Personal Accounts from Join the Impact

First off, some video footage from the rally in Mississippi — special thanks to ostinsfriend for sharing this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiSj1YW_E8Q

A reader of Andrew Sullivan’s The Daily Dish wrote:

I’m not gay. I don’t have gay friends or family. This isn’t about homosexuality. This is about civil rights.

I attended the rally in Portland, ME (no pictures, sorry) with my wife and 4 year old son. A lovely older gay woman in the crowd thanked me for coming, and I thanked her right back. I don’t support gay marriage as a favor to gays, and I’m not owned anything for fighting discrimination. We don’t–we shouldn’t–need to rely on gays, on friends and families of gays, to ensure equal rights for all Americans.

I’ve got no special affinity for the gay community, but I’m an American and a patriot: I’ve got a special affinity for my fellow Americans. I’ll be damned if I acquiesce to such shameful hate and discrimination.

There have been many stories in the media about the protests this weekend, but I’ve found the reports from protesters themselves to be far more intriguing. To that end, click on for links to photos, video, and personal accounts from all over the world.

In photos: Join the Impact – San Jose

Flickr photo set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pin/sets/72157609151275104/

In sum: Amazing. We can choose to look back and wonder what might have been if this sort of positive spirit and energy was present prior to the election, but it doesn’t matter now. This was what the movement needed. This was what got myself — a straight male in college — to push my peers to stand up and rally alongside the LGBT community. They might have won a sentence last week, but we ended up winning so much more.

This isn’t just California’s fight, anymore. This is for everyone that supports civil rights, and you all came out in astounding numbers. It might not seem like it now, but we’re that much closer to achieving marriage equality for all. A very special thank you to everyone that took part.

Saturday 11/15: Join the Impact *INTERNATIONAL*

Date: Saturday, November 15
Time: Unknown — contact your local organizer
Location: Varies — see support page
Support page: http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/page/International

As of today, the Join the Impact protests are now international events. Areas listed so far include the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Australia, The Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Portugal, Japan, Hong Kong, and Belgium.

Note that information is limited at this time, and is subject to drastic changes over the next 24-48 hours. For the most updated news on the international protests, please visit the support page.

Saturday 11/15: Reno Protest at 5:30PM

For more information, please visit yourgayreno.com.

(Note: This is technically part of the “Join the Impact” national protest, but I’ve made an effort to separate it due to the differing start time.)

Wednesday 11/12: NYC Temple Protest

Event link: http://tinyurl.com/44ywjn
Date: November 12th
Time: 6:30PM
Location: The Mormon Temple in New York City (125 Columbus Ave at 65th Street)

This Wednesday, New Yorkers will be gathering in Manhattan to Protest the failed Prop. 8 from California past ballot.

Bring signs, candles, friends! However, please be respectful. Protesters are not there to protest the Mormon faith.

**CANCELED** Friday 11/14: Protest at SF Chronicle

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE (See: Protest8)

Event link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=33626752759
Date: Friday, November 14, 2008
Time: 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Location: San Francisco Chronicle (901 Mission St., San Francisco, CA)

In photos: 11/9 State Capitol Protest

Major credit to TheLaughingPlanet over at Daily Kos for taking these photos. You can find the original diary with his photos here. Thanks!

Attendance estimates vary in the media, but those that took part believe several thousand people were there. Also present were Mark Leno and Christine Chavez.

Saturday 11/15: Join the Impact NYC

Facebook event link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=33598248873
Date: Saturday, November 15, 2008
Time: 1:30pm – 4:30pm
Location: City Hall (260 Broadway, New York, NY)

Join the Impact is a group that is organizing protests nation-wide against the anti-gay propositions that were passed on Tuesday. Proposition 8 of California, Proposition 102 of Arkansas, and Proposition 2 of Florida all banned gay marriage. The Arkansas Adoption Ban prevents unmarried couples from adopting children, and supporters have made it clear that this was aimed towards gay couples.

The protest will take place at 1:30 pm on November 15th at City Hall in New York City, as will other nationwide protests. If you cannot attend in NYC, you can find your nearest location here: http://www.jointheimpact.com/?page_id=2

Also, ignore the end time. It’ll end when it ends.

Finally, I’m trying to figure out whether or not we need a permit, and how to get one. If anyone knows anything about this, please let me know!

For more information, visit www.jointheimpact.com.

Saturday 11/8: No on 8 Protests (SoCal)

From the campaign: http://www.noonprop8.com/events/community-gatherings

San Diego
12 Noon | 1st Avenue & University
March to 30th Street & University Avenue in North Park.

Laguna Beach
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
March to Main Beach for candlelight vigil.
Parking available at Act V parking lot at 1900 Laguna Canyon Road Shuttle busses will be running every 15 minutes. Bring signs, flags, candles (or flashlights), whistles, and dress for a cool evening.

Los Angeles
6 p.m. | Sunset Junction in Silver Lake
Sunset Blvd and Santa Monica Blvd

Sunday 11/9: No on 8 Protests (NorCal)

From the campaign: http://www.noonprop8.com/events/community-gatherings

San Jose
2 p.m. | Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center
938 The Alameda
Questions? gloria.defrank@gmail.com

Sacramento
Facebook event link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=43238222536
Date: Sunday, November 9, 2008
Time: 1:00pm

The fight has just begun.

Please join thousands of Californians at our state capitol to fight for the rights that are ours! Join in what could be the largest civil rights movement of our time. You don’t want to miss this historic event!

**TRANSPORTATION**
Organizers are planning on arranging a caravan from Emeryville in the morning. I will update as soon as I hear back from them.

SPREAD THE WORD!