Nationwide Protest for Marriage Equality - NYC Rally

[viduabird]

LGBT or hetero, we're all the same! Love is love!

[Jake9085]

I just don't understand...why can't we just have what everyone else has...it's so simple a request...but it seems to some like a terribly huge thing to ask

[tubeeorrnottubee]

I don't believe this passed.. I just don't understand it! NObody WiNS here! Except for the cretins who sought to spread lies to terrify parents, guardians--and just people in general--who didn't research the facts very well!... Incredible~

I thought, "There's no waaaay it'll pass!!!" --What the crapp HAPPened??!!! It's ridiculous!!!!8-|

May justice prevail!

[guillote75]

next time, we'll make sure barbara also joins the crowd.

[moomay11649]

Keep on keeping on. It will be overturned.

I hope in my lifetime.

[Perroquet51]

The best sign there was "No more Mr. Nice Gay". Don't ever give up, don't ever stop, don't EVER accept for oppression. Civil disobedience.

[FantasticBabblings]

Those people who want us to shut up about this could accomplish that in a single moment when they stop opposing equality. Until then, we will keep on.

[hotfhairy]

I agree we have to fight on, nice video

[smalltownamerican]

sick new york scum. All fags will burn in hell

[FantasticBabblings]

There is no hell.

[Coachwkr]

@FantasticBabblings Liberal New York City is close to hell.

[silverscreamgrl]

David (aajunior) steered me here. Thanks for sharing this with us. It was a very moving piece. I hope that in the very near future this all works out and EVERYONE has equal rights. I loved some of the signs that were created. They do drive home the point.

[FantasticBabblings]

Thanks for watching. It was great to see David at the rally.

[falcondan95705]

The most PRECIOUS right all of us have is the Ballot Box.. To have 3 Judges in San Francisco DICTATE to the majority is the most blatant form of discrimination! Don't let judges RULE over us! The people have spoken and the Gay community should accept it...If we don't have the right to vote, then let the courts rule EVERY aspect of our lives..

[cehbeach]

I got an idea, Phil. Why don't we all put a prop on the next cycles ballot to ban heterosexual marriage? Fair is fair, right? BTW, did you see the video of Wanda Sykes going to town at a rally in Nevada? watch?v=RRyVH-1zadg

[peelpod]

THANK YOU NEW YORK! United we stand. Divided we fall, and we're gonna be standin' for as long as it takes! Equality for all. With lots of LOVE from your brothers and sisters out west in California. We WILL overcome!

[SomethingAwfulYT]

fuck religion!

EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL!!

[AnarchyBalsac]

Don't be so quick to blame religion itself. Yes there are religous fundamentalists who support prop 8, but plenty of religous people who aren't anti-gay don't support prop 8.

Also note, that from an athiest standpoint, being gay can be seen as defying nature, therefor wrong.

I am against prop 8 myself, and I am not anti-gay, but if you blame anti-gay activities on religion, you risk narrowing your focus on only some of the anti-gay crowd. And that's bad.

[FantasticBabblings]

The correlation isn't absolute, but it is strong. 84% of weekly churchgoers voted for Prop 8. 82% of those who never attend church voted against it, according to CNN exit polls.

[AnarchyBalsac]

Youch. Well I gotta admit those numbers are hard to fake. Still, I gotta wonder if it's influence from anti-gay reverends or if it's really their own independant thoughts.

Not that being susceptable to bigotted influence is much better.

[intracoast]

Demonizing those with whom we disagree is not a very good start to this new world of change and equality. My guess is the percentage of weekly church goers who voted for Prop 8 is small compared to all who voted. Singling them out when it is known that both Latinos and Blacks voted in large numbers for Obama and for Prop 8 is a convenient twist to take another swipe at the hated straw man. Many people see same sex marriage as a change in the definition of marriage.

[FantasticBabblings]

I haven't demonized anyone. I have disagreed and pointed out statistics. But many religious people have demonized me. Newt Gingrich has branded gays and secular people as "fascists" just a couple of days ago.

[intracoast]

I am glad to hear you are not demonizing those who you disagree with on this topic. Certainly you are no fascist and anyone who demonizes you for your beliefs I oppose. But you are criticizing religious people for their support of this proposition and giving a pass to the Latino and Black people who voted overwhelmingly in favor. Why? Could you be overstating the religious argument for the proposition and understating the general unpopularity in changing the definition of marriage among voters?

[FantasticBabblings]

I don't think I am giving them a pass. Most of the black and latin voters who voted for Prop 8 did so for religious reasons. I don't think I stated or implied that the churchgoers were all white.

