"I love you....."

[thoreau]

the overwhelmingly cute glarehead posted this morning:

"I got an e-mail as part of a list that I'm on -- the sender made a request concerning protesters at gay events, suggesting that instead of calling them names or engaging them, event attendees should simply say, "I don't agree with you, but I love you."

It reminds me of my favorite story politically. I was on the steps of the Idaho Legislature - emceeing gay pride in 2003. Gay pride in Boise with big rainbow balloons tied to the steps - and the usual warm morning. A large group of right wing pastors show up in ties and slacks and set up across from the capitol - and as our main speaker was finishing - they started singing "Amazing Grace" over the top of her. She finished - and the crowd applauded - and the preachers kept singing. they finished - and I had the crowd turn to them and applaud. and over the loudspeakers for the press and the folks attending I said "Ladies and Gentleman - The Idaho Gay Men's Chorus - - lets give them a round of applause!" - not expecting a quick witted LOUD SPEAKER sized response - the preachers quickly disbanded and left. so thats my version of flowers and I love you. :)

I think there is a certain skill in embracing protesters at gay pride events or any public event for that matter. It got to a point in Boise where the protesters stopped coming because we'd talk so openly to the press about their freedom of speech rights and how we disagreed with them - but welcomed them at our diverse community wide events.

When I watched and marched in the spectacle that is gay pride here last summer - - I missed my small town pride celebrations in Boise. The Pride Stroll from the capitol to the park. We'd untie the balloon arch from the steps of the capitol and walk it through downtown Boise. Supercool. It's still a very brave sometimes difficult thing to walk down the street in Boise or smaller towns holding your boyfriend's hand or marching with the leather contingent or even simply the "gay employees of such and such".

It's empowering for us as people to even embrace the protesters on days like that. The love that you feel in your heart when at a gay pride celebration should be shared with everyone.

so - try that next time - "I disagree with you - but I love you for being here at our pride event."

Interesting.

Comments

[bootedintexas.livejournal.com]

Very nice indeed.

[kbearblog.livejournal.com]

I had to laugh at those poor pastors running and hiding,I wonder how many of them are in the closet. Non-violent protest are the only way to go, after all you can catch more flies with honey then vinegar!

[quirkstreet.livejournal.com]

Reminds of a story that one of my buddies used to tell about a protestor at Southern Decadance. Every year he'd be out with signs about God's Damnation and such. Thing is, he was apparently pretty good looking. And radiated a certain je ne sais OH GIRLFRIEND.

So one year as the bear contingent was going past him, rather than let him yell at them or yelling back as individuals, they all pointed at him and went "Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof!"

Word was, he couldn't keep a BIG grin off his repressed-homo face at the attention. ;-)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

What a great (and smart) response to the Boise protestors!! It made me giggle. Bet half of thm walked away thinking how did he know I'm on the downlow?! LOL!

[audrabaudra.livejournal.com]

*lol*

You know, you know, you know that a passel of those pastors were as gay as. If they would only let go of their repression and grab some of that love of their fellow man they keep going on about, they could maybe RELAX already!

[grizzlyzone.livejournal.com]

You know, there have been MANY cases where two politicians seem fierce enemies, but later, when the cameras are gone, they go out and have a beer or something.