I got called queer today

[dsc]

I was on my way to an anti NOM (national Organization for Marriage) rally. A combination of cheapness and not being sure where the rally was led me to park about 5 blocks from the actual rally. About a block or so into my walk this guy in a white van screamed queer at me. Now I was dressed in tie die rainbow colors but my sign wasn't made yet and I had nothing 'gay' on me. I will say that had it been at night, instead of broad daylight I might have been worried.

After my walk I got to the appointed place in downtown Raleigh (old Capital) and our side was already starting to fill up as theirs hadn't yet. Soon we had well over a hundred people with signs, banners, and flags. We whiled away the time waiting for the NOM bus and its crowd. By the time noon came their side of the street finally filled up to the extent it would. We outnumbered them by at least 3 or more to 1. We were kept apart by a numerous and authoritative police presence. Therefore I didn't get to hear the speakers or even know who they were.

Truth be told, I almost feel sorry for NOM and that crowd. I know what it is like to feel you can't win. Growing up I thought I was on the wrong side of not only history but God. The light at the end of the tunnel, when I could see it, appeared to be an on coming train, not the freedom I hoped for. That might well be what it feels like to be NOM today. They might be as wrong now, as I was then, though I don't think so. They can make it take longer but it is growing apparent that in the final analysis they will lose.

So I got called queer today like I used to, but it wasn't really like it used to be. Back then, I thought they were right just like they did. Now I see them for the historical losers they are. The sign I wrote out when I got there was you lost, get over it.

[BurtWorm]

1. Progress!

Long may it flourish!

[Touchdown]

2. I didn't know you can get a drivers license in the 5th grade.

Who knew?

[dsc]

7. I was disappointed he wasn't one of the NOM people

though one of their late arrivals literally ran up with a sign saying traditional marriage on one side and straight pride on the other and flipped us off. I kid you not. Frankly, he couldn't have been better for our side if we paid him.

[Touchdown]

13. Straight pride? WTF?

How much a leap do we have to take from "straight pride" to "White Power!"?

[dsc]

17. a couple of years ago we had students wearing straight pride shirts

at my school for the day of silence. It was a little disconcerting to say the least.

[Rincewind]

24. You can get

a drivers license in the 5th grade, if you are old enough

[Ignis]

36. And one year, he's going to get it RIGHT!

[denbot]

3. Good on ya'

Bit by bit there is hope for us all.

[Jennicut]

4. Technically, queer means to be odd or unusual.

And there is nothing wrong with being different, not that being gay is all that unusual. There is something wrong with being a pathetic, hate filled, poor excuse for a human being and a waste of air and space.

[Vickers]

5. Well *THAT* was the best post I read on DU today!

[Hydra]

6. Congratulations

The conservatives are always fighting the inevitable, simply BECAUSE it's inevitable.

They may have their victories. Hell, they may even start a new inquisition and kill all of us...but they can't fight the future. Someday, people are going to accept that this isn't a 1 dimensional world, and that their God doesn't hate any of his children.

One day, this is all going to be blase, and kids will ask what the big deal is...just like Women's Suffrage.

[RKP5637]

8. Exactly, they are historical losers!

[gauguin57]

9. I see the anti-NOM side WAY outnumbered the NOMnuts. Congratulations. Sorry someone yelled that.

http://goqnotes.com/7879/pro-equality-counter-protester... /

Great to see downtown Raleigh (I'm often there at this time of year, since I usually end my NC beach vacation with a few days in the Triangle). I'd have joined your group for the protest if I'd been there!

[Pirate Smile]

10. "Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice." MLK

We frequently act like the RW always gets whatever they want but they have actually had an amazing 50+ year losing streak in the "culture" wars re womens, African Americans and other minorities and LGBT rights. The train is continuing to pull further and further away from them and they can't stop it.

[LooseWilly]

11. Cheers...

Reminds me of a Fred Phelps counter demonstration I went to a while back... the Phelpsians no-showed. Glad to hear the progress is making it easier to tolerate the assholes.

[Divine Discontent]

12. wear their disdain as a badge of righteous honor. you did good today, they let down their

'better angels'.

You, were on fire for what is right and just in society - and no matter the hate spewed forth your way - you are a winner forever for your actions. They, sadly, know nothing but darkness and animosity against things different than themselves.


Here's to you keeping up the fight!

[Heidi]

14. Recommended.

[Overseas]

15. K&R! //nt

[JCMach1]

16. We're here, we're queer, we're going to drink your beer!

Oh and marry your girlfriends and boyfriends...

[dsc]

18. well the beer is safe from me though

[JCMach1]

22. Thanks for standing-up DSC!

You rock!

