 at 1:10 am

    A little late to the party, but here's my blog from yesterday: "For the Bible Told Him So" …
    http://inchatatime.blogspot.com/2010/07/for-bible…

    … which ends with this challenge to my Christian colleagues:

    "If we sit silent while the Larry Adams of the world speak for Jesus then shame on us. Shame on us."

  • 120. Steve  |  July 28, 2010 at 1:16 am

    Isn't this the result of the Massachusetts case that declared part of DOMA to be unconstitutional? If yes, it's not like the administration had a choice. They should whine about "liberal activist judges" instead.

  • 121. Dpeck  |  July 28, 2010 at 1:23 am

    Ah good. I just didn't want those two guys to miss out on all the great videos and reports we've been getting from Indianapolis and Madison these past couple of days.

  • 122. Lesbians Love Boies  |  July 28, 2010 at 1:38 am

    And I thought the sign meant Homophobia is Gay (ie homophobic people are in general gay themselves.)

    Showing my age now!

  • 123. Alan E.  |  July 28, 2010 at 1:44 am

    For the point on semantics, take note of their blog where they will let the crazies post, but anything supporting gay people cannot be posted since every message goes through a moderator. This shows that they actually support and condone the words and actions of those that wish to do us harm. This is just one major part of the hypocrisy that is NOM.

  • 124. Lesbians Love Boies  |  July 28, 2010 at 1:46 am

    Anti-NOM Protest a Success in Numbers, But in Volume?

    As a fervent supporter of my own equal rights, I was one of the people in the front line voicing the neglected LGBT minority’s anger. We had just as much right to stand there and voice our opinion as they did in their group, which was closely monitored by police and surrounded by caution tape with their PA system. But upon further consideration, I wonder how much good my own shouts did for our struggle.

    My question is simple: would a looming silence have actually said more than our words? If we had let them speak unimpeded, wouldn’t their lack of logic have revealed itself and further painted them into the small corner that their overwhelmingly-debunked arguments have already done? Instead, I fear we gave them a platform to justify their hate by claiming it was ours. NOM supporters twisted our rightful anger to use it against us again and again.

    Read more here: http://www.dane101.com/current/2010/07/28/antinom…

  • 125. Alan E.  |  July 28, 2010 at 1:47 am

    Exactly. The fact that NOM was ok with him waving his signs around, but didn't want him to say anything inflammitory to the interviewer, or based on the comments they will or won't allow past the moderator (see my post above), goes to show that their priorities are not in line with what they speak.

  • 126. Richard A. Walter (s  |  July 28, 2010 at 1:49 am

    And here I thought "Homophobia is Gay" was in reference to all of the "homophobes" who have gotten themselves in trouble by getting caught and finding their closet shattering around them! (LIke George Rekers, Roy Ashburn, Mr. Craig, Ted Haggard, et al.)

  • 127. Lesbians Love Boies  |  July 28, 2010 at 1:54 am

    Interesting news…

    National Organization for Marriage trying to raise money in Iowa

    Just days before its planned rally at the state Capitol in opposition to same-sex marriage, the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) is robocalling Iowans soliciting donations.

    Peter Hussman of the Newton Independent (no affiliation with this site) reports that the money will be used to help oust lawmakers and judges who do not oppose same-sex marriages.

    The pre-recorded message states that NOM has received a challenge grant of up to $2 million and is working to raise matching funds.

    Read More: http://iowaindependent.com/40010/national-organiz…

  • 128. Lesbians Love Boies  |  July 28, 2010 at 2:01 am

    Another article about the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) conspiracy theory on NOMs bus tour trying to provoke us Marriage Equality supporters to intimidate NOM supporters at the bus tour get-togethers.

    It's a Conspiracy: HRC Calls NOM's Anti-Gay Bus Tour a "Sham"

    Read More: http://www.care2.com/causes/civil-rights/blog/hrc…

  • 129. Richard A. Walter (s  |  July 28, 2010 at 2:08 am

    I wonder who the "challenge grant" is from–President Momson, or Pope Benedict via Carl Anderson of the Knights of Columbus?