[intracoast]

"Most of the black and latin voters who voted for Prop 8 did so for religious reasons." How do you know that? The people of California voted some 70% for Obama, yet you seem to think they are religious bigots. And yes there is a something a little creepy and intimidating about targeting people for what can be threatening protest at their house of worship on the basis of their "private" ballot.

[FantasticBabblings]

Exit polls showed most black and latin voters were churchgoers. Black clergy were publicly vocal on this issue.

I haven't called anyone a bigot or threatened anyone. Some in the gay community have, but I am not responsible for them. I agree with you on that. Gay people are a diverse group with some common interests. Please do not lump us into one sterotypical pool and make us all responsible for what the others do.

[intracoast]

I defer to your polls and support your right to protest...and agree that lumping any group into one stereotypical pool is unfair.

[FantasticBabblings]

Thank you. And I agree with you that threats and name calling do not help matters. Although, I didn't see much of that at the NYC rally. In fact one of the speakers in this video talked about the need to reach out to straight allies, Republican allies and Christian allies. I hope a conciliatory spirit prevails.

[AnarchyBalsac]

Good point, I could see that being part of the problem if those groups are considered by default to be unconvincable and not even approached by the pro-gay crowd, and as such, are not getting both sides.

[iLOCOE]

I'm 13. I'm an 8th grader. I live in El Paso, Texas. I'm gay, and watching these videos impacts me big time.

I might not have been in those big cities, protesting along side with you guys; but to myself, I knew I was there in a way. This might sound... okay, it does... sound weird, but me being me, it hurt me knowing that Prop. 8 was taken into action and I know I can't marry the one I love when I can. . .

I'm going to stop before I turn into a babbling idiot...

But, thanks for posting. <3

[FantasticBabblings]

Thanks for watching. Stay strong. I am optimistic that things will be much better in your lifetime.

[brilsmurf]

I am not gay, but good luck to all who are with jour fight for gaymarriage! 5 stars.

[FantasticBabblings]

Thanks for your support. There were plenty of straight people there, too.

[hartnell114]

3:44 ...jeff goldbloom??

Impressive! :)

did you get to make a speech too? =)

[FantasticBabblings]

I don't think it was Jeff, but I'm sure the guy would be flattered that you think so :)

[hartnell114]

smellin o jeff ;)

[BiSensual]

BiSensua is free now. Thank you.

[guildpactminish]

I attended the rally in West Virginia. There were only 50 of us, but we definitely got our message out.

[FantasticBabblings]

Fifty in WV is pretty impressive.

[BoomerChick55]

Good job, Phil.

[FantasticBabblings]

Thanks, Boomer.

[XlaviathanX]

Much Love ...Travis

[FantasticBabblings]

Right back at you.

[JeeprzCreepers56]

I love the sign that says "No more Mr. Nice Gay." ha! ha!

[FantasticBabblings]

Me too :)

[GramsandPapi]

It's wonderful to see such a strong turnout! This stupid Prop 8 crap NEEDS to be overturned! Thanks, Grams

[FantasticBabblings]

Thanks so much for your support.

[hippygram]

Do you think they get it? Sadly the majority of people do not understand thr meaning of true "equality". In April the equal pay for equal work bill was voted against! Until the people of the world see all humans as equals we will continue to see wars, discrimination and hate. It is definately time for change!

[FantasticBabblings]

Equality is a work in progress. It always has been, and probably always will be.

[RoulinBrooks]

So great that this was organized. I read about the nationwide rallies in the NY Times this morning. Great signs, too. I loved the "I will NOT be tolerated" sign. I fucking HATE that word "tolerate". "Oh, I'm very open-minded. I tolerate my gay neighbours." Like you're tolerating a bad smell or something. So patronizing.

The Times also quoted pro-8 groups as saying they're not anti-gay. Just pro-marriage. Total bullshit.

Rallies like this give me hope that things will change.

[FantasticBabblings]

Yes, that pro-marriage reminds me of the love the sinner, hate the sin argument. It's sanctimonious bullshit.

[torpedofish]

We went to the protest in D.C. yesterday! It was rainy and it took us an hour to walk four blocks, but the energy of the crowd overpowered the crappy weather!

Cheers, thanks for posting!

[FantasticBabblings]

Thanks for showing up. And thanks for watching.

[jbre2008]

My wife took me in the wheel chair to the Chicago event, because we respect and enjoy your thoughts , by the way we are striaht and married for 35 years and everyone should have the same oppurtunities ,as we did

[FantasticBabblings]

That is great. Thanks so much for showing your support.

[Maladath]

The "WHEN DO I GET TO VOTE ON YOUR MARIAGE" sign was awesome!

[FantasticBabblings]

There were some clever signs there.

[aajunior]

Good seeing you today. It was a great day.

I am a little upset, all my footage is lost. My computer is anti gay and permanently deleted my stuff.

