I just spent my evening in the only place where I could possibly belong. The city of San Francisco is alive with one of the most unexpected grassroots protests it has seen in years and I marched in it. Thousands of people (when only hundreds were expected), gay and straight of all colors, have come together on short notice to begin something which will prove to be bigger than any of us imagined when we heard of this demonstration.
The voice of hatred, injustice and intolerance was heard this week in California. Well, a whole new voice will be heard now. The bigots may have bought themselves an election, but we LGBT people have now found ourselves a loud voice and it will not be shut down. Not this time. We screamed "EQUAL RIGHTS", "EGUAL RIGHTS". We are no longer talking about marriage. After so many years, the state Supreme Court finally affirmed that we are a "suspect" class of people, something which no "gay rights" legislation has ever truly done. We are not to be discriminated against, we are entitled to equal protection under the law. No tyrannical majority of bigots will succeed in taking this away from us.
What I saw in the eyes of my brothers and sisters tonight is that we are beyond referenda and legislatures. We are sick and tired of waiting. We will use the courts, they are the true protectors of minority rights in a democracy, not a majority of bigots who are too slow to recognize the humanity of their fellow citizens and yet think of themselves as patriotic. If the courts fail us, we will go back to the streets. You cannot continue to do this to us and expect us to remain quiet, patient and non-violent forever. Straight people, you can stand beside us and we appreciate you if you do. But whether you do or not, we are not going back to a second class citizenship and injustice we have done nothing to deserve. NOT NOW, NOT AFTER THAT COURT DECISION, NOT EVER.