  • 130. Sarah  |  July 28, 2010 at 2:14 am

    @Dave in Maine: I have been getting Newsweek magazine for probably 10 years or so, and I am continually heartened that they have so many good articles in favor of marriage equality. They come from so many different authors, regular contributors and guests as well. Usually they are related to recent news, but sometimes they just pop them in there as special interest pieces. Either way, it is a wonderful boost to my psyche to see it show up so much in such a publication.

    Here is another: http://www.newsweek.com/2008/05/31/the-same-peopl…

  • 131. Sarah  |  July 28, 2010 at 2:25 am

    And here is my favorite line from this article:

    "Polls showing opposition to gay marriage were proffered to prove that the court had overstepped its bounds, ignoring the fact that the most sacred business of judges is not to ratify the will of the majority but to protect the minority from its tyranny."

    That stands true and is so often lost in all the talk of "activist judges" and "legislating from the bench".

  • 132. Joel  |  July 28, 2010 at 2:27 am

    I think maybe Harvey Fierstien in drag to play Maggie

  • 133. anonygrl  |  July 28, 2010 at 2:33 am

    Nope. When it comes to a protest of this sort, make a joyful noise!

    The only people listening to what is actually being said on either side are supporters of that side. So allowing NOM to speak to their faithful does nothing to show them in the wrong, since WE won't buy it anyway, and the few who are there to hear them have pre-ordered the take home version of the game. Also, at an event THEY organize, they are not going to invite us up for a rebuttal, and at one WE organize, they are not going to stand quietly by while we talk.

    What we DO gain by making noise, is three-fold. First, we get the wonderful release of shouting it all out, even if it is only in silly chants that make us giggle. Second, the press watching reports on noise. A silent mob protest gets one line in a news story (unless it is elegantly executed, like the Albany rainbow umbrellas), but lots of noise draws the cameras back again and again, so that our signs, and our smile and our joy and our frustration and our wonderful families and our colorful flags and our faces that look just like anybody else's face show up again and again. Additionally, if we are making a joyful, supportive, loving noise, we encourage others who may feel marginalized or threatened by NOM's message to stand up and make noise too.

    So drown them out. They do have the right to speak, certainly, but so do we. If they want to come to our events (and they do, in ever decreasing numbers, appear at Pride Parades in tight little groups of shouters that we laugh about as we march by, heads held high) and make noise at us, they are welcome! But in this sort of a public forum, sometimes the best way to be heard is to let love be so loud you drown out the hate.

  • 134. anonygrl  |  July 28, 2010 at 2:36 am

    Very true… and very indicative of how frightened they are. We WELCOME them here, let them come speak and we will post what they say EXACTLY as they say it. But that they do not offer us the same courtesy shows that they are terrified that we might just prove to be humans after all, and show their constituency that they are not entirely honest in their claims about us.

  • 135. anonygrl  |  July 28, 2010 at 2:40 am

    I don't think I would wish that role on Harvey. He is a lovely, kind, sweet man in person. On the other hand, he might just find it fun getting that much into character…

  • 136. Alan E.  |  July 28, 2010 at 2:48 am

    We welcome them short of demonizing, threatening, etc (think of George and his many façades).

  • 137. Richard A. Walter (s  |  July 28, 2010 at 2:49 am

    And Harvey would know the exact amount of snark to pour into it. And I have heard more than one actress say that you can always do a better portrayal of someone whose character is the exact opposite of you. One example is Suzanne Somers having made a mint out of playing the stereotype of the airhead blonde, yet who paid her way through college selling Avon, and she was a single mother. And since we have not heard about any of her children growing up with problems, and since she complete her degree with honors (business), I say that proves that Suzanne Somers is far from being an airhead. Or how about Marcie on Married with Children? "I'm not a straight woman, but I play one on TV" was her billboard for National Coming Out Day. And forgive me, but I cannot remember her real name to save my life right now.

  • 138. Dave in Maine  |  July 28, 2010 at 2:52 am

    Maybe the best strategy is to just let them yammer on to their 23 supporters and ignore them.

