Many have come to us with ideas on what to do for inauguration day in response to Rick Warren. Many want to turn their backs, boo when he speaks, or have a large march. In my opinion, though these are ideas that I would get behind in other situations, I do not think that this is the best way to respond at such an historical inauguration. If we as a community take attention away from such a historical event in a negative way, we risk alienating a great deal of those in the middle of this struggle who are just starting to understand what we are fighting for and why we deserve these rights. We DO need to stand up for our community in the face of Rick Warren, but I believe that there is a very positive way that we can do this that will send a message, spark the conversation of equality, and show Obama just how many people support our rights and DO NOT support this horrible choice. So on January 20th, we encourage all attending the inauguration, all going to inauguration viewing parties, and all who plan on watching in the privacy of their own home, to wear the White Knot for Marriage Equality. We hope to have 35% of the crowd at the inauguration sporting the White Knot OR a rainbow armband/rainbow flag, etc. Show your solidarity and visibility while allowing everyone the chance to take in this amazing event and begin to embrace change. It is this historical event, that we as a nation can share together… a common ground that everyone can find regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or class.
Visibility in the Face of Rick Warren
On December - 29 - 2008
33 Responses
[...] Join the Impact ยป Visibility in the Face of Rick Warren [...]
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Best way to respond to the narrow pathetic views of the Rick Warrens of the world Is through a positive vision of what one believes, in maybe a sea of rainbow flags waving as he speaks, and warm but not sexual embraces, but no boos or applause for him.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 10:49 am
I disagree. Simply wearing a white knot doesn’t send a strong enough message, in my opinion. I agree that we shouldn’t try to disrupt the event with a march or with boos for Warren, but turning our backs on him is a perfectly reasonable response to what he’s done to us. Of course, I’ll be wearing a white knot as well, but don’t expect me to listen to Warren with any measure of respect.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 11:12 am
I’m willing to wager that no straight person that we are trying to reach with the “White Knot” campaign will even know what it is or what it stands for if we wear them at the inauguration.
Although I understand the logic behind not alienating people by protesting the choice of Rick Warren, I fully support those who wish to turn their backs during his invocation.
I’m tired of people telling me that I should respect (and try not to offend) people who not only hate that I exist, but also actively try to convince others that I am sinful or “sick” for being gay and even try to codify that prejudice into laws denying me basic human rights.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Don’t turn your back? Okay isn’t that exactly the passive crap that helped get Prop 8 passed. Fuck that.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
I agree with the idea of responding to Mr. Warren, whom I certainly do *NOT* revere, in a manner that is more courteous than booing and more subdued than picketing or throwing eggs at him (although I’m tempted). One reason I agree with this is that Pres. Obama is our president and Pres. Obama has invited Mr. Warren as part of the Obama administration’s commitment to diversity and governmental openness to all people equally without regard to race, religious lifestyle choice, gender identity or sexual orientation. And Obama has already answered our protests. How? By arranging for Mr. Warren to debate Rev. Whatshisname (I have great respect for justice- and equality-loving like Rev. ?Lee? but none at all for Bible-banging Jesus Nazi scum like Warren). Pres. Obama has also asked one of our Members of Congress to co-chair his inauguration; I’m referring, of course, to Wisconsin’s out lesbian congresswoman, Rep. Tammy Baldwin. Each of us can judge for ourselves whether these two revisions respoding to our protests outweigh the inclusion of Warren. I’ve made up my mind.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Yes. I think showing respect at the inauguration, along with a message, is the best way to go considering we are asking people to respect our rights as equal citizens.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I disagree. Simply wearing a white knot doesn’t send a strong enough message, in my opinion. I agree that we shouldn’t try to disrupt the event with a march or with boos for Warren, but turning our backs on him is a perfectly reasonable response to what he’s done to us. Of course, I’ll be wearing a white ribbon as well, but don’t expect me to listen to Warren with any measure of respect.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Here we go again. we didn’t get what we wanted. Obama didn’t obey us. The universe is not revolving around us. So we’re going to make a stink like a baby in a dirty diaper. This is a historic event and yes many evangilicals voted for Obama and are citizens of this country. So Obama did the right thing and showed inclusiveness and now the facist gay movement wants to disrupt it for it’s own pee wee agenda. Go ahead and make asses of yourselves at this historic moment. The inaugaration of the first black president which Americans should celebrate together is trying to be hijacked by militant gay nazis and turn it into a soap box platform for their agenda. How totally selfish of you. Do you ever think of anyone but yourselves. Do the world a big favour shut up and stay home. Let us enjoy the moment if you don’t want to.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
White ribbons? WTF…… Yawn, tired….smells like vintage HRC ….last time I visit this site…
Thanks for the great work you did around the national demos….what happened? The red ribbons did a great job curing AIDS…did’nt they?