[FantasticBabblings]

Oh, damn. That has happened to me before. I'm sorry you lost it. But I proved you were there :) There will be more events to film.

[aajunior]

yes there will, so true... unfortunately. fortunately it brings us all together.

[mootallica]

Its kinda of amazing how something on my side of the country can effect the other side.

[FantasticBabblings]

It was a "viral" protest. In less than a week word spread to over 300 cities, some outside the US.

[nbwulf]

Excellent! It's so awesome to see such a large crowd... enjoyed it, thanks for sharing.

[FantasticBabblings]

Thanks, Jason.

[fishhead06]

Why didn't we see all this before the vote?

[torpedofish]

Because the protest is a response to the vote. If the proposition had not passed, there would have been no need for a protest.

[fishhead06]

I guess all I'm saying is that this sort of activism during the campaign might have defeated Prop 8, considering its passage was so narrow.

[FantasticBabblings]

Complacency and a bit of denial. I think most of us assumed California would vote this down.

[mikma]

mikma was here

[FantasticBabblings]

Which is always an honor.

[gllafc]

Great video.

I sang the Star Spangled Banner with my chorus (NYCGMC) at the beginning. Did you see us?

[FantasticBabblings]

I didn't get there in time to see it, but I saw the video. Great job.

[MadBadVoodo]

Interesting video man...

5/5

[FantasticBabblings]

Thanks.

[GeeKayKayGee]

I hope that turnouts such as this will continue and spread across the USA. Perhaps the passing of Prop 8 is going to backfire on its religious proponents.

It looks like there was a very nice crowd at the protest there FB and some really cute guys too.

[FantasticBabblings]

I mentioned to a friend who attended with me that I don't think the Mormons know what they have awakened.

[strangeparty]

I was unable to make it but I'm glad to see that you did. Looked like a good crowd.

[FantasticBabblings]

It was a good crowd, in size and spirit.

[Namari12]

I went to the one in DC today.. it started *pouring* down raining but we braved it anyway xD. I thought we had a big turnout, but it was nothing like that! Thanks for sharing!

[lthrdyke6]

I was there, too. On my ride home, I saw a rainbow. Made my day!

[FantasticBabblings]

How appropriate!

[FantasticBabblings]

I'm glad you went. We thought it was going to rain here, but it cleared up long enough for the rally.

[moshingmonster]

it pisses me off, that people still have fight for equal rights.

When will people learn,that everyone is equal, no matter what?

[mootallica]

never

[FantasticBabblings]

Some people will never learn, but most will.

[TheChainsawGodd]

There was one in Tampa that I wanted to go to. Too bad I had to work today.

Thanks for posting this, hopefully some good will come of this.

[FantasticBabblings]

I'm sure there will be more events. This is just the beginning.

[f3xpgm]

I wish i was there with you guys! Lovely! Thank you so much for fighting, it means a lot to the gays around the world!

Big big hugs my friend! Hi David, lol!

[FantasticBabblings]

You were in our thoughts and here in spirit.

[aajunior]

Hi Felix, wish you were there. As Phil said, your thoughts and spirit were there. Miss you!

[f3xpgm]

Miss you too! ;)

[FantasticBabblings]

He does a little. Now that would be some irony.

[PrincessDiana161]

I love the sign... "let Gays Marry or We'll stop planning yours"

[FantasticBabblings]

I liked that one too :)

[AnarchyBalsac]

The thing I don't get, they say gay marriage should be banned because it's a sin in the eyes of god. Worshiping satan is a much worse sin, but devil worshipers can marry, and I somehow doubt God would hate gay people more than devil worshipers.

Not making any pro or anti religious statements there, just an observation of the facts.

[FantasticBabblings]

Indeed, murderers and child molesters can legally marry. It isn't really a rational position taken by the opponents. It is largely based on fear and misunderstanding.

[JimmyHook]

Great turnout! Beautiful fall day in NYC! Obviously, I wish you were gathering under happier circumstances, but it still seemed like an empowering experience.

[FantasticBabblings]

Like all gay political rallies it was festive and included much humor and good will. And there were many straight people there, and mostly younger people. Clearly this is activism in the socially-networked, tech-savvy era. Just like the Obama campaign. It is electronic community organizing.

[thinkmorepink]

AAAAAAH What a fantastic gathering of people!!!! I'M SOOO Impressed with the turnout

[FantasticBabblings]

I was very pleasantly surprised. I had no idea that many people would show up.

[OhCurt]

I love that "get off our asses" speech.

:-)

Feel the excitement here!

Yep, it was very much the same energy over here today, although I'm extremely impressed with the turnout there.

RIGHT ON!