    Like I've been saying, we know what they stand for and they know what they stand for. They know we'll be there, so, just ignore them. OR, if they do attend, then just be silent. I think that this is why EqMe told us to not attend the NOM rally and give them ammunition back on the first day of this action-packed tour.

    Dave

  • 139. anonygrl  |  July 28, 2010 at 3:08 am

    Amanda Bearse. And yes, opposite characters are fun to play.

  • 140. Bob  |  July 28, 2010 at 3:11 am

    So Reverend Canon Susan Russell, what is it exactly that you are advocating, for your Church and others to have their congregations join in the march for equality,?

    It would be nice to see such a christian showing, in a counter protest, perhaps singing as they gather round NOM.

    We could really use more feet on the ground.

    But I am confused about wether or not, it is appropriate for a Church to protest in the public square,

    Aren' you just another preacher using her authority speaking from the pulpit, telling your congregation to become involved?

    I very much appreciate your input on this subject, because it's one that is often mentioned on this site, where are the true Christians? and what are they doing?

  • 141. Lesbians Love Boies  |  July 28, 2010 at 3:11 am

    OT

    Married Lesbian Couple To Appear In Prop 8 Lawsuit In Long Beach

    Robin Tyler and Diane Olson, plaintiffs in the lawsuit challenging Proposition 8, will appear in Long Beach Thursday night, July 29th and share their thoughts and experiences. Their attorney, Gloria Allred, filed a lawsuit on their behalf which was consolidated with the cases of others and became part of the movement for marriage equality that Tyler had worked toward for many years. On June 16, 2008, Tyler and Olsen received an official marriage license and were married in the presence of family, friends and media…

    More Here: http://www.lbpost.com/denise/10198

  • 142. anonygrl  |  July 28, 2010 at 3:14 am

    On the other hand, since we are mananging better turn outs, better press and more community support both locally and nationally, why not let NOM pay for the tour and we take advantage of the opportunity it gives us to rally our troops? Thanks NOM for getting our message out! And thank your contributors for us, will you please?

  • 143. Elsie  |  July 28, 2010 at 3:24 am

    Or John Templeton, of the Templeton Foundation who gave $1.1 million to the Prop. 8 campaign last year.

  • 144. Sagesse  |  July 28, 2010 at 3:27 am

    After sleeping on this. First of all, the confrontation in Providence made me uncomfortable; the demonstration yesterday was uplifting. One difference was that yesterday, no one invaded their space. It was simply a matter of our free speech was louder than their free speech, and that's easy to do when you have 466 voices.

    Both gatherings took place in the public square… not just in public, but on the grounds of the state capital.. a public space that surely belongs to everybody. If there's a protest, I can see enforcing physical separation. But if someone, anyone who disagrees with them, but is not part of the protest and is not being a disturbance, wants to cross the crime scene tape, how does NOM get to prevent them… Did we not send an RSVP, or what?

    If they want to preach to their choir undisturbed and uninterrupted, let them do it in a private space. A public gathering is a public gathering. Their whole notion that they have the right to control behaviour inside their 'permitted space', decide who can enter, who can tape, and expect the police to enforce their public 'privacy' is WRONG… isn't it?

  • 145. Randy  |  July 28, 2010 at 3:39 am

    You have a job? You must be a hetero NOM supporter! Quick he's infiltrated the comments (Hi Louis!)

  • 146. Sagesse  |  July 28, 2010 at 3:47 am

    Reading yesterday's screed fromMaggie, master of the non sequitur, from Madison:

    "Looking across the square in Colubmus [sic] to the counter-protestors, I saw a group of young people full of passionate zeal that flamed into fierce, hot anger at those who dare to disagree with them." and

    "[In Madison t]he protestors I can see are mostly young, and caught up in the drama in their mind."

    So, because the marriage equality supporters are young they can't possibly know what they're talking about? They tried to say that about us in the 60s and 70s (back when the earth was cooling, and we were young too), and look how well that worked out.