[Maru Kitteh]

19. Ah. I spent six years in Raleigh. Willow Springs, actually.

Thanks for standing up for equality and enlightenment. I hope you had a great time at the rally. Hot there today though, was it not?

[dsc]

21. brutal

I so hot when I got back to my car. Thank God for air conditioning or I would have fainted in the car I think.

[Hissyspit]

25. It's gonna be hotter tomorrow and Thursday!

[Cleita]

20. I'm sorry that happened to you.

However, if it makes you feel any better, a lot of us get called names for whatever we are. I was called an idiot yesterday on the job because I wouldn't answer a question that I needed to refer to a professional for an answer. There are creepy people out there who will do that because they feel they are in control and I know it's scary as well as humiliating. I think as a society we will move forward. I hope so.

[ZombieHorde]

23. You rock.

[onestepforward]

26. Cheers!

[The Backlash Cometh]

27. I met the nicest guy today which has the who emo plus gay look.

(Really not sure what emo means, but this guy has that something else that says he's way ahead of us.) He's a receptionist of all things, but his smile is non stop, intelligent eyes behind black framed glasses, sharp haircut and all the mannerism that can express more than he says.

I was thinking, damn, this guy should be an extra in a movie. He would probably be the guy that steals the scene like that tiny boy in Bruce Willis' last movie.

Then again, I live in a suffocating right-wing community and we're traveling this week. Maybe everybody around here is like him.

[BR_Parkway]

28. That is such an awesome line, mind if I steal it?

So I got called queer today like I used to, but it wasn't really like it used to be. Back then, I thought they were right just like they did. Now I see them for the historical losers they are.

[dsc]

29. sure

[Snarkoleptic]

30. We're all queer now.

[Withywindle]

31. Thanks for being there, and for telling this story, dsc!

I admire your empathy but I can't even almost feel sorry for them. Hate is a choice. They have plenty of resources at their fingertips to unlearn it and become better people, and they choose instead to grind others down.

I love your point about history - but let's all be careful out there and keep an eye out for each other. Cornered rats can be the meanest rats.

[dsc]

32. like I said had it been nighttime I would have been a little worried

but daylight, not so much.

[defendandprotect]

33. This isn't exactly related ... but ....

I've always liked to watch what youth are doing -- I like to look at

yearbooks and see the cultural change of decades, etal --

I was always impressed by Canadian TV's treatment of homosexuality in their

long ago "Degrassi High" series --

and a few weeks ago I came across a newer version of it which has been interesting --

I check in on it occasionally --

Currently they are doing a story line of a beautiful young female who explains that

she is "male between the ears." Think this series was already shown earlier this year -?

Anyway, just want to comment on the garbage that is our American TV . . . and how lacking

we are for programs like this -- in fact, how much they ignore these issues.

Now I'm kinda disconnected from TV in general -- so I may be wrong --

but still want to compliment Canadian TV for the great job on "Degrassi" --

[dsc]

35. it actually is playing on nick teen

I have been watching this to see if Degrassi would do a good job with the storyline. I also am curious about Riley. So far they are doing a good job with it. Would suck to have Drew as a teammate (poor Riley) but rock to have him as a brother (lucky Adam). I do wish American TV did a better job. We have had some really great shows (My So Called Life which lasted less than a year) and Glee which is a true hit but they have been really rare. If you get a chance watch the United States of Tara on Showtime or DVD. Great portrayal of a gay teen.

[defendandprotect]

38. Glad to see I'm not the only one checking around . . .

and keeping an eye on TV --

It's the same for women -- turn on the TV and poof! males everywhere --

and that situation little questioned.

The real issues -- Global Warming, Drug War, War, political violence of the right wing

over the last 50 years -- all necessarily ignored by the corporate-press.

[defendandprotect]

34. Patriarchy's myths of "inferior" groups . . . .

Patriarchy/Organized patriarchal religion has a long list of enmies --

including nature, women, homosexuals -- etal --

And we all INTERNATLIZE those myths !!

Still going on!!

But I want to say that the battles for human rights/civil rights have been sterlingly

represented by the homosexual community -- intelligent and courages battles -- which

make us all freer -- not just homosexuals, but all of us!!

Thank you!

[gratuitous]

37. I heard a sermon a few years ago

The pastor, a middle-aged woman at another local church, was preaching for the National Coming Out Day worship service. She talked about getting something out of the back of her pick-up (an adult version of the little red Tonka truck she loved so much as a kid - talk about foreshadowing). A car whizzed by, and someone inside shouted "DYKE!" She turned to look after them and said, "Duh!"

Yep, the NOM crowd is losing and they can't possibly prevail. They're not quite so scary anymore, and it's natural for feelings toward them to move toward pity.