Filed by Bil at 10:54 pm under Fightin' Words, Gay Agenda, Homophobia, Social Issues

Ever the supportive straight guy, I went with Trevor downtown Chicago this weekend to the protest against California’s Prop 8. It was a rally that turned into a march throughout the Loop and up the Magnificent Mile. It was, as they say, really something. It’s hard to describe right now beyond the basic facts, so I guess I can start with those. The rally had several speakers, highlights of which included Pastor Sherrie Lowly of the Berry United Methodist Church in Lincoln Square, which, coincidentally, was the location of a play I saw the night before; also speaking was Illinois State Representative (13th District) Greg Harris. The 13th District apparently includes my neighborhood…also coincidentally.

The events of the day are still swirling in my head, so I apologize if this post seems loosely structured. I’m sorry. I’M SORRY, PEOPLE! I AM BUT ONE MAN!

Anyway, the first thing that struck me was the number of people. They anticipated 200 or so, and they got about 2,000 or so. This caused the organizers to get ticketed, as the permits they had acquired did not account for nearly this many people, but I’m sure it was a small price to pay if they were really serious. They seemed pretty serious to me.

With numbers like this, especially numbers with a large percentage of fabulous personality, you see plenty of signs and flags.

There were, of course, counter-protesters – almost twenty strong, which is less than 1% of the size of the actual crowd – with signs of their own. Spoken aloud, they probably sounded like this:

– It’s Not Natural
– Homosexuality is Not a Family Value
– Defending Marriage is Not “Hate”

The only thing better than the fact that there were so few of these people was that their signs can’t really stand up to a real argument.
It’s not natural? Yes it is. There are over 1,500 known species with observed homosexual behavior. Gay is perfectly normal for humans as well. In fact, it’s more normal than having red hair.
Homosexuality is not a family value? Well, neither is heterosexuality. I think my dad did a fine job of raising me, and never once did he say to me, “Son, remember…you must only put it into a lady. Anywhere else harms the family.” Sexuality of any sort has nothing to do with family values. Try arguing that one to your grandmother.
Defending marriage is not “hate?” A) Discrimination is not “defending marriage,” and B) if it’s not hate, then it’s just plain old fear…and fear, as we all know, leads directly to hate. So, really, yes, it is hate.

Anyway.

One of the most repeated messages from all the speakers throughout the afternoon was this: do not give up. If the protest is used as a vehicle to let off steam and then no follow-up, then it might as well be over. Protest – this one, and others like it – can only be the beginning.

But how, then, do we follow up? Well, for starters, there’s always another protest to be had: the next one I know of is next Saturday night at the Century Theatre in Evanston, whose owner gave $10,000 of his own money to support Prop 8.

Chicago’s Gay Liberation Network is calling for a boycott of Century Theatre, 1715 Maple Street in Evanston, and plans a protest on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 5 p.m.

Yes, feel free to join the protest.

Also, another message coming from the speakers (which I think is of equal importance) is this: do not hate the haters. The best way to change your enemy’s mind is to make the enemy your friend. It’s a simple trick, really; don’t be a dick and people might listen to you. Tolerance will not change into acceptance if it doesn’t go both ways. Boycott and protest, but don’t be a dick.

Speaking of going both ways, let me just mention some signs I saw from the side of the fence I was on that rather disturbed me. Now, just as I am not gay but I support gay people: I am not Christian, but I will support Christians who don’t discriminate. I mentioned a pastor as a speaker at the rally; her entire church is anti-Prop 8, and hers is not the only church around that is anti-Prop 8. I can’t defend all churches, because there are more in support of the proposition than against it, but I would be careful not to demonize all people who attend church based on their attendance alone. The Mormon Church is not the new KKK. Christianity is not synonymous with Fascism. A person cannot be defined only as either anit-gay or pro-gay. That’s the wrong view to take.

Now, that being said, I must also say that I agree with the speakers on another issue: civil rights have never been attained by politely asking, and the right for all people to marry must be demanded. So, while we can’t go about picking fights and making enemies, we must not bend or concede a single thing until equality is attained.

It’s important to call your representatives and ensure that they get on board. As I learned this weekend, my rep is already a sponsor of bills to allow for same-sex marriage in Illinois. In fact, he is openly gay. So calling him might be redundant. But I’ll tell you what, reader: if you don’t want to do the research yourself to find out who your representative is and where he or she stands on this issue, I will be happy to look it up for you. Just tell me where you live, I’ll find out. But you have to make the phone call.

Don’t forget about your senators, too. I’ve written Dick Durbin directly and asked exactly where he stands on the issue. I’ll be happy to share his response when I get it.

In the meantime…do not give up! Keep up the good fight, America!