    This link has been posted before
    http://www.marriagetour2010.com/2010/07/maggie-on…

  • 147. Dave in CA  |  July 28, 2010 at 3:52 am

    Since they are now putting up police tape and holding their rallies "by invitation only" (LOL!) and yet in public spaces – here's what I would love to see:

    Protesters arrive dressed and behaving AS IF they are NOM supporters. Get inside the police tape. Mingle with the NOM supporters. Tell them that you are here, with them, to support marriage. Look like them, behave like them, seem in all ways to be just like them.

    Gradually move into place at the front of the crowd, near the podium. Then, after their presentation begins, on a predetermined cue, remove your outer shirts to reveal bold rainbow, marriage equality, t-shirts. Do it while one of their guest speakers has the podium, not during Maggie or Brian's blather.

    Pair off into same sex couples, hold hands, show your love and show them that we are here, we are already in your midst, we are your neighbors, we look and behave just like you, but we are NOT afraid to show who we are. Hand out one sheet flyers: "Equality means everybody" and "Did my marriage hurt yours?" and so on. Infiltrate and then reveal the truth from inside their midst.

  • 148. Richard A. Walter (s  |  July 28, 2010 at 4:08 am

    And another idea that can be used. Since NOM keeps bringing up Thomas Jefferson and the other founding fathers of this country, there is a picture on the FB page for Freedom Fighters 4 Equality of Thomas Jefferson with a quote of his from 1808 about the separation of church and state being absolutely essential to a free country. Print out copies of that and hand it out.

  • 149. elliom  |  July 28, 2010 at 4:13 am

    *Disclaimer: I am not a legal professional.*

    My guess is they're invoking Art. 3, sec. 2, which gives Congress the power to determine the jurisdiction and organization of the federal court system. (This is how Congress thought they could remove Habius rights from Gitmo detainees.)

    On a side note: This is my first post and I LOVE Y'ALL. Reading the P8TT and NOMTT are one of the highlights of my day. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!!

    PS: Hi Louis!

  • 150. The Reverend Canon S  |  July 28, 2010 at 4:31 am

    Great questions. Only time for short answers, but here goes:

    First of all a quote from my boss and Sr. Pastor here at All Saints Church in Pasadena:

    "Faith in action is called politics. Spirituality without action is fruitless and social action without spirituality is heartless. We are boldly political without being partisan. Having a partisan-free place to stand liberates the religious patriot to see clearly, speak courageously, and act daringly." — The Rev. J. Edwin Bacon

    Putting faith into action is core spiritual value here at All Saints Church. Has been since the rector in the 1940's stood on the railroad tracks in protest of the deportation of Japanese Americans. Since another All Saints priest was the only white clergyman to stand with Martin Luther King in the Rose Bowl. Since George Regas preached against the Viet Nam war AND the war in Iraq … and we fought off the IRS over the freedom of our pulpit to preach values of peace and justice.

    Where are the "true Christians?" I'd say in point of fact most of us are just truly TRYING to be Christians … to follow a Jesus who gathered absolutely everyone into his loving embrace … to preach love, justice, peace, compassion and inclusion. We're part of California Faith for Equality — check out their website. We have marched for equality, phonebanked against Prop 8, press conferenced our clergy and brought out our congregations.

    And this Sunday I'll be preaching about equality in general and marriage equality in specific … (here comes the commercial) at 7:30, 9 & 11:15. Come by and say hey … or check out our website where the sermon should be posted by lunchtime on Sunday: http://www.allsaints-pas.org

  • 151. Rick  |  July 28, 2010 at 5:08 am

    I like how the police used tape to cordon off the NO-M rally speakers area. Troopers at our State House in Columbus should've done that instead of keeping protestors and anyone assumed to be a protestor off the large plaza completely (even though the visual showed just how small NO-Ms turnout was). The visual here also struck me as interesting: The yellow police tape makes it look like a crime scene. It's a crime in progress! lol

  • 152. Kathleen  |  July 28, 2010 at 5:17 am

    I saw Rev Russell speak at a marriage equality rally in Pasadena. She is inspiring and gives Christianity a good name, even in the eyes of this non-believer.

  • 153. Lesbians Love Boies  |  July 28, 2010 at 5:25 am

    Anonygrl, they have suddenly removed all of the posts now that article.

