To everyone organizing and participating in Saturday’s INTERNATIONAL protest:
As Saturday’s events come closer, it’s time for that last minute check list to ensure that everything is covered:
- Do you have permits? If you do not have permits yet, please work with your local LGBTQ organiziation to quickly obtain these. If you do not have a local LGBTQ organization, then please contact your local police and governement to get their help
- Please be as transparent with the police as possible. If you, like many of us, have found that your event grew from 300 to 3000 overnight, don’t hesitate to tell the police about these new projections. They are there to protect you and shouldn’t be stretched thin.
- Make sure you don’t bring anything that would be considered a weapon – I know this sounds like common sense, but few people realize that the sticks they use for their signs have to be no thicker than 1/4″ or else they are considered a weapon.
- Do you have speakers? Every city is handling this differently and that is perfectly fine. If you want to have speakers but don’t yet, here are some suggestions: Local religious leaders that are also gay allies, local members of the media, local LGBTQ advocates, local radio personalities, you – are you the organizer? Then you should speak.
- Find your protest location. Contact the local organizer if you wish to volunteer.
- Organize your volunteers. Give everyone who you can manage a job to help you keep things moving. Gather emails (we will soon compile all of these with you).
- Finally – I want to make sure that we are always always always focusing on peaceful demonstrations. Please remain respectful of your neighbors and reach across the aisle to our opponents (I’m sorry for that extremely trite phrase considering how it’s been hammered into our heads this election year). This is an amazing opportunity to continue the conversation and drive change. Please keep promoting peace, respect, and outreach.
There are always loose ends to tie up. Please utilize the resources made available to you at HERE, and those available to you from your local organizations joining in this movement!
Thanks!
The JoinTheImpact Team
45 Responses
Attacking a religion isn’t going to solve our problems. Hitler tried blaming problems on a religious group and it ended in misery for all.
Let’s try something more peaceful for all. We should be after rights for everyone, not looking for scapegoats.
There’s a better, higher road.
Posted on November 13th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I have been hearing about a national “call in gay” day were gay people and there allies call in sick but there seems to be some confusion about the date (either dec 4 or 10th). Do you guys know more about it and if you do can you post about it? Thanks.
Posted on November 13th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
No on prop 8 huntington beach,ca protest, sat.
Posted on November 13th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h257/raelasoul/Proph8teflyer.jpg
Protest Flyer for Northern California, feel free to use. THANKS EVERYONE!
Posted on November 13th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
I’m interested in attending the Portsmouth NH demonstration, but there’s no information about it beyond where and when. Is there a coordinator for this event? Could someone email me, please, and let me know? Thanks!
Posted on November 13th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Do individual need permit?
Posted on November 13th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Hello,
We are trying to get the right info posted for the Colorado Springs protest, but we don’t know how to do that. Could someone update the Colorado Springs info to say that the event will happen at “11:30 a.m., probably at the County Courthouse–but the location is not yet firm and everyone should check back and read the threads/comments below for future info.” We don’t know how to edit the info, so we’ll have to just post future threads. The event organizer’s email address is bbarnes5@uccs.edu. There is also a facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?oid=46406474152&view=user#/group.php?gid=46406474152
Anyone who knows how to make these edits to the info, please help us!
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 12:30 am
I just want to show my support I consider myself a straight black man and I am for marriage between same sex couples I believe that the recent legislations passed are suppressive. If you ever plan anything in the New York New jersey area let me know.
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 6:52 am
I am wondering what is going on in philly if anything… I kno that the LGBT community in philly is so divided…
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Dec 5th is no gay day, you can check it out on the la times website
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 9:40 am
oh, and one more thing we shouldn’t forget ::
be really really really careful to not offend upset or hurt the cops in anyway. avoid all possible signs of militancy. make sure to respect the overbearing power of the white gay men who will be leading you and “keeping the peace.”
try to forget as much as possible that the police aren’t there to protect you, but to control you and keep you from doing anything that might effectively disrupt the status quo.
and DO try to forget the reality of police brutality against queer people, even if you’ve read the Amnesty International “Stonewalled” report.
otherwise you might start thinking outside the box, outside the permitted march, maybe even outside the assimilationist politics.
hell, you might even get some crazy desire for liberation somewhere in your head.