Posted on December 30th, 2008 at 12:28 am
Oh, just SHUT IT Tristine, geez!
I still believe its important for the LGBT/Allies community to participate in this Inauguration for Obama. I like the fun idea of everyone waving rainbow flags and wearing white-knots. But to keep courtesy, why not wave the flags before and after Warren’s invocation? And also, the flags being used can be the Gay-Am version. The flags that look like the American flag except with rainbow colors. Everyone try that!
Posted on December 30th, 2008 at 2:47 am
You’re not going to shut up. Why should I?
Posted on December 30th, 2008 at 4:45 am
I agree that simply displaying/wearing the knot or rainbow colors is not enough because it does not make a strong enough statement. I think those attending in person should wear one of the symbols AND also turn their backs to the stage and, if religious, bow their heads to pray. Those watching at home should not tune in until after Rick Warren gives the invocation or, if already watching, tune away from the coverage until after his invocation. This is of course in addition to complaining to the Obama transition campaign and/or blogging at Change.gov (Obama’s transition website), as well as contacting all major LGBT advocacy groups and encouraging them to pressure Obama to apologize to our community.
Posted on December 30th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Tristine, I hardly think that peaceful and respectful protest is facism . . . my goodness, using your definition of facism, women, African-Americans, Jews and Catholics would never have achieved any semblance of equality in this country. Rather, it is facist to deny or roundly criticize citizens in a democracy like ours the right to freedom of speech and protest as guaranteed in the First Amendment to our Constitution. Just as Rick Warren has a fundamental right to free speech (even though it was ill-conceived for Obama to give him such a prominent platform to do so) . . . . GLBT Americans have every right to exercise their rights to free speech and peaceful assembly by participating in a peaceful act of protest. At this critical time in our struggle for equality, we must be visible and vocal whenever our rights are discredited or infringed.
Posted on December 30th, 2008 at 9:36 am
First, whatever is done should be done in unity- not 50 ideas splintered thru the crowd. You lose the impact as a splintered voice. Second, passiveness is not what lost Prop 8. A community across the nation not acting is what lost it. Too many thought it did not affect them and suddenly want a reason to criticize others as well as suddenly stand up. Third the disdain shown on this page is exactly what we are asking others to not do to us, so kudos to Daniel for your post. Give Obama a chance to get in office. Voice your opinions on Change.gov and vote on the LGBT issues on Change.org they close tomorrow to the next round. Protesting is not the only way to be heard and you won’t get far or listened to with comments like “shut it”. Tristine is absolutely correct in her assessments.
Posted on December 30th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Shut it? Nice!
I have to agree with Tristine. Kudos to Daniel as well. The disdain for Warren and the opponents are exactly what we are asking to not be done to us. Learn what tolerance really means! Warren’s selection sucks but at the same time, Obama hasn’t taken office yet and he must ‘repay a favor’ for Warren’s hosting him at Saddleback. Let’s get over it and move on. (Please don’t give me the lecture of what Warren stands for. I know all too well). Warren’s views are as non-inclusive as they come, but when everyone protests Warren’s prayer, remember you are also insulting Obama… which no one has given the chance to even get in office before we, as a group (albeit not a majority) wants to literally turn their backs on. Smart move. He has heard the disgust we have for Warren’s beliefs of us. Are all here actually attending the Inauguration or just spouting ideas for others to carry out?
Check out http://www.change.org and be sure to vote on the GLBT issues — first round voting closes Dec 31st. Then head over to http://www.change.gov and look under Civil Rights and make some comments and educate yourself on the Obama/Biden plan for LGBT rights. Tell him your concerns, ideas and beefs. …. speaking of beef. Time to eat.
Posted on December 30th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Ivy, Tristine has as much right to express an opinion here as you do. You have a good suggestion for trying to be courteous at the Inauguration. Maybe some of that same courtesy would go a long way here, too?
