Saturday, November 15, 2008
Two protests in two days. Tucson held its protest last night to coincide with the unveiling of a new ad campaign highlighting gay families.
The crowd in Tucson.
Unfortunately, downtown Tucson is sooooo dead at 5 PM and we marched from one enclosed, invisible space across a bridge with high walls to another enclosed, invisible place. I'm guessing 400 or 500 people attended. I was especially pleased to see a straight co-worker (Hi Stacy!) there with her young son. She doesn't know how much I appreciate her support.
Lyle, Sandy, David G., and Chris.
While we waited next to the Pima County Courthouse we could hear them calling out numbers, "43!," as a Justice of the Peace married straight couples. "44!" It was ironic that they had an assembly line of marriages that those of us gathered nearby cannot experience because 56 percent of Arizona voters are bigots. "53!" A few couples and their families wandered out and were a bit astounded at the sight of so many gays and lesbians and straight friends holding signs.
Elliot is no longer being nice!
I called Brian last night and alerted him that I was thinking of coming up to Phoenix for their protest. He was excited when he called me this morning as I was driving north (gas is $2.19 a gallon now!) listening to the Avett Brothers on my Ipod (they are so excellent, I thank Chas for introducing them to me). I really wanted to stop at the ostrich farm, but no time for that.
A beautiful sign held by a beautiful person.
In front of the Phoenix City Hall.
Gregg and Homer.
Afterwards we marched to the State Capitol and I wished I had brought along some water because darn if it wasn't very hot in Phoenix.
Brian at the Arizona State Capitol.
Brian and I celebrated by eating pizza and french fries afterwards. On the drive back to Tucson I listened to the Avett Brothers and sang along, offkey, of course.
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The crowd in Tucson.
Unfortunately, downtown Tucson is sooooo dead at 5 PM and we marched from one enclosed, invisible space across a bridge with high walls to another enclosed, invisible place. I'm guessing 400 or 500 people attended. I was especially pleased to see a straight co-worker (Hi Stacy!) there with her young son. She doesn't know how much I appreciate her support.
Lyle, Sandy, David G., and Chris.
While we waited next to the Pima County Courthouse we could hear them calling out numbers, "43!," as a Justice of the Peace married straight couples. "44!" It was ironic that they had an assembly line of marriages that those of us gathered nearby cannot experience because 56 percent of Arizona voters are bigots. "53!" A few couples and their families wandered out and were a bit astounded at the sight of so many gays and lesbians and straight friends holding signs.
Elliot is no longer being nice!
I called Brian last night and alerted him that I was thinking of coming up to Phoenix for their protest. He was excited when he called me this morning as I was driving north (gas is $2.19 a gallon now!) listening to the Avett Brothers on my Ipod (they are so excellent, I thank Chas for introducing them to me). I really wanted to stop at the ostrich farm, but no time for that.
A beautiful sign held by a beautiful person.
A much larger crowd in Phoenix, gathered in front of the City Hall. I'm guessing perhaps 2,000 people of all ages, colors, straight and gay. Quite a few children. Speeches and music. People need to speak up and talk directly into the microphone, pretty please.
In front of the Phoenix City Hall.
I ran into Frank and former blogger Chris and then a very good friend, Gregg, that I haven't seen since 2003 or 2004. It was really nice to spend a moment or two with these people.
Gregg and Homer.
Afterwards we marched to the State Capitol and I wished I had brought along some water because darn if it wasn't very hot in Phoenix.
Brian at the Arizona State Capitol.
Brian and I celebrated by eating pizza and french fries afterwards. On the drive back to Tucson I listened to the Avett Brothers and sang along, offkey, of course.