  • 154. Bob  |  July 28, 2010 at 5:51 am

    Thanks for the reply, Reverend Russell, inspiring words, never go astray,

    How bout if you ask your boss to give you some time to actively particpate in the blog site?

    Like ministering to the P8TT family, and what about mobilizing some affirming congregations to stand in front of this train, to stand up in this civil rights movement.

    When I saw the R.C. bishop in Wisconsin recite the Lord's Prayer, it would have been wonderful to have the group sing it.

    I don't live anywhere near you Church, can you bring the message to us here, and join us on the street.

    Like Kathleen said below she's heard you speak, and was moved, and she doesn't consider herselfr Christian,

    Could affirming churches join together and present one voice to bring heart to this social action.

    Looking forward to more input from you, tell your boss to consider it outreach. cheers

  • 155. jont13  |  July 28, 2010 at 5:54 am

    'would a looming silence have actually said more than
    our words?    '

    At one point I might have thought so, but given that at Albany that's was basically the game plan – they still made up some offense (the Gay Attack Labs).

    So, no. Screw 'em.

    [On another note, has something changed with commenting? I'm not getting the usual Name,URL,Email fields showing. So maybe this won't even post.]

  • 156. jont13  |  July 28, 2010 at 5:56 am

    On another note, has something changed with commenting? I'm not getting the usual Name,URL,Email fields showing. So maybe this won't even post.

    Nope, somethings broken.

    The WP username should not be shown. Ahem.

  • 157. Rick  |  July 28, 2010 at 5:59 am

    As a former TV reporter, i just have to say that Alice was wrong not to report the punch to law enforcement. If you're a protestor at any NO-M rally, not only should you remain non-violent, but if you experience violence from a N-OM supporter in any way, you should ask witnesses to stay put, ask someone to keep an eye on the assailant and watch where they go, and grab a cop quickly! Don't think it's not worth a report because that report is considered an official, unbiased government acknowledgement of an incident. It may not go to court, but it's crucial in this perception war. Some say this bus tour is just to provoke protestors so N-OM cameras can capture our anger and portray us as crazy and violent. (I believe that, otherwise they wouldn't have positioned guys with video cameras at the protest barricades hundreds of feet from the podium here in Columbus.) Don't let them win that perception war. A police report can be used by media that consider themselves to be fair and unbiased to report such an incident when answering questions about any 'clashes between supporters & protestors'. As I've watched coverage of this tour, I haven't seen any police reports of violence. Such an official documentation of an incident, no matter how small the infraction, would've been GOLD in this perception war with N-OM!

  • 158. David  |  July 28, 2010 at 5:59 am

    Haha, that is one terrifying scotty dog. :P

  • 159. JonT  |  July 28, 2010 at 6:01 am

    Testing…? Please ignore.

    Clicked 'logout' and now all the fields are back. How odd.

  • 160. Kathleen  |  July 28, 2010 at 6:02 am

    One of the things Rev. Russell said at the rally that has stuck with me: The opposite of love is not hate; the opposite of love is fear.

    It is something I see demonstrated over and over again in the people fighting against marriage equality.

  • 161. Mark M. (Seattle)  |  July 28, 2010 at 6:45 am

    I absolutely HATE using the word Gay to mean 'bad', 'stupid', 'wrong'
    UGH!!!!!

  • 162. Richard A. Walter (s  |  July 28, 2010 at 6:47 am

    Also, wasn't Rev. Canon Russell one of the two women recently considered for the assistant bishopric by the episcopal Church? I hope she is brought up the next time they need a bishop, as I think she would be a very good addition to that level.

  • 163. Richard A. Walter (s  |  July 28, 2010 at 7:17 am

    I have noticed that also, JonT. If I forget to log out of my WP blog before making a post here, my username for my blog shows up instead of my name. Of course, I am still trying to figure out how to get my avatar on here. And unfortunately, it has been so long since I first created my P8TT account that I cannot remember the password I used then.

