Counter-protesters drown out anti-gay rally

[Ian David]

Issue Date: 12/14/2006, Posted On: 12/11/2006
Counter-protesters drown out anti-gay rally
Ethan Jacobs
[e-mail]

VoteOnMarriage.org, the organization that sponsored the amendment to ban same-sex marriage, organized a rally Dec. 9 in New Bedford, the first of a series of rallies around the state to protest lawmakers’ scuttling of the amendment by a procedural maneuver. On a bitterly cold Saturday morning, VoteOnMarriage.org managed the impressive feat of drawing a crowd of about 200 people to their rally, but there was one major problem: most of the people who turned out at the rally were there to support marriage equality, not oppose it.

The contrast between the two camps gathered in downtown New Bedford was stark. In front of New Bedford City Hall about 80 people had gathered, most carrying the same mass-produced green “Let the People Vote” signs that have been a staple of VoteOnMarriage.org rallies for the past year. The VoteOnMarriage.org demonstration had strong religious overtones: standing out among the crowd was a group of about half a dozen Franciscan monks in their robes, and prior to the start of the rally the speakers filled the streets with chorale music.

Directly across the street, in front of the city’s library, a crowd of about 120 people gathered. The group had been organized by the Marriage Equality Coalition of the South Coast, an affiliate of MassEquality. In contrast to the monolithic green signs on the other side nearly all of their signs were handmade, with messages like “Love Thy Neighbor,” “I’m Proud Of My Gay Son,” and “New Bedford Does NOT Discriminate,” and they stood side-by-side with a banner for the local Unitarian Universalist church, and a rainbow flag. Bev Bacelli, the lead organizer of the counter-protest, said she put the word out via e-mail about turning people out to stand in opposition to VoteOnMarriage.org’s rally about three days before the event, and through e-mail forwards and word of mouth they built a crowd that surpassed VoteOnMarriage.org’s.

“{We’re here} to support our state legislators who are, as the delegation of greater New Bedford, all in support of not passing this constitutional amendment,” said Bacelli. She added that the coalition and its supporters wanted to send the message that “the citizens of greater New Bedford want nothing to do with discrimination and homophobia.”

She said the sense of urgency behind responding to the VoteOnMarriage.org rally came in part from the aftermath of the brutal assault by 18-year-old Jacob Robida last February on the patrons of the gay bar Puzzles Lounge.


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[ninkasi]

1. There is no valid reason to ban same-sex marriages

Considering the high divorce rate of Southern red states, trying to color same sex marriages as somehow detrimental to marriage is a joke. This is about imposing their own viewpoints onto others, Since Franciscan monks do not marry, I don't see why their opinion should matter...after all, marriage doesn't affect them one way or another. When all of the dust has settled, the only ones against same sex marriage are the ones whose religious views consider homosexuality to be a sin. We were founded as a secular nation, and are not supposed to let religion dictate law.

One ridiculous thing is that banning same sex marriage will not affect the numbers of gay and lesbian couples who live together, and consider themselves married in all but name. They suffer from not having the same benefits as straight couples, which to me should be illegal, because they are denied equal rights. I contend that a stable, loving home is of great benefit to society as a whole. It is not my right, though, to determine whether the couples are heterosexual, or otherwise. I have enough trouble managing my own life, and have no desire, nor interest, in controlling the lives of others.

I have a step-daughter, from a previous marriage, who has been married six times. I have a very dear couple who are gay, but who have been together for over twenty years, and will be together until one of them dies. My step-daughter is straight, my friends are gay. I'd like to hear an opponent of same sex marriage explain to me what benefits each one could have possibly contributed to society. I'll give a hint...it's not my step-daughter.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Good for the counter-protestors and the UU

for putting its banner by the rainbow flag. I WANT to promote marriage between two committed, loving people. I see gay marriage as a way to bolster marriage by setting examples of fidelity--I've read about same sex couples who had been together 30, even 50 years joyously coming to MA to exchange vows. That should be celebrated and pointed out as a good example of commitment.

[xchrom]

3. ...

:applause: :applause: :applause: