lifeonq.com

Update: Georgia Joins the Impact to Protest Against Anti-Gay Prop8 Amendment

The protests in Georgia in conjunction with Join the Impact are gathering steam, with several other Georgia cities planning protests tomorrow (Saturday Nov. 15) at 1:30 p.m.  Protests are being coordinated nationwide to send a visible message of the gay and lesbian community’s displeasure over the passage of Proposition 8, the anti-gay marriage amendment approved by California voters on November 4th.  Details are also coming together for the Atlanta protest, to be held at the Georgia State Capitol building.  You can go to Join the Impact’s Georgia page for the details, which I’m summarizing for you here. (You can also check my original post on the protest here.)

At the Atlanta protest, several LGBT leaders and activists are scheduled to speak, including:

• Dr. Margaret Ayer
• Kathy Kelly of MEGA Family Project
• Radio personality Melissa Carter of Q100
• Jeff Graham of Georgia Equality
• Rev. Paul Turner
• Paul Schappaugh of Truthwinsout.org

Please make note that there have been several different locations floating around for the Atlanta protest.  The protest will be held at the capitol building at 214 Capitol Ave, SW, in Atlanta.  Just look for the gold dome.  Other Georgia cities are getting involved as well.  Here are locations for other Georgia Prop8 protests:

A check of the Facebook page for the Atlanta protest shows a count of 268 confirmed attendees and another 263 maybe’s.  Of course, not all who plan to attend will visit the Facebook page or choose to confirm.  There are also 545 “not attending” replies and 823 “awaiting replies.”  In short, rain or shine, there should be enough queers on the capitol steps to send a shiver up Sadie Field’s spine.

Here are excerpts from the the event organizer’s comments about the protest tomorrow:

• We would suggest public transit and carpooling if at all possible.
• There is a second event, a candlelight vigil at the corner of 10th St. and Piedmont Ave. at 5:00 pm. We are encouraging everyone that attends to protest to make their way to the vigil around that time. Keep in mind:  According to Georgia laws, signs are required to be less than 2 feet x 2 feet.
• This is a protest for equality and civil rights among the LGBTQ community.
• It is part of a nationwide protest with events being planned in cities in all 50 states as well as several international protests planned
• This is not anti-religion, we have invited local churches that support our efforts and equality to attend and expect several to be represented
• This protest is not funded by or organized by any group or organization. It is a grassroots effort that started with one concerned citizen and has quickly spread. It encompasses every creed and walk of life, race, religion and social statuses.
• Several local LGBTQ organizations have stepped up and will be collecting names and contact information (Georgia Equality, Mega Family Project. Others yet to come) and we will be working with them to ensure this movement does not fizzle out.

There are also some similar guidelines from the national Join the Impact organizers:

• 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.
• 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.

For me, I’m not really concerned about the “peaceful protest” emphasis.  Don’t let concerns about crowds deter you.  Don’t let rain deter you.  Just go.  Just go and bring a sign and bring your friends and be seen and be counted.  Just stand up for yourself.  Just stand up for all of us. Even if you don’t have plans to get get gay married personally, in the near future or ever, aren’t you more than a little sick and tired of being a second-class citizen?  Aren’t you more than sick and tired of being demonized?  So Georgia queers, get out of the closet and onto the streets tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 pm.