Posted on December 30th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Obama has made the coldly cynical political calculation that it does him more good to publicly kick the GLBT community in the teeth than it loses him to betray one of the constituencies that helped him get elected. The sort of cringing response advocated on this site simply validates this decision. No more groveling! No more voting for the lesser evil! Obama’s campaign demonstrated that it is never too early to start organizing for the next election. It is past time to start organizing to elect ANYONE BUT OBAMA IN 2012!
Posted on December 30th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I would have to say that in my opinion…. Yet another opinion… That the white knot is not going to make any kind of impact on most of the crowd. These people have come into our homes and dictated whom we can and can not marry! Does no one else see that? We are going right make to laying down and taking it again. We can not just let this happen. This is the perfect opportunity to get recognized on a global scale. People all over the world are going to be watching. And it is not about getting our way, it is about basic civil rights, and we are being treated with lesser rights then heterosexuals. Tristin you are clearly a passive!
Posted on December 31st, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Tony Vanoni;
Hurray! White knots will not make any impact unless they make people question why we are wearing them. Is it a cult, or a secret sign for the FBI and Homeland Security?
Too confusing.
What’s going to happen on Inauguration Day is this: Millions of LGBTQ people will be turning off their televisions.
Unless
There we can inspire the crowd at the Inauguration to drown out Rick Warren with a sound that’s all our own. I agree it would be wonderful to turn our backs, but then what? Walk all over our backs?
If LGBTQ and all who care for us turned their backs on Rick Warren, covered our ears, and let out sounds that came from our deep despair and embodied our hopes… It would be awe inspiring.
Posted on January 1st, 2009 at 6:04 am
Let me say I’m as pissed as the rest of you as a gay American man living in Prop 8 territory in an overseas relationship with my non-citizen partner for 9 YEARS. We will all be watching this historic inauguration. OK, let Rick Warren speak. We need as many allies as we can get so this should not be an embarassing ans nasty Bush inauguration like Jan 2001. Let’s see if what Warren says matches the caliber of the “vision” that our next, historically-elected Democratic President has expressed all throughout the campaign. If Obama is smart, he is being strategic about Warren’s appearance as a way to placate the right-wing conservatives. OK, let’s throw them a bone – now. Then, later this year, this term, when Obama repeals DOMA, which he promised, and Congress approves, etc. (under political pressure in the Democratic majority), we’re home free. Let’s spend a long weekend in CT or MA and we are married — in ANY state we live. One can only hope that this sub-optimal choice of an inauguration speaker is calculated for truly important reasons. Let’s see the bigger picture and keep the faith, it’s what got us to this historic moment.
Posted on January 1st, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Obama and the rest of the Dems have already begun pack-peddling on their promises to the LGBTQI comunity by hedging on DADT — now there saying it’ll be at least two years, possibly more before Obama and Congress make any efforts to address or repeal it.
I say we give Obama 6 months to see what, if any, promises he fulfills to us. June 28, 2009 is the 30th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. If Obama comes through on his word before June 28th, then we use this historic date to celebrate. If, by then, Obama has not fulfilled any of promises, then THAT will set the tone for the Stonewall 30th Anniversary — one of anger and rebellion. If we begin promoting June 28, 2009 and the Stonewall 30th Anniversary now, making its significance clear and highly visible, it will set a deadline of sorts by which Obama and Congress must take some level of executive or legislative ACTION, in order to show their good faith to our community and to ensure the Stonewall riots of 1969 are not repeated.
Posted on January 2nd, 2009 at 11:59 am
I am very please with this positive and peaceful response. Reacting with anger makes us as ugly as those who are angry at us. We must lead with compassion and solidarity.
Posted on January 2nd, 2009 at 4:46 pm
This blog is very difficult for mr to read. Could you change either the background color or the font color?
Posted on January 2nd, 2009 at 6:46 pm
What a bunch of pus****! They are telling us to Just go over there and sit down and I’ll be with you in a sec honey. Fuck that! Barack had at least a thousand other pastors that believe basically the same as rick warren. But they aren’t on youtube calling all of us degenerates! He chose to pick a fight with me. I don’t know why, since i worked tirelessly for a year and a half to get him elected. Fine he wants to kiss rick’s ass, do it in the privacy of the white house not on the frickin stage at the biggest event of last 20 years! He picked this fight and I will be at the inaugaration and you WILL here me while fat ass is praying. Go see milk and then grow a pair guys… and girls. jon
Posted on January 2nd, 2009 at 11:36 pm
I don’t like Warren at all, but some sort of disruptive protest at the inaugural will only fuel the anti-gay propaganda of the people who accuse LGBTI of being “militant gay nazis.” Obama is not going to be able to satisfy every constituency 100% of the time and a gesture towards christian conservatives may mean less of a stink when/if he acts upon DOMA or Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell. Also, anyone who has been watching the news the last few months knows Obama’s plate is full to overflowing and only a single-issue voter could expect gay issues to be #1 on the list. Gotta keep it real, people.