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Hi,
We’re still hoping someone (anyone) will update the info for the Colorado Springs protest using my comment above.
There are actually at least two facebook pages. The second one is:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=36385722378
If anyone can put this link in the C-Springs line on the Wetpaint site, that would be great!
Thanks so much!!
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Bring a camera! This is historic, and should be recorded.
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 10:23 am
I think this quote from Lambda Legal is one of the most effective statements we can use, and I’ve posted two versions at the link above that you can print out for the rallies (one 8-1/2″ x 11″, one 24″ x 36″) :
“Surely there is [a] constitutional injury when the majority imposes on the minority that which it would not accept for itself.”
This was from the amicus brief filed by Lambda in the Connecticut case, and it was quoted in the decision.
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Looking forward to seeing folks in NYC Saturday!
http://blue4equality.org/ is interesting too, maybe everyone could wear something blue (a hat, scarf, etc?) for solidarity!
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Charisse I don’t believe so.
I think the organizer of the particular march you are joining aquires one.
Maybe some one else will reply.
Laura
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Please disregard my above comments! The Colorado Springs info has been updated and is now correct!!
Thanks!
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 11:24 am
I think these can be great slogans for self-made marching signs:
- IT’S ABOUT C-I-V-I-L MARRIAGE, STUPID
- WANT ACCESS TO 100% MARRIAGE NOT 90% CIVIL UNION
- STOP READING THE BIBLE W-R-O-N-G
(STOP READING THE BIBLE G-N-O-R-W)
- THE COURTS ARE THERE TO PROTECT MINORITIES
- EVERYONE STRUGGLES FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
- SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE
- WE ARE NOT GOING AWAY, CALIFORNIA
- RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY HAS NO PLACE IN CIVIL LAW
- MY MOMMY IS “CIVIL-UNIONED”… GREAAAT
- “I’M MARRIED” “I’M CIVIL-UNIONED”:
IT SURE FEEEELS DIFFERENT, DOESN’T IT?
- MARRIAGE ALWAYS WAS A CIVIL CONTRACT — NOT RELIGIOUS
- STILL WANT MY TAX-EXEMPT STATUS, PLEASE
- STILL WANT MY “WEDDING” PRESENTS — NOT CIVIL UNION PURCHASES
- SEPARATE CAN NEVER BE EQUAL
- SECOND-CLASS CIVIL UNIONS — NOT!
- I CAN’T TALK ABOUT MY TWO MOMMYS IN KINDERGARTEN CLASS
- SHARE, SHARE MARRIAGE
- 48 TO 52% :
A BEAR MAJORITY IS BALANCE?
Let’s make ourselves visible, people!
)
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
We made the cover of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper today!
http://tinyurl.com/protest8stl
I am so proud of my City! We will have 1000+ protesters out tomorrow – and the weather is calling for light snow.
The folks that hate us have always said, “it would be a cold day in hell when gays can marry,” well I say tomorrow we (St. Louis community) are putting on the heavy winter coats and stepping out of hell into heaven.
http://www.ShowMeNoHate.com
St. Louis City – Join The Impact
Saturday Nov 15 2008
12 Noon
St. Louis Old Courthouse
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Add to the “to do” list: Notify your local public transit officials in case they need to add more trains or busses
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Please give people CLEAR instructions how to behave in these marches! It´s really important, this happens in the MEDIA! This is big! This is the next American culture war!
Gay people have to be better than those narrow minded people attacking them.
No more spraying churches! Whatever you FEEL about the mormons!
I saw a very disturbing youtube video: gay men yelling and threatening an old lady standing and praying with a cross in Palm Spring.
We have anger towards these people, for sure, towards their ignorance. But we SHOULD NOT behave stupidly and attack an old woman just carrying a cross. Where were the gay gentlemen being able to respect her lonely crusade and let her be politely informed she was in the wrong rally…that her case already won!
With a smile! Be gay!:-)
People please, let´s show them that we are strong, we have dignity, intelligent, pride and a whole human heart, that we are not like they want to think: a bunch of perverts that cannot control their behavior and “life style”.
