I’m still sorting through emails and phone calls, but can say with great confidence that tonight’s vigils reached over 1 million people! Our amazing volunteers (all of you!) trudged through crazy snowstorms, rain, and traffic to ensure that their light could shine bright on the sea of change! Over 1 million 5 Rights Holiday Cards were passed out and hundreds of thousands had important conversations, educating the nation about our struggle.
In my own experience, I was met with eyes of confusion, disbelief, and even offense. Many people were angered that I wore the slogan “2nd Class Citizen.” Anger is an emotion that is extremely powerful, yet fleeting. If handled correctly, it can be changed into something extremely positive. People joined our march as they walked from point A to point B, they grabbed flyers and handed them out, one even started chanting for equality. And those who were angry, you ask? Well, some remained that way and didn’t want to speak. Others, took a moment to talk. Many, walked away with a feeling of new understanding. One elderly man told me that he will be at our next rally, and he was sorry he hadn’t understood before.
1 Million people educated
1 Million people touched
1 Million people reached
1 Million people illuminated.
8 Responses
Thank you to everyone that came out and made this event a success! I think it’s great that we are all still motivated for this cause.
As for the cards, I think it’s great that they were being handed out at the sites, but is there anywhere we can go to find a bigger list of the differences in rights that we have from straight couples? I keep getting asked what the 1,100-1,400 rights are, and I can only name about 10. I can’t find a list anywhere, and I can’t seem to find anyone who can tell me what these rights are either. I feel that knowledge is power and we would be much stronger if everyone in the community knew all the rights we are missing out on.
Posted on December 21st, 2008 at 8:34 am
I was going from the train station to the vigil when a man stopped me and seemed offended when he asked me why I was a second class citizen, since “This is America. We don’t have second class citizens.” I simply told him it was because of who I love and handed him the 5 Rights Holiday card. His offense turned to astonishment as I spoke to him and he realized how violated I feel on a daily basis. Hopefully it made him think and maybe his prejudice turned into understanding. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of the night for me.
Posted on December 21st, 2008 at 8:55 am
In Pasadena, California, we were met with only positive comments. A cold clear night, the citizenry were out in full force to Christmas shop, and many asked who we were. We were joined by strangers that were not aware of Join the Impact but now are. I was so proud to be the Mother of Megan and a surrogate for all the young men and women fighting this good fight. Thank you Join the Impact for your skills in organizing and your clear and level headed leadership. Ginny Yount
Posted on December 21st, 2008 at 9:21 am
I spoke at the Orlando event – and it was a powerful experience. I am not affiliated with any one organization. I am just one person sharing our need for equality persistently with my family and friends and in just a couple months have blown the doors off of my advocacy closet! I’ve been out for years – BUT NOW I’M TRULY OUT. I encourage everyone to get active – to care for our lives! WE all can do anything if we think we can!
Alan Bounville
Taxpaying Second Class Citizen
Orlando, FL
Posted on December 21st, 2008 at 12:17 pm
I traveled out of town so I could not make the New York Vigil, I did go the the one in Boston it was snowing and freezing cold, but we had a good turn out and even had families with kids join. It was great. I still have some extra fliers so I will continue to hand them out. Using the metaphor of snow let think of this is movement as a snowball that is growing larger and larger.
Nothing better than a good snowball fight !
ps where are all the pictures posted?
Posted on December 21st, 2008 at 1:21 pm
I wanted to print some flyers to share but I think poor choice was made re which rights to list. First 3, good. #4 – I understand there’s a big diff but PLEASE, let’s not mix this up with immigration issues! That scene is bad enough and shd remain totally separate from gay rights. There’s all kinds of anger about illegal immigration already, it should not become “connected” in the minds of the biased. What about things like, “the hospital doesn’t consider me family and I can’t see the person I love, even on their deathbed”? Even the insistently heterosexual religious fanatic will at least empathize with that…if they can open their hearts to their own feelings about family maybe they can begin understanding how the gay community feels. We’d make much more progress with empathy.
Posted on December 21st, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Here is a link to the HRC website that provides information on the 1138 Federal rights and protections that are granted to married couples
http://www.hrc.org/issues/5585.htm
Posted on December 21st, 2008 at 6:48 pm
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