No Roger, No Rerun, No Rent! No Roger, No Rerun, No Rent!

I always wanted to be an Act-Up Queer. I thought it would be cool to take to the streets and chant, "We're here! We're queer! Get used to it!" As the proverb goes, be careful what you wish for. What I didn't factor into this fantasy equation is that if one is protesting, it's not because something good has happened. Unfortunately, these demonstrations are preempted by some sort of injustice or inequality. This was not exactly part of my Act-Up Queer scenario. No, no... Life had an alternative plan.

On Saturday morning, an estimated 1 million people were to march against the passage of Proposition 8. All over the world. Not just in West Hollywood and San Francisco, but in Salt Lake City and Indianapolis. THE Salt Lake City. Utah, for crying out loud.

Here are some photos and videos of my adventure as an Act-Up Queer for the Day.

When I realized that the protest was downtown, I remembered that I could take the subway. And how crowded could it be? I mean who takes the subway in Los Angeles, anyway? On a Saturday?


These people do. There were dozens of gays and their friends standing in line to buy train tickets. And what was even more incredible was inside the cars. Like frigging rush hour in New York, the trains were packed with people riding downtown for the rally. Truly amazing. And hot. Not in the titillating way, but 'hot' in the humid and sweaty kind of way.



After the 15 minute train ride downtown, people ran from the cars. There was a palpable excitement in the air.



Also, there were a few crazies. Some Neo-Nazis and religious nuts. And then there was this guy. He was all by himself, surrounded by a sea of gays and our friends. And he's holding this sign by himself--which, of course is misspelled.


For awhile, there were volunteers in yellow shirts surrounding these people. Protesting our protest. Let me tell you, gays were pissed. But the volunteers in yellow implored everyone to be kind and tolerant (yes, it only has one "l") even to those who campaigned against us.

More on the rally later...