Metro Weekly

Dupont Circle protest of Maine marriage setback unleashes gay anger, builds hope for DC [video]

”We should also be celebrating what happened in Kalamazoo, and also celebrating what happened in Washington where pro-LGBT referendums passed in both those places. That’s a huge, huge victory for us.”

”The [Obama] administration did nothing to fight against Question 1. Organizers for America (formerly Obama for America) e-mailed voters twice in the last days and said nothing.”

”That’s what it took for black people in the South to win civil rights. We did not win our equality with one big march on Washington. We won it through years of sit-ins, of people facing dogs and police, people facing down a racist political establishment who had promised to give equality and [did] not deliver it.”

”We will no longer become sad and somber by the disheartened comments and discouragement of other people who may not be able to identify with our cause or who have been fighting too long and are burned out.”

”Exactly one year ago today, [California] voted on my right to get married. And apparently I lost. Because, apparently, my rights were subject to a vote.”

”The forward-thinking members of our Council have said, that the rights of a minority should never be put to vote by the majority.”

”Marriage doesn’t belong to anyone in particular. It belongs to all of us. And we will enjoy the same rights, the same responsibilities as everyone else in the United States of America.”

”It’s deeply upsetting and I don’t understand why they’re happy that we don’t have the right. It’s fair enough to be saying, ‘Okay, we don’t want you to have the rights.’ But there’s something that’s in it that’s really malicious.”

Quotes from a number of speakers who gathered tonight at a hastily assembled rally and protest in response to the loss of gay marriage in Maine. Maggie Gallagher, the President of the National Organization for Marriage, sat quietly behind the protest, she said, just to observe; which is incredible in itself because it was her organization that reportedly funneled $1.5 million into that state to successfully lead the effort in passing Question 1. That initiative was approved this past Tuesday by voters through a slim margin of 53-47%. (Metro Weekly)

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