I am NOT a great morning person. I will soak up every last second of shut eye possible. But this morning my eyes opened, like, POW! I remembered right away what was happening today. I moisturized, threw on my red shirt, my supportive bra and got in touch with my buddy, Rusty.
While I was getting ready and figuring out how I was going to teach my preschoolers while being so juiced, Rusty was passing by Union Station and Columbus Circle,
making his way to the rally just in time to see the sun come up over the Supreme Court.
You see, today was history. Freaking history! The Supreme Court heard arguments for and against same-sex marriage for the first time. And Rusty was there! Lucky for us he documented his day and shared it with me via text. Even more luck, I JUST started my blog and can remember this day forever, have a bit of history passed directly to me and share, share, share!
Rusty:
I was a bundle of excitement from the moment I woke this morning. I had never been to a demonstration in front of the High Court before so I kinda didn’t know what to expect. A big showing? Small crowd? Yelling and shouting? Civil disobedience?
Michelle:
What did you feel when you got there and realized the magnitude of support?
Rusty:
Well, as soon as I exited Union Station, there were two kinda lonely looking marriage equality supporters in Columbus Circle. I smiled and gave them the thumbs up and asked if there were a lot gathering. They smiled and nodded. I high tailed it to the front steps of the High Court, maybe a ten to fifteen minute walk from Union Station. My energy only elevated.
When I saw the crowds I smiled and lost my breath a little.
I couldn’t see any of the opposition! All I saw were people IN SUPPORT of marriage equality.
Michelle:
*sniff*
Rusty:
Groups were chanting “EQUALITY NOW!” and “ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, LOVE IS WHAT WE’RE FIGHTING FOR!” and “GAY, STRAIGHT, BLACK OR WHITE-MARRIAGE IS A CIVIL RIGHT!”
Opposition were organized elsewhere and making a marching entrance around ten o’clock. They marched up First Street NE with a police escort. That’s when it got loud! The excitement intensified. Good vs Evil collided. The chants got louder as they approached. There was also a pastor who began preaching and condemning the pro-marriage demonstrators but our voices drowned him out! That moment was spectacular. I was yelling at the top of my lungs “EQUALITY NOW! EQUALITY NOW!” Getting in his face, pumping my fist. I was fired up, tranny!
But I saw no instances where it got really ugly or nasty.
You can see his short video of rally footage here.
Rusty:
There were also two proud gay republicans showing their support with us. They had a sign with the GOP elephant logo in rainbow.
Michelle:
(Remembering to breathe)
What would the end of DOMA mean to you?
You can see the defeat in this guy’s face already.
Rusty:
An impossible future of a loving committed relationship with another man suddenly becoming possible:’)
Legally.
Recognized by the federal government.
The ability to say with conviction, “I am an equal American with the same right and privileges that heterosexual Americans enjoy.
(Here I believe we both paused to choke back a few tears)
Michelle:
What about adoption?
Rusty:
Haven’t thought much about it. My brother has two kids, a boy and a girl. I’m my nephew’s godfather. Bobby and I are quite happy with what we have now.
Who knows what will be.
Not arrested. Yay! But a hoarse voice. Small price to pay for equality, right?
And that’s Rusty! Can you see the energy, happiness and thrill he’s exuding? Today I got to live vicariously through this sweetheart. Bless him!
Today my Facebook looked beautiful with the red equality signs everywhere. I wore my red, though I’m not sure how many here in south KC noticed. But that’s ok. I couldn’t be in front of the High Court, but I was carrying the spirit of this historical day with me. I teared up a couple times and my chest swelled with pride with every sign of equality I saw.
Finally, I will end on this. My cousin Mike is very dear to me, has an amazing heart and has, as you’ll see, an amazing insight and way with words.
“Hi, Love. I don’t believe in labels. Mainly because a label is giving someone else empowerment. But the one label I do believe in is love. No matter who you fall in love with, you should be able to express that love the same way as the rights of the majority. We’ll look back at these times and be either ashamed at the ignorance, or proud that we allowed acceptance in love.”
I know it will be the latter.
Related articles
- Watch: Elderly Woman Takes Center Stage in Marriage Equality Case (abcnews.go.com)
- Transcript and audio: Supreme Court gay marriage arguments (blogs.suntimes.com)
- Facebook red equal sign running rampant in support of gay marriage (baltimorenewsjournal.com)
Twissted Fancy 