These kinds of hate attacks, even understandable, make even me think: no wonder the majority of people are still afraid of “the gay”!
Let this gay war be gay!
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Good luck for your protest !
The same marriage for gays and straights people !
Stop segregation against gay people towards marriage .
If you refuse a marriage between a black man and a white woman , you are RACIST .
If you refuse marriage for gays people , you are HOMOPHOBIC .
same sex marriage , YES WE CAN !
A french citizen
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I wouldn’t be rude to anyone who clearly supports prop 8, but I wouldn’t try to talk to them either. If you think you can change their hearts, and minds, you’re nuts! They are absolutists, and locked together in their hate. I really hope that you’re not trying to rely on changing their attitudes for another ballot proposal. This must be fought, and won in court. The same as inter-racial marriage, and not put to a popular vote!
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Slash from Gun and roses!!!! Commercial for jointheimpact.com
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bun4J3OhwQc
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I believe the quickest way to help those church goers who voted for Prop 8 to understand that their vote was prejudice, is to peacefully stand outside the churches, temples and synagogues and sing “We Shall Overcome”. Nothing else need be done. Just keep singing that song. Nothing could reach the African American person more than to hear that song. As for white people and Mormons, they may not relate. But then perhaps nothing can get beyond their bigotry.
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
what is up with this appalling website???
http://www.flfamily.org/ffpcnew3.php?alertid=294
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Just an observation. I noticed the logo over on this page http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com is a clenched fist with the words “Fight the H8″. I think it’s time to tone down the anger. I know gay people have every right to be angry because their rights were stripped away. But we should move beyond that. I suggest to stop using the word “hate” or “H8″ in your signs and slogans. Many people who voted for Prop 8 don’t hate gay people, and even those that do harbor prejudices are usually pretty ignorant of them. All they see is this:
Yes on 8 person: I disagree with you.
No on 8 person: Then you must hate me!
To me that’s not going to do much good. So I suggest focusing your signs on positive things, like love, or civil rights, or marriage equality.
I also hope that the people running this site will give some serious thought to changing that logo. A clenched fist reminds me of the Black Panthers, and I’m not sure if that’s the connotation this cause wants.
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Hey gang,
Just to let you know… Getting a permit (or letter on acknowledgement) from your city office is not hard at all. As long as you give them some sort of idea on what to expect, how many people, length of rally, projected totals, etc., they will work with you. It’s better to be prepared and peaceful, than not at all and chaotic, ya know?
I’ve pulled three permits thus far from our city’s offices, and they now know me by first name. LOL
They will work with you as long as you work with them. BE SMART, BE VOCAL, BE PEACEFUL.
Tom Crowe
Organizer, Equality March on Long Beach
November 7, 2008
Long Beach, CA
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
This may seem a little trivial but since most of the City Halls are going to be closed on Saturday, will there be enough restroom facilities nearby for participants to use? I’m thinking of the gathering in Downtown LA’s City Hall. We’ll need to keep hydrated so we may also need restrooms available.
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
These demonstrations are ridiculous–where was the gay community’s activism and energy prior to the election, when it might have made difference? I have been deeply disappointed in my own, gay community in this election year because so many people–many of my friends included–were too complacent and did nothing. No donations to the NO campaign, no volunteering to make phone calls to California to counter the calls the mormons were making, and a very small turnout at the protest at the Salt Lake Library the Sunday before the elections.
The mormons had every right to exercise their right to free speech, although it was deceptive and based on lies, but we also had every opportunity to counter them and did not. We have only ourselves to blame. However, we seem to fail to recognize by what a tiny margin we lost by. Is that not a great step? Even though it did not have the outcome we desire? And now, the hateful rhetoric going back and forth is only going to alienate our straight, and even some mormon allies. It is not going to make the friends we need to continue our progress.
I would urge everyone to boycott this useless protest and think about what you could have done BEFORE November 4.
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
I’m a hetero sexual man who is sickened by the passage of prop 8, I will do anything I can to beat back that disgusting bigoted movement.
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
I am all for not getting into a scuffle with police or counteprotestors, but the time for “peaceful” demonstrations is past. I’m showing up, and I am showing up angry. Top hell with playing nice. I am not asking for my rights, I am demanding them.
