Friday, November 07, 2008

Is this the new Stonewall Rebellion?

Thousands of same-sex marriage supporters stormed the Mormon Temple near Beverly Hills yesterday. They targeted the Mormon Church because it raised most of the money for Proposition 8 campaign to ban same-sex marriage. I was shocked at the protestors’ rage when I saw the protest on the local news last night here in L.A. I found the news video to post here because the written news reports fail to capture the deep rage of the glbt community. I’ve never seen a mob of queers storm a church before. This may be a turning point, like the Stonewall Rebellion that launched the gay rights movement in 1969. That historic moment was barely reported at the time. This may be a turning point. This protest was not like the old days where we used to sing, “We are a gentle, angry people.” Now we are an angry, angry people. P.S. For those who wage war with words, click here to visit WOW Report’s info on how to report the Mormons to the IRS to get their tax-exempt status revoked for violating the separation of church and state.
Fight the H8 in California

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Kitt. I wouldn't mind seeing a few more of these demonstrations around the country. Could we dare show up at RC Cathedrals and the headquarters of the Institute on Religion and Democracy while we're at it? These folks sure express my feelings as we move away from election day. My thanks to them.

Kittredge Cherry said...

This post has touched off such a lively and thoughtful debate at the Gay Spirituality blog, where it is cross-posted. Click here to check it out.

There’s something about the reaction to Prop 8 that is different from previous ballot initiatives. GLBT people are fed up, and it feels like a new generation may be coming together to take a new, more assertive stand.

Over the weekend I heard newscasters on CNN marveling, “The gays haven’t given up!” They sounded so surprised. It made me realize that straight society just assumes we’re going to keep putting up with injustices and inequities, and that did make me want to stand up and tell them, “No, we’re NOT giving up!”

Anonymous said...

Thanks, kitt...I've booked marked it and a couple of others...my blogroll is getting long. I'm not sure how to edit because they've all been important to me on this path, but I'll figure it out.

Anonymous said...

I talked to a straight man about this Prop 8 thing, and he had no idea about any of it.

What this means is we have got to talk to ordinary people about exactly what our civil rights are. Don't assume people know.

And no CNN we aren't just going to take it anymore. The times they are changing yet again for a new generation.

Kittredge Cherry said...

This has been one of my most-discussed posts ever, generating plenty of comments here and 13 more at the Gay Spirituality Blog.

Here are a few highlights from the discussion there:

“God bless those "angry, angry" people. usually i'm apposed to anger being the foundation of action but this is one of those cases where "fed up" just has to reach it's natural conclusion.

i'm persoanlly fed up as well, wish i'd been there to vent my anger and disgust with that faction among us so steeped in fear and self-righteousness...

let's let our anger get their attention and then show them mercy and love. just as did our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ when he overturned the tables and tossed the moneychangers from the temple, we must continue to love them and welcome them home with great joy as our prodigal brothers and sisters when the time comes."
---Posted by: pennyjane

“When Prop 8 first passed, I was ambivalent. I don't even live in California. But then I became angry. I'm am so tired of being told, "wait, maybe next time" and "maybe in my lifetime." I am so tired of all the lies and distortions that bigots use against the LGBT community! This has to stop now. We have tried ballot initiatives and court battles, but we now need to demand a change. We need to show our anger and take to the streets. I don't even care if things get ugly or violent, and I'm usually a very nonconfrontational person who attempts to practice peace every day. But enough is enough!”
---Posted by: Riverwolf

"I keep thinking of the first stanza of this Yoko Ono song, but do pray our anger will not be taken out on our supporters of all colors, ages, incomes and faiths.

Artist: Yoko Ono
Title: Revelations
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOny1kk_RIA

Bless you for your anger,
It's a sign of rising energy.
(transform the energy to versatility and it will bring you prosperity)"
---Posted by: Stephen Mead

Read all the comments at:
http://gayspirituality.typepad.com/blog/