Yes, I’m mad too about Rick Warren. Media focus by people like Rachel Maddow have already pushed him to revise his website. The issue has been covered quite a bit by all major networks. Events like the Jan 10th DOMA protest keep public awareness up in a positive way.
But it will be very destructive to the cause of our civil rights to be seen as disrupting one of the most hopeful inaugurals in history. It’s Obama’s day, don’t piss on his cornflakes unless you really want gay issues moved further down the looooong agenda. They are higher on the agenda than they have been in a very long time! Don’t screw it up.
Posted on January 3rd, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I agree with amy. Please trust me when I tell you that whoever vetted and invited warren to give the invocation will be getting fired. This is an incredible political gaff because inviting Warren has managed to piss of approximately 35% of the Democratic Party. It is, as they say, a “Lose – Lose” proposition. The only thing to do at this point is to bear up under the pain and humiliation of his unctuous sleeze and then try and move smarty onward. Any other behavior at the inauguration only hurts our movement. I hate it as much as you do, but remember that this is only a battle and not the war. The whole war is still ahead.
Posted on January 3rd, 2009 at 4:48 pm
White knots on as many lapels as possible is great. Please send them to as many important people as possible. Send them to all of the Hollywood stars who will be going. Send them to your elected officials. People will know what the White Knots mean after Inauguration Day. This is worth a lot of money in advertising. Make the day count!!! We have MANY HIGHLY VISIBLE ALLIES in the audience who will help us. By the end of the inauguration, we will have had more exposure than Rick Warren’s position and it will be positive press, too, unless we screw it up with childish displays of distain. Remember to keep your eyes on the prize.
Posted on January 3rd, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Neal, I won’t be on the mall protesting rick warren for your rights. I will be there for my rights. I’m sure you can respect that. Even if it mean pissing on obama cornflakes.
Posted on January 3rd, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Does anyone remember which minister prayed at Clinton’s inauguration???
Part of the problem with the GLBT coalition is the tendency to make mountains out of molehills instead of focusing on effective strategies to change people’s minds.
Learn from the conservatives who got Prop 8 passed in California.
They didn’t waste time whining at protests.
They went door to door to talk with their neighbors.
They translated their “Yes on 8″ pamphlets into 15 diferent languages and reached out to California’s immigrant communities.
They make lists of people to call the day before elections to make sure everybody has rides to the polls.
They volunteer in their communities, at old folks homes, shelters, etc…
They appeal to what they have in common with people.
People who are serious about equal rights need to start focusing on more productive tactics.
Obama should be zapped regularly. Remember zaps? Gay activists used to confront politicians at press conferences, asking them point blank about their commitment to gay rights. Start putting pressure on Obama. Find a California lesbian couple with kids and pay their travel expenses so they can confront Obama publicly: “Mr. President, why won’t you support our marriage? What do you have against our family??”
Stop wasting time on actions that won’t get noticed. Protests don’t change people’s minds anymore. They are done to death and people these days just tune them out. The only people that protests effect are the people who participate in them who become so self-righteous that they can’t get off their high horses to canvas their neighborhoods in support of equal rights.
Posted on January 3rd, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Did anyone on this site actually work for Obama’s campaign like I did?> Comparing this inaugaration to clinton’s does not even make sense! The promises that were made personally thru Barack’s advocates to me that he would not pull this bullshit are the reason that I will be vocal at the inaugaration. That is my choice, I have been involved fully on the local and state level now my voice will be heard during rick’s blessing. The rest of you can make your own choice. Some times sitting and hoping are not enough. I think i;ll take my bull horn with me. j
Posted on January 3rd, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Jon….Great. Shout for me too. Thanks
Posted on January 3rd, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Hi…Visit our site and see what we are doing in Florida. Check out our video…low budget and funny
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fWSmpXFkms
http://www.impact-florida.com
Posted on January 7th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Add A Comment