DCist: Rain, Delays Didn't Keep Prop 8 Protesters Away

jakers

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:59:56 -0500

Sure it's off topic, but McGillicuddy is right-on. I also noticed the really bizarre bokeh in the photos.

OnlyatBrandeis

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:24:17 -0500

That was way more than a drizzle!

tooshytostop

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:48:02 -0500

Thanks so much for the info about the protest! Too Shy to Stop photographer Shaun Bell captured some really great photos. You can view his photo essay here.

SoFlo

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:51:34 -0500

Sadder still was that the lesbians could out chant all us gay men. The supportive honking was pretty cool. One driver did flip us the bird as we crossed the street, but I think that was because we were holding up traffic. Not bad turnout considering the abysmal weather.

Hillman

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:40:37 -0500

Greeper: I saw the same thing - looks of black people giving the thumbs up from their autos. That made me happy, in a gay way. The march itself was overwhelming white, and very young, at least in my section. That sortof made me sad.

Reid

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:28:06 -0500

Also, on the Church thing: Even if they had a solid base of support in Wards 5-8, they'd still need to get 5% of the signatures from at least two of Wards one through four. That's a tall, tall order. I should clarify, to my understanding, DC has never had a ballot initiative on any topic, whatsoever. Through all the crap of the 80s and 90s, never did a movement organize enough to even get a question on the ballot. That indicates to me that it's just about impossible. Let's put it this way: do you think there's a stronger movement to ban gay marriage than there is to overrule Fenty's school takeover? I doubt it, yet the Save Our Schools coalition never came close to putting the takeover issue on the ballot, and I doubt it was from lack of wanting it. I think it's good that they're prepared for it, but I just don't think it's a viable threat, certainly not on par with Congressional meddling or court challenge under DOMA.

greeper

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:52:14 -0500

THe problem with churches in DC getting out the vote is that their parishoners all live in MD. Time and again in recent years the churches' ABRA (alcohol license) protests have been dismissed because they couldn't provide an actual resident to file thier protest papers. But we cannot be complacent in assuming anything. I will say that *so many* of the honks and thumbs ups this weekend at the protest were african american men and women. It made me happy (but not in a gay way).

Moose

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:33:44 -0500

@reid There was a ballot initiative scare a few years ago, which mobilized enough activists to set up the infrastructure needed to fight any future ballot initiatives, so we're well on the way to defending against such a beast here. But don't underestimate the power of churches in this city to get the voters out to vote against gay marriage (the big lesson from Prop h8). It'll be an uphill battle if it gets on the books, though the council might well do what it seems to always do with inititive results it doesn't like - just overturn them the next chance it gets (e.g., term limits).

Reid

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:11:00 -0500

"There are two major political concerns in D.C. regarding marriage: the potential for a ballot measure and Congressional intervention," Crawford said. "If a marriage bill were to be introduced and passed by the City Council, we would most likely face both challenges," he said. Umm, there's probably a good reason why DC has never actually had a ballot initiative or referendum. According to the DC code you need signatures from 5% of registered voters (~15,000). Plus you need to have at least 5% from 5 different wards; so you couldn't run up the score in one or two wards. That's a pretty high hurdle. Moreover, I suspect that a gay marriage ban would not pass even if it were the very first ballot measure DC has ever had. So between him calling it "the City Council" and his apparent lack of knowledge regarding DC ballot measures, I suspect he's not that in tune with local politics. Of course he's right about Congressional meddling, but I think it's doubtful this Congress would thwart the Council on gay marriage. Too bad we just failed to elect a councilmember who would actually fight for marriage equality in favor of an empty crony suit.

Moose

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:49:59 -0500

I love the "single & bitter" sign, that's great.

NCinDC

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:49:31 -0500

I wish heterosexual divorce was outlawed. We must preserve the sanctity of marriage at all costs.

McGillicuddy

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:41:43 -0500

there is some bizarre bokeh going on in some of those photos.