Thousands at same-sex marriage rally in Fresno

[annm4peace]

http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/1437778.html?mi_pluck_action=comment_submitted&qwxq=9168216#Comments_Container


Thousands at same-sex marriage rally in Fresno
Some well-known names, activists and many other supporters meet at City Hall.
t was anything but a typical Fresno City Hall gathering Saturday as Hollywood stars, elaborately dressed drag queens and activists rallied for the right of gays to marry.

But their target audience was decidedly mainstream -- including people such as Chuck McNally, a straight man from Fresno.

"I just think everyone should be treated equally," said the 32-year-old community activist, who was brought to tears as he spoke.

******** of course the Fresno Bee gives a little coverage.

Check out "Meet in the Middle" website and listen to some really great speeches.
Especially the morning speakers

http://www.meetinthemiddle4equality.com/index.php

[Karenina]

1. K&R!!!

[Starry Messenger]

2. kick!

[david13]

3. Very good idea. Hope they go to other cities, but,

the timing seems wrong. There is no vote pending. The time to do this was just before the vote on Prop 8.
Wait til it's on the ballot, and do this just before the vote.
And do not forget to do the same in a few of the other small towns in this state.
dc

[EFerrari]

4. K&R

[Lindsey]

6. I absolutely agree with david13. I'm a lesbian and the so-called

"organizers" against Prop 8 did a horrible job before the vote. I actually saw an add to vote against Prop 8 in our local publication "The LN". Duh....! Why in the hell would they waste their money advertising in a gay publication?!?!?! I have a friend who lives in Fresno with her partner and their adopted son. They went to this rally. But did they do ANYTHING AT ALL BEFORE the vote? NO! Not a damn thing. And, of course they're appalled that it passed. I guess we here on DU are so used to activism (for lack of a better word) that we know what steps to take to get things done (unless of course the real outcome is stolen which, of course, it was- IMHO twice). I know I'm ranting a little but a lot of my fellow gay friends just think things happen. I know all too well that it takes a tremendous amount of individuals working on their own time at a grass roots level.

[HOLOS]

5. K&R

[dickthegrouch]

7. I thought the best speeches were ...

Lt Choi who was exact kind of firebrand this movement needs. I completely agree with everyone who says "No more Mr(s) nice Gay" or "Forget asking, it's time to demand",

Cleve Jones who brought the same kind of energy to his speech, and, to my surprise

Rev Eric Lee who had better justifications than anyone else I've heard for kicking the churches out of the Marriage debate.

I'm disappointed everyone left so quickly afterwards, but I had a good time and even met an old friend whom I had not expected to see. Unfortunately I did not find many other old friends who could have been there to swell the ranks further and help in the organization of our next move.