Witness of History on November 7, 2008

“In entering upon the great work before us, we anticipate no small amount of misconception, misrepresentation, and ridicule.” Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

What began in 1965, as a trilogy of events: a) the arresting of straight ministers along with a crowd of drag queens and other “homophiles” (what they called homosexuals then) at the masquerade ball sponsored by the “Council On Religion and the Homosexual”; b) the Compton’s Cafeteria riots in San Francisco’s Tenerloin, with the Compton’s Cafeteria riots in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district; and c) the Stonewall Riots four years later in 1969, has reached yet another turning point in the struggle for gay liberation - the issue of same-sex marriage.

During the part of the protest rally that happened at 9th & Market, after encountering two men, one of them (dressed as) a minister, who were espousing the same “tired and scared” view that marriage is between a man and a woman, I came across a woman who, when I suggested that declaring marriage to be a union between one man and one woman is like taking a picture of a pair of wedding rings and then placing over them the words “straights only”, replied with, “that’s right…I’m straight, and I don’t want that.”

Then as the protest headed toward San Francisco City Hall, I watched in amazement as thousands of people all gathered upon the steps of City Hall, in peaceful but certain protest, as Pollo Del Mar, a local drag personality, gave a determined and rousing speech, where she said plainly how moved she was at the turn-out of the crowd, and then exclaimed that second-class citizenship is never acceptable,” In viewing the protest itself, I’m reminded of the words Susan B. Anthony spoke, as she addressed the court that found her guilty of voting – “resistance to tyranny is obedience to God.” 

Later that evening, as took to the streets (“to the Castro”, the cry that was heard) and then at the sit-in that happened at the Four Corners, the atmosphere for the next three hours was so charged with such peace and love that I felt euphoric for the rest of the night.

I now realize that I’ve focused on sadness and anger over this for long enough. Instead, I choose to focus on the fact that while we didn’t defeat Prop 8, the record speaks for itself – 18,000 same-sex couples were legally married this year. And those who created Prop 8 have said that they will not try to invalidate these marriages. Let’s hold their feet to the fire on this. And let’s remember that if Gloria Allred and the ACLU et al. have their way, Prop 8 will be overturned.

Let me remind everyone who may be thinking that this is an issue of race or religion, let me guide you away from that thought, and instead place the onus where it actually exists – if ever there was a class issue, this was it. Let us also redirect those who fell prey to what the “mobocracy” wanted – just as with every other civil rights movement, we will eventually prevail.

Let’s also thank the youth for their incredible contribution. Not only did they play a large part in electing Barack Obama as our next President, they were the only group (besides LGBTQ people, that is) who voted overwhelmingly in opposition to Prop 8. Some may say, “It’s about time,” or “better late than never”, but I will say “thank you."