Impact Colorado

In addition to the Portland, Oregon rally that Kent and I attended, I connected with a family friend who attended a similar event in Fort Collins, Colorado (where I grew up). Here's his report from Old Town Fort Collins:

... we had a showing of about 210+ people in the Old Town square area (not counting individuals who joined in later and folks behind me who I couldn't fully count). It was an awesome old town crowd with beautiful signs and great energy...a very engaged, peaceful, and productive energy! Perhaps 1/3 of the crowd raised their hands when asked how many straight allies were present. There were even families and kiddos present all around too. I was with several colleagues, graduate students, and a few neighbours who were sprinkled across the crowd. My newest friend, Gi, was in tears but pleasantly happy with the event and the energy of the people; she just left behind her progressive Seattle neighbourhoods, so it's been a challenge to find the strong progressive pockets she is used to in all types of her diversities and advocacy. It was an interesting day because I remember making that transition from Seattle to the Fort 11 years ago and how hard the shift into this locality was; I think it feels significantly better here now; I also remember showing up for GLBT civil rights type events back in 1997-9 with only 25 people present, so over 200 today is a very different day! In any case, Gi turned to me and said something like, "I'm starting to find a sense of community here." I smiled.

State Representative John Kefalas gave an impassioned speech for equality while disclosing the loss of his best friend from college to depression and suicide over a struggle with sexual orientation. He mentioned influences that stemmed from the personal to the socio-cultural in his support; hence, he has been a longterm champion and ally of GLBT support. He also gave the crowd a specific request to keep writing to him b/c individuals who are against seeing progress be made write him often; and hence he needs to hear/receive notes from us on various issues. Minister "Mark" also gave a wonderfully humanistic speech on moving forth with a lens of humanity and faith; his partner was present; and, he noted how equality will only stregthen love and marriage. Two longterm lesbian partners who have been together for many years gave an awesome rallying talk about moving to Fort Collins from South Dakota over 10 years ago and raising two kids here. These two women were probably my favorite speakers because you could see how infinitely happy they were to be speaking to a crowd who was openly celebrating their love of many years, plus the fact that they could be open; one of the women noted how for many years they referred to each other as "best friends" and even at one point having to use the label "aunt" for the child to avoid the stigma and homophobia. Wow, so powerful to hear the challenges of negotiating truth in their own identities and familial lives. And, finally, a local singer lead us in song to end the square event with inspiration taken from a Holly Near peaceful song of being "gentle angry people" who, in this case, are fighting for our lives...gay & straight people who are fighting for our lives...gay & lesbian people who are fighting for our lives, etc.,...fighting for our lives. We then processioned from the square down College Ave for several blocks and waited on the main corner to show off all of our signs in the heart of Old Town (obeying traffic lights as we were highly encouraged to do by event folk). We got numerous supportive honks from people passing by in cars, and thumbs up from several couples walking the streets of old town...a few nervous looking folk too. But, overall, very good energy, great community feel, unity through peaceful song, awesome showcase of signs, and a peaceful walk back to the Lambda Center (who did a fantastic job of facilitating the event's activities) to watch Olbermann's (MSNBC) impassioned special comment on Love as response to Proposition 8. So, today, we congregated and rallied across the country for the civil rights of equal treatment. To be a person, to share love. It is a beautiful thing. My favorite sign had a cool wedding cake, and said something like, "Let 'em have cake."

Each time I wander the old town neighbourhood, I will NOW be reminded of these steps for justice and equality that support my everyday path with the care of this collective in the name of love!

Thanks for being visible in the public squares across the nation. Here's to congregating and walking for Civil Rights! - Eric