Where’s the Love? A Blogger at the Prop 8 Protests

11/17/08  Print This Post Print This Post    4 Comments      Written by Robyn Johnson
  • Stumble It

Ed. Note: Matador author Robyn Johnson attended one of this past weekend’s massive protests, in San Francisco. Here’s her take on the scene.

Tens of thousands took to the streets last Saturday in an unprecedented showing of support of the LGBT community and their right to the freedom of marriage.

From Los Angeles to Boston, Prop 8 protesters made it apparent that the fight for gay civil liberties is anything but a closed discussion. It also proved to be a tipping point in the public conscious.

For the demonstrations weren’t instigated by the usual gay advocacy organizations, but by a bottom-to-top effort from individuals on the internet, spurred by a website that called for a national day of protest, Join the Impact.

The road to equality will only be won by reaching across the aisle.

A 26-year old blogger in Seattle, outraged over the results of the election, created the site during her lunch break on Nov 7th.

The site quickly became a catalyst for person-to-person rallying, receiving more than 10,000 hits in the first few hours alone.

Facebook pages went up; people twittered, blogged, used their IM status messages, and made sure the message was passed along in perhaps one of the most inspiringly altruistic uses of social networking media.

The sense of community fostered on the web continued into the peaceful protests on November 15th as leaders from diverse religions, creeds, ethnicities, and sexual orientations declaimed to the crowds that the struggle over same-sex marriage is not an a question of traditional values but of tolerance.

The road to equality will only be won by reaching across the aisle, so to speak.

Reverend Amos Brown’s speech at the San Francisco rally illustrated the narrowing gap as he spoke frankly about the intersection of his faith and his ethics: “Though I’m a Baptist, I refuse to be a bigot.”

In the face of the struggles humanity has overcome and the struggles humanity has yet to surmount, the reactionaries’ last stand in the culture war seems so unbelievably petty and mean-spirited. Out of all the tribulations to address, they chose to fritter away tens of millions of dollars to strip away the rights of a distinct segment of the American population.

To reference Keith Olbermann, why does it matter who loves whom in an increasingly uncertain world?

If Barack Obama’s election proves anything, it’s that the impetus of the world is moving towards cooperation - like the unity of the grass roots organizations that pulled together for these historical protests across the nation.

If humanity is going to solve the crises that beset our survival as a civil and peaceful species, drawing battle lines over the definition of love doesn’t even begin to make sense.

Join The Impact isn’t done yet: they’re calling for supporters to “call in gay” on December 10th.

Photos by Robyn Johnson


  • Stumble It

About the Author

Robyn Johnson

After realizing that she graduated with two of the most impractical degrees known to man, English and Art History, Robyn Johnson decided to carve her own niche in the career world. Writing, photographing, and, surprisingly, baking, she constantly strives to synthesize her environment and her experiences within it. But sometimes she can be found secretly watching reruns of Star Trek and embroidering accessories for her cats.

4 Comments... join the discussion!

  • Gregory Hubbs replied on November 18, 2008

    Irony of ironies. As my African-American wife pointed out, many of those who voted for Obama voted against gay marriage — there being a huge, huge homophobic component amidst that community.

    (Report comment)

    ↵ Reply
  • Tanya replied on November 18, 2008

    I'm hopeful that full gay rights are not far off. American history shows us that the rights of any given community cannot be withheld forever. It will be a struggle (as is was for women and african-americans), but it will happen.

    (Report comment)

    ↵ Reply
  • RobynJohnson replied on November 18, 2008

    I agree, Gregory. That's why having the president of the San Francisco NAACP and one of the only six students to be mentored by Dr. Martin King, Jr.speak out against Prop 8 was such a momentous moment at the rally. A lot of feelings were hurt by what some see as a betrayal, but I think people are working together to bridge the gap.

    (Report comment)

    ↵ Reply
  • RobynJohnson replied on November 18, 2008

    Me, too. The public's attitude towards sexual orientation has evolved so much, even in the last 10 years–thanks to popular media and activism. The reasons of opposing gay civil rights are seeming more and more bigotted and irrational as the years go by. Like Sen. Mark Leno said at the rally, since the last CA vote to ban gay marriage we have gained 18 points in the polls. Victory won't be immediate, but it will happen.

    (Report comment)

    ↵ Reply

Leave a Comment

Get Matador by Email

12138 readers


Jump To Category:



Explore the Community


Latest Community Blogs

  • Today at work I decided not to make it my typical routine of a day, Instead I decided to read a book that was loan to me...
    » posted on 1 July 2009
  • My Mozambique.                 &nbs...
    » posted on 3 July 2009
  • On and off over the years I've had some experiences teaching English in Japan.  I see questions about it from membe...
    » posted on 2 July 2009

Popular Stories on Matador

10 Tattoo Clichés To Avoid At All Cost

If you have tattoos (like me) then you know people are ... 

"Daggering" in Jamaica: A Dance Craze Gone Too Far?

The spiraling popularity of "daggering" -- a "lewd" dan... 

Hostel Sex: A Practical Guide For Backpackers

Getting it wherever a backpacker can...... 

Inside Japan's Freaky Themed Bath Houses and Bars (NSFW)

Prostitution is illegal in Japan, which may be one of t... 

Teaching English In Japan Is Awesome and Sometimes Hilarious

You never know what your students are going to write.... 



Focus


Blogroll