Over the weekend the "Summer for Marriage" national tour organized by anti-gay group The National Organization for Marriage rolled into Atlanta to rouse up an embarrassing estimated crowd of 30 supporters who showed up at the state capitol to "defend" traditional marriage. The Atlanta stop on NOM's tour is yet another low turn-out for the leading organization in the country working to prevent marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples.
Over 300 marriage equality supporters showed up to silently counter-protest NOM's hateful rhetoric and attack on gay and lesbian couples and their families. Matt Hennie, editor of Project Q Atlanta has a brilliant and humorous account of all the action.
Dr. Alveda King, niece of late civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke on behalf of NOM and embarrased herself and the King legacy by comparing marriage equality to "genocide" and warned supporters they could possibly face "extinction" if equality becomes law.
"I come from a long line of Christian soldiers...we know that people of virtually every faith and culture agree that marriage is a union between a man and woman...marriage of a man and a woman remains the guard against human extinction", said King.
Earlier in the day marriage equality supporters held their own rally in Atlanta's Woodruff Park. One of the most moving moments occurred when Patti Ellis, a local mother of a gay son explained why she was in the fight for equality.
“I want my son to have the same rights that his younger brother has,” she said.
“I don’t understand Prop. 8," she said. "Truth only reveals itself when one gives up all preconceived ideas. And that’s what I say to every mom and dad out there — give up your preconceived idea of what a gay marriage is. Stand up for your gay child,” Ellis said to cheers and applause.
Watch Patti Ellis' moving speech below as well as Dr. Alveda King's speech to NOM supporters and a very revealing interview with a local reporter that solidifies King's brand of crazy.
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