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Monday, May 18, 2009
New Yorkers took to the streets yesterday by the thousands to show their opposition and support for marriage equality, and the atmosphere at the two separate events couldn't have been more different.
The pro-marriage equality rally organized by Broadway Impact and held near Times Square brought out Gov. David Patterson, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, NY Assemblyman Danny O'Donnell, and state Sen. Tom Duane. The cast of he cast of Hair performed along with Audra McDonald, multiple Tony Award winner and star of the ABC drama Private Practice. Sex and The City star Cynthia Nixon also made an appearance.
Gay marriage supporters held up signs that read "Separate Is Never Equal" and "My Lesbian Sister Is A Better Parent Than Miss CA Could Ever Be", a direct jab at the separate and unequal institutions of domestic partnerships, civil unions, and the controversy over the new Anita Bryant, Miss USA's Carrie Prejean.
The anti-gay marriage event held uptown by the rabidly anti-gay NY Senator Ruben Diaz attracted thousands of participants bused in(mostly from out of town) who staged a protest in front of NY Gov. David Patterson's Manhattan office. Diaz is an extremely vocal opponent of marriage equality and is considered to be a huge roadblock in ensuring the marriage equality bill passes the Senate.
"The evangelicals stayed mostly very positive, I will say, delivering nothing by smiles and heavily-accented "Jesus loves you" type messages as they passed the 50-60 LGBT activists waving "Thank You, Governor" placards and banner, notes blogger Joe My God who was in attendance.
The throngs of protesters waved their weapon of choice-the bible- and screamed as if Jesus himself had returned to earth when Sen.Diaz appeared. You would think blacks and hispanics would understand the struggle for civil rights. Truly sad. Columnist Bill Withers said it best, "Oppression does not equal enlightenment about others. It just means you are at the bottom looking up." Get into videos from both rallies below.
Photos courtesy of Bernie Tarver & Joe My God
3 Comments:
I find it AMAZING how the opposition to GAY MARRIAGE has the same tired boring message...
May 18, 2009 9:16 AM
I find it so interesting that so many of those in opposition of gay marriage that were born in the NYC area, remain here because of the opportunities or freedom that is available here. This is also what brings some other people to this area but yet here are some of them trying to strip an opportunity or freedom from others.
May 18, 2009 4:49 PM
Why can't we have a huge rally like that with just people of color? I say that because our race is the last race to accept anything new or catch on to something already being done or accepted by other races. We have these huge Prides in DC, New York, Miami, Chicago, and Atlanta...but there is never a true Unity showing such as a HUGE, OVERWHELMING, Parade that would show all of the many people of color who love and like same sex and their desire and expectations to be accepted. Opposition to Gay Mariage, how bout black opposition to black gay's....deuces
May 19, 2009 7:15 PM
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