[FantasticBabblings]

It was a good day. It was festive and humorous, yet determined. Everybody got along so well and there were no incidents that reflected poorly on us. No God Hates Fags signs, that i noticed and only one person from the neo-Trotskyites :) I thought about you and my other friends who were in other cities doing the same thing.

[geroldkid]

Other states are getting on with this. My city had a big protest last week, just a damn shame I couldn't attend. You would think such a progressive state like CA would've vote no on 8 right? Pfft.

I love NY.

[FantasticBabblings]

On days like today, I especially love NY. There were so many people, even with heavy rain forecast.

[RandomCastaa]

I guess this is a better place for a video response. Sorry for the double post.

[FantasticBabblings]

Wherever you want to put it. I wonder if some people will take that the wrong way :) I enjoyed your video very much.

[logicaust]

I hope that the lawmakers see reason and let homosexual people enjoy equal rights. On a side note, I think that a person's homosexuality is an individual's choice; just as an atheist would view their rejection of a god as an individual choice.

I understand the need for recognition & to a greater extent, union between fractured lines of opinions, but I dislike labels (like pink everywhere, rainbows, unicorns). Perhaps I'm...rambling now. Anyway, good to see you up and about, FB.

Peace.

[FantasticBabblings]

Politics always simplifies to slogans and symbols. I am not crazy about it, but I have been to so many of these things I have become inured to it. As for choice, I know what you mean, but I don't know any gay person who thinks sexual orientation is a choice. But legally, it shouldn't make a difference. Even if it were a choice it should not be subject to government approval.

[logicaust]

Just wish to clarify. Many homosexual people keep leaning towards nature in the Nature vs. Nurture debate regarding the origins of their homosexuality; that being that they are homosexual due of their genetics, rather than as a result of being exposed to a lifetime of decisions, choices and actions.

While I don't discount that it may well be genetics that make a person homosexual (let me make that clear: I *don't* discount), I find it a diagnosis lacking in rigor.

[1/2]

[logicaust]

[2/2]

In defence of that opinion, Mainstream views on this clearly conflict. Take the stances of the American Psychiatric Association & American Psychological Association (its in Wikipedia). Who should one agree with? Has evidence progressed far enough, on either side, to conclusively state one way or the other?

In any case, I totally agree with the opinion that it should not even matter. It's a no brainer, in my opinion. Take care Phil.

Peace.

[FantasticBabblings]

Way too analytical. I don't think most gay people intellectualize it. The choice question is one of direct experience. When I feel pain I don't have to analyze the exact cause of the pain. I know it from direct experience. I also know that my sexual feelings are an intrinsic part of who I am, not a result of a conscious choice. Just as straight people do not make a decision to be attracted to the opposite sex. It is not a diagnosis. I am not diseased.

[torpedofish]

Way to articulate! Very, verrrry well put.

[logicaust]

Okay, now I'm coming off as insensitive.

Also, I never implied that you (or any homosexual) was "diseased". Too analytical? I point to two recognized medical institutions to point out the contrast of consensus, in addition to mentioning the lack of evidence to say one way or the other...and I'm now "too analytical"? I'm not here to judge anyone's lifestyle, nor say anyone is wrong on the issue.

[1/2]

[logicaust]

[2/2]

But I certainly won't discount either. If I said that I knew (from personal experience) that "god" (any denomination) existed, any atheist would demand evidence of this. Naturally. Are you implying that I would have to be homosexual to "get it"; to "know" that a person is born gay? I'm sorry...I'll have to agree to disagree.

Peace.

[FantasticBabblings]

I don't require evidence of god from any religious person in order to respect their freedom to believe without infringement. Only when they try to convince me that I must believe. I am not trying to pursuade anyone to share my feelings, just to respect my right to them.

[FantasticBabblings]

I don't think you're being insensitive, just not purely rational. There is a dearth of real information as to why someone feels what they feel sexually. Saying it is a choice is a positive assertion and the burden of evidence is usually on the positive assertion not the negative. And you don't have to be homosexual to get it. Can you tell me when you made the choice to be straight?

[FantasticBabblings]

The word choice indicates a conscious proactive decision. Many religious people can tell you when they made that choice, or had that life changing experience. I cannot tell you when I became gay, nor can most people - gay or straight. I have never been heterosexual in my memory, in feeling or action. My affectional preference was for boys long before I knew what sex was.

[FantasticBabblings]

While direct experience is not proof positive of anything, it can be a factor in evidence. It requires additional evidence, which can corroborate or disprove. But if we discounted all direct experience we would know nothing. Claiming the existence of god is a positive assertion and bears the burden of proof. As to the root nature of sexuality I am agnostic. Until someone has real evidence, I will rely on my direct experience and not speculation.