Meet In The Middle 4 Equality Rally Montage

Video montage of the Meet In The Middle 4 Equality rally in Fresno, CA on Saturday afternoon, May 30, 2009 - the first Saturday following the date when the CA supreme Court published their decision to uphold Prop 8 to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to legally marry in what is likely as the first significant moment in the history of the United States of America when fundamental civil rights were taken away from a significant class of citizens due to the will of a simple majority.

The video montage was built around the following three songs:
- "We Will Repeal Prop 8" (parody of "We Will Rock You") sung by Molly McKay from Marriage Equality USA in San Francisco.
- A poem sung by Alifa
- "Midnight Train to Fresno" (parody of "Midnight Train to Georgia") sung by Toby Madigan

Among the speakers at the rally include the following 26 appearing in this video in chronological order:
- Jeff Robinson, activist from Fresno, CA
- Diana Oliva, transgender activist
- Robin Tyler, longtime activist and plaintiff in landmark marriage equality case
- Michelle Clunie, actress from Queer As Folk and Without a Trace
- Rabbi Denise Eger, spiritual leader at Congregation Kol-Ami
- Lt. Daniel Choi, discharged from US military and leading spokesman against Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy
- Layne Soares, US soldier who served in the closet due to Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy
- Rick Jacobs, founder of Courage Campaign
- Emery Hannon, daughter of lesbian family
- Richard from GSA, leader within Gay Straight Alliance
- Dustin Lance Black, Oscar screenwriter for the movie Milk
- Ariel from GSA, leader within Gay Straight Alliance
- Chrysanthe Tan, intern with National Gay & Lesbian Task Force and Stanford student with National Marriage Boycott
- Diane Blair from S.A.F.E. (Straight Advocates For Equality)
- Christine Chavez, granddaughter of Cesar Chavez
- Jerry Thurston from S.A.F.E. (Straight Advocates For Equality)
- Eric McCormack, leading actor from sitcom Will & Grace
- Cleve Jones, human rights activist, author, lecturer
- Terry Stewart, San Francisco Chief Deputy City Attorney
- Morgan Early, daughter of gay family
- Ellis Vance, gay father and teacher
- Andrea Shorter, Coalition Coordinator, Equality California
- T.R. Knight, actor from Grey's Anatomy
- Rev. Troy D. Perry, founder of Metropolitan Community Church
- Rev. Eric Lee, president of California chapter of Southern Christian Leadership Conference founded by Dr. Martin Luther King
- Robin McGehee, lead organizer of Meet In The Middle 4 Equality rally and march

At the march, Cleve Jones and Robin Tyler publicly mentioned the March on Washing to occur on October 10-11, 2009.

Video: Sean Chapin

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• gay
• straight
• bisexual
• transgender
• fresno
• rally
• marriage
• equality
• full
• equal
• civil
• human
• rights
• march
• on
• washington

[S966174]

Now in America several states have approved Gay marriage. This is absolutely against God and the principle. If they continue this way, they humanity will perish within one generation. Many women have a very individualistic focus. Gay marriage would claim that they have human rights. But this is individualistic and not for the sake of others. How to gay people make love. How? You may know. Even animals dont do this.

[SeanChapin1]

@S966174, I believe that God made us gay and straight and loves and embraces all of us. Saying humanity will perish because of gay people is very narrow-minded thinking: gay people can artificially inseminate, and also, gay people adopt children, and moreover, homosexuality may just be nature's own check against overpopulation, which is where we're headed in the coming decades. To be sure, homosexuality is absolutely found in countless species throughout our planet.

[sublimeade]

oh my god the song at the intro is horrible

[SeanChapin1]

sublimeade, it may not have been the most perfect performance, but it was menat to be spontaneous and fun, and I love the spirit that it conveys, which is the important element here.

[sublimeade]

no, a song can ruin a cause you fascist bush-loving nazi.

[SeanChapin1]

sublimeade, I'm sorry?

[CakefaceSmut]

this video is amazing and so was that day! Its just an honor to be one of the many ppl who experienced this day here in fresno!! <3

-Daina

p.s, I posted this on my myspace and its never going down

[boricuaboi90]

i was there too!!!

[tamme7777777]

haha i agree

[jackthayer]

WO!!! GAY PRIDE ALL THE WAY!!! :D

[JTony]

Wow this is so wonderful!

I almost cry...

Thanks to everyone who made this happened!

[lcswoosh]

from Iowa, but GL.