  • 164. Richard A. Walter (s  |  July 28, 2010 at 7:19 am

    @ Kathleen. Even Rabbi Yoshua ben Yosef of Nazareth commented about love and fear. He informed his followers that perfect love casts out fear. Too bad more of them don't listen to him today.

  • 165. Ann S.  |  July 28, 2010 at 7:50 am

    Steve, the Massachusetts cases haven't gone into effect quite yet, for technical reasons that aren't clear to me. It sounds as though the administration made that decision all on its own — after all, it's not about marriage, it's about unmarried domestic partners, and isn't really related to the Mass. cases.

  • 166. JonT  |  July 28, 2010 at 8:12 am

    Thanks Richard, was a first for me. Did not realize that I had even logged in. Will remember it for the future – sorry for the noise everyone.

    As for the avatar, I created an account (which I think also creates a WP account) on the gravatar.com site.

    Once I did this (this is where the above username came from) and added a picture, it started showing up within minutes on my posts.

  • 167. PamC  |  July 28, 2010 at 8:26 am

    Amanda Bearse–we went to the same high school, and I was in a bit part in a play with her (she had one of the lead roles, of course!). There. That's my 15 minutes done for. :)

  • 168. The Reverend Canon S  |  July 28, 2010 at 8:45 am

    Thanks for all the good words … and as for my boss "giving me time to participate on blog sites" that's actually part of my job … I'm the Senior Associate for Communications here at All Saints and part of my job IS monitoring blog sites, maintaining our own as well as my own blog, our Facebook page and Twitter feed — with occasional contributions on the Huffington Post and HRC Faith & Religion blog.

    And when people ask if that's what a priest should be spending their time doing, I tell 'em if Jesus was alive today he'd be telling the Good News in tweets rather than parables … so there you have it!

  • 169. Bob  |  July 28, 2010 at 11:21 am

    Rev Russell, you are like a breath of fresh air, keep tweeting, but also keep blogging with us,

    I had been so twisted spiritually, that I had all but given up on anything to do with God,

    It took about five years of studying Course in Miracles, which in a round about way, twisted me back in the right direction, just in time to read a headline in the Vanucouver Sun, yes I do mean headline, it read St Pauls Anglican Church Welcomes Homosexuals to Worship With Them.

    I sat there staring at that headline and thought that invitation is to me, cause I had spent long enough telling everyone I was a homosexual, causing me to be outcast from my church and not very much liked by my family of oieigin for repeating to them that I was in fact a homosexual.

    I went to church that Sunday, and was amazed by the things I heard, same bible stories but told in a different way, in such a way that included me,

    As for love and fear, Course in MIracles taught that those are the only two emotions there are, not matter what you are feeling, you can seperate it into either love or hate,

  • 170. Bob  |  July 28, 2010 at 11:33 am

    Love or Fear, that's supposed to read, Love and Fear, what you don't love you fear,,,,,,, practice lave

  • 171. Blogosphere Trends + Inte&hellip  |  August 14, 2010 at 5:16 pm

    [...] with both supporters and protesters of gay marriage. One interview in particular, from “An amazing 24 hours: Round-up of NOM tour and marriage equality news,” was featured by several other bloggers and news organizations. Creating exclusive content that [...]

  • 172. Blogosphere Trends + Inte&hellip  |  August 14, 2010 at 9:34 pm

    [...] with both supporters and protesters of gay marriage. One interview in particular, from “An amazing 24 hours: Round-up of NOM tour and marriage equality news,” was featured by several other bloggers and news organizations. Creating exclusive content that [...]

  • 173. Blogosphere Trends + Inte&hellip  |  August 15, 2010 at 12:32 am

    [...] with both supporters and protesters of gay marriage. One interview in particular, from “An amazing 24 hours: Round-up of NOM tour and marriage equality news,” was featured by several other bloggers and news organizations. Creating exclusive content that [...]

  • 174. Daily Tips to earn money &hellip  |  August 17, 2010 at 5:05 am

    [...] with both supporters and protesters of gay marriage. One interview in particular, from “An amazing 24 hours: Round-up of NOM tour and marriage equality news,” was featured by several other bloggers and news organizations. Creating exclusive content that [...]

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