Part of Something Important
[Updated with photos and new fave signs!]
“In their statement on Prop 8, the LDS Church said they aren’t against domestic partnerships, hospital visitation rights, anti-discrimination laws. Well, we’re going to go up on the Hill and start fighting for you, for those issues. If it’s good enough for our brothers and sisters in California, it’s good enough for us right here in Utah.”
I went to the gay rights protest at Temple Square last night, and it was one of the most amazing single experiences of my life. I’ve only ever been to one other protest—an anti-war protest three years ago—and somehow, despite the massive popularity of Gay Pride every year, I never expected to be involved in such an enormous gay-rights protest in the heart of Salt Lake City. Thousands of people showed up. The Tribune says at least 3,000, the Deseret news says 3,500. My friend Craig was interviewed on ABC4 evening news (you can watch the video on his blog). We rallied at City Creek Park—kitty-corner from the Church Office Building—and then marched around Temple Square twice, waving our signs and chanting.
Signs I liked:
- [Craig's sign] Keep your doctrine out of our covenants!
- [My sign] Not here to get even—here to get EQUAL
- Thanks a lot, Mormon Church—now we have to have pre-marital sex.
- Joseph Smith had 34 wives—I only want 1 husband!
- D&C 134:4: We believe that religion is instituted of God; and that men are amenable to him, and to him only, for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinions prompt them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of others
- I pay taxes. The LDS Church does not. I’m who should be represented.
“I grew up a Mormon boy in Salt Lake, Logan and Ogden, Utah, and there were many things I treasure from my upbringing. I learned that community is important. I learned that we need to care for and love each other. . . . Unfortunately, there were other things I learned as a Mormon boy. I learned that African-Americans were inferior because the color of their skin was the Mark of Cain, given to them because of sins they committed in the previous life. I learned that gay and lesbian people (we called them “homosexuals” then) were inferior people involved in perversion. But I have overcome those bigotries, largely because of the wonderful people of your community I have come to know over the years.”
The atmosphere at the rally was electric. Three out gay state legislators spoke—Senator Scott McCoy and Reps. Jackie Biskupski and Christine Johnson—as well as former mayor Rocky Anderson. All three were inspirational, urging us not to hate but to use our fire to effect change.
I would not have believed that this many people would come out to support gay equality in Utah. But it happened. And that gives me a great deal of hope.
