Breaking the Silence

[charalei]

i stood on the wall and held signs with people for a few hours around noon; mine said "I am the woman who died when the EMT stopped treating me because they found out i was HIV positive and gay," there was one that said "We are the couple whose realtor hung up on us when she found out we were looking for a one-bedroom for two men," and "I am the mother who cannot visit the children I birthed and raised, because I live with another woman," "We are silent so these stories can finally be HEARD," and there were more but i forget. we officially broke the silence at 5:00pm, but had the screaming ceremony at around 5:30. most of the time before we began marching i stood there holding up the flag (in 25mph-50+mph winds, it's so much easier than a sign), wearing ducktape over my mouth, flowy tie-dyed pants, the choli i made, and a cowrie belt with coins and bells; Glen named me the Gay Statue of Liberty. huzzah x} during the screaming ceremony there were bubbles and party blower things that didn't quite work - people ripped the paper off and just ran around quacking out of pink tubes, it was awesome. Stephanie told me to lead the way with the flag, and Glen joined me about a third of the way in. people were kinda off and on about chanting, but there was constant cheering and quacking. we went south from Java, east at Reilly, north on San Fransisco, west on Butler, north on Beaver, east on Aspen, and stopped at the little amphitheater for music and speeches. basically we went back and forth over half the campus and into downtown. at this point it was absolutely freezing, and i wrapped the flag around myself, which started the "Super Gay" adventures. after all that we went to Macy's for hot drinks, and everyone warmed up and chatted, and then we all went home. DoS was awesome this year; i got hardly any negative responses from people, and had loads of fun :}
oh, and they sent the flag home with me, and i have no idea what to do with it. it's like i'm my own one-man queer nation, lol



1: Sexists, racists, anti-gays,
Homophobic bigots, GO AWAY

2: We're here
We're queer
-we're not going shopping
-and our families are real
-and we deserve rights!
-get used to it!

3: If you're queer and you know it
RAISE YOUR VOICE
If you're queer and you know it
RAISE YOUR VOICE
If you're queer and you know it
And you're really proud to show it
If you're queer and you know it
RAISE YOUR VOICE

4: Come out, come out, wherever you are!
Come out of your closet, come out of your car!
Come out of your fears, come out of your tears,
Come out, come out, wherever you are!

5: Out of our homes and into the streets!
Out of the offices, into the streets!
Out of the closets, into the streets!
All unite - fight for our rights!

6: 1-2-3-4 what are we here marching for?
Equal rights and nothing more!
So come on folks let's hear you roar!

5-6-7-8 stop the lies and stop the hate
Open your eyes it's not too late
Show your pride and celebrate!

7: Hey hey
Ho ho
Homophobia's got to go!

i know there were more, these are just the ones on the papers we gave to people.