An estimated 3,000 Austinites turned out to protest anti-gay ballot measures across the country today. 
A grassroots coalition of social networkers, gay bars, activists, journalists, and churches helped spread the word about the rally at City Hall, which featured speakers from Atticus Circle, Soulforce, and Equality Texas, as well as individual Texans sharing personal stories about the impact of discrimination.
The highpoint of the rally lineup was 10-year-old Mason Marriott-Voss, who told the crowd about the day his moms, Sue and Tanya, were married in California. Mason spoke eloquently about how Prop 8 hurts ordinary kids and families, and he reminded us of the diversity of families in America, where only 23% of families fit the so-called "traditional" model.
"According to my math teacher," Mason quipped, "that's a minority."
Soulforce Executive Director Jeff Lutes begged rally-goers to hold onto today's momentum by coming out in all parts of their lives, reaching out to friends and family, and empowering themselves to organize in their own communities.
"You know, here in Texas, we sometimes feel like marriage equality won't be a reality for 10, 15, or even 20 years. But I'll tell you one thing for sure: it'll take twice that long if you and I don't do anything about it."
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9 Comments
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We are so proud of our city!
Check our more pics and video (comeing soon) from the Austin protest on our blog!
http://www.warrenandderrick.com/2008/11/scenes-from-todays-austin-join-the-impact-rally.html
~Warren & Derrick
Warren & Derrick | November 15, 2008 6:17 PM
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Protests were held with hundreds attending in Iowa in Iowa City, the capitol Des Moines and in the small town of Decora -- all despite freezing temperatures and biting winds.
Speakers in Des Moines included state legislators past and present, Ed Fallon and Matt McCoy among them, and the gay couple who managed to marry in the brief interim between a lower court's ruling that the current statutory prohibition against civil marriage equality for same-sex couples in Iowa violates the state constitution's equal protection guarantee and the injunction barring any more civil marriages between same-sex couples pending an appeal to the state's Supreme Court, oral arguments for which are scheduled in December.
The crowd included a mix of gay and straight, and people of all ages -- the mood was of determination to fight until equality under the law was secured. There were no acts of civil disobedience or violence but the underlying anger was palpable and very clearly not flash-in-the-pan.
Marla R. Stevens | November 15, 2008 7:02 PM
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i have my pics and audio up from today's austin rally - http://www.orthocomics.com/wordpress/2008/11/15/national-day-of-protest/
it was a GREAT day!
stsean | November 15, 2008 9:17 PM
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What an awesome turnout for Texas! The picture of the little kids is just too cute. I love the snoring couple, too! Boy can I relate to that!
Serena Freewomyn | November 15, 2008 9:54 PM
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That's my son and his best friend. They both came up with their own sign ideas!
Paige Schilt | November 15, 2008 10:05 PM
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That makes it even better!
Serena Freewomyn | November 15, 2008 10:20 PM
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though i'm pretty ambivalent about marriage, great to see my parents there :)
Ryan Miller | November 16, 2008 3:52 AM
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I love that so many people turned out in my home state of Texas!
Michael Crawford | November 16, 2008 9:20 AM
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Wow. 3k. We got 250 tops - but it was raining and sleeting and cold as hell!
Bil Browning | November 16, 2008 10:25 AM
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