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
does anyone know if theres gonna be one in tennessee or gorgia(i know i dont remember how to spell it
) area ?
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Well spoken, Tommy! (November 14th, 2008 at 4:32 pm)
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
“I wouldn’t be rude to anyone who clearly supports prop 8, but I wouldn’t try to talk to them either. If you think you can change their hearts, and minds, you’re nuts! They are absolutists, and locked together in their hate. I really hope that you’re not trying to rely on changing their attitudes for another ballot proposal. This must be fought, and won in court. The same as inter-racial marriage, and not put to a popular vote!”
The hearts of the population MUST be won. You cannot legislate change and have it “take.” This was proven in CA on 11/4. The hearts of people must change FIRST. The legislation will naturally follow. That’s how it happened with Brown vs. Board of Education. We can’t win them all, but we can win enough. We must. Do not assume that the entire Christian population is unmovable. I AM a Christian, and I will be with you tomorrow.
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Don’t forget, while tomorrow is very important to us all we should all make a pledge to be more active in pursuing our civil rights. Be there tomorrow, but pledge to also keep the movement going the next day, and the next day, and the next…
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
I am a student in a high school in the middle of Oklahoma, and I’m proud to say that we had a silent protest at our school today to protest the passage of Prop. 8. Students duct-taped their mouths to acknowledge the silence forced upon the LBGT community by social bullying and pressure. Even those that weren’t silent all day wore duct-tape bracelets to show their support. Most of the teachers were supportive of the silence because the students had letters explaining the cause. We were ridiculed, and I’m not sure of the number of students that participated, but it just shows that even stereotyped high schoolers can be organized and make a statement. Good luck tomorrow!
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
“YES WE CAN!” P.S- I HOPE I FIND A HUSBAND IN THE PROTEST.
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
I am a member of Saddleback Church. I am straight, conservative, and a happily married father of 3 children.
Last Sunday afternoon upon leaving Saddleback, I witnessed the No on 8 protest on Portola Parkway, and it shall be a memorable and teachable event for our family. Waiting at the red light, a rough butch-looking woman stepped toward my car and yelled to me “I’ll bet my marriage is more stable than yours!”, which her fellow lesbians thought to be hillarious. She followed that comment with “If you don’t like it … suck it!” She was motioned back to the curb by the police at that point.
Very educational. And the left calls us intolerant and mean. Thank you for providing the teaching moment about the hypocracy and twisted thinking of the so-called enlightened gay/lesbian crowd. You have been outted for what you really are.
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Bring cameras (especially a video camera)! The spineless morons (pro-h8-ers) are less likely to do stupid things (get violent) if they see a ton of cameras rolling. Keep em visible even if the battery goes south.. Pretend you are getting footage of any bystanders/pro-h8-ers.
Posted on November 15th, 2008 at 3:59 am
Iam sure you know this already, but you should be interested in it. Here in Grand Rapids Michigan there is Grand Valley University. This is a very good Division III Football power. About 3 or 4 years ago the President (Lubbers, not there anymore) and the Board approved benefits for same sex Professors and University workers. Well, Rich DeVos ( co-owner of Amyway and one of the Florida Pro Basketball teams) reminded them that he gave $100,000 to the University and he did not want them to do this. Money won out over brains…..Might want to add Amway to your list if you have not already.
Posted on November 15th, 2008 at 7:40 am
do you have a list of all the cities that will have protests today?
cities & locations would be awesome!
good luck today!
Posted on November 15th, 2008 at 8:19 am
i’m a cali queer who’s stoked to see such participation, but laughing internally about all of the control that the “organizers” seek to exert on people just coming out to express themselves.
you can initiate a day of resistance, but you cannot dictate how it will be enacted or how it will be portrayed by the media. no one is responsible for turning these people out into the streets. and no one is responsible for their behavior. i say that in part because some of the “organizers” are going to be offended when people act autonomously. and i say it because it’s true.
again. i’m stoked to see the participation, but sad to see egos and edicts emerging faster than the actions themselves.
“the cops are there to protect you”
permits permit permits
“we need bathrooms”
Posted on November 15th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
sympathetic location! fine done!
Posted on December 24th, 2008 at 2:57 am
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