Thursday, Mar. 04, 2004 - 9:12 am
Um... I'm sorry.
This relationship just isn't working for me.
I'm at www.dailypreciousness.org now. So change that bookmark.
Never be late for a polital rally. If you're late, you get fussed at by the police for not "keeping it moving, folks." If you're late, you don't get a good view because the poster holders have planted themselves squarely in front of you. If you're late, you may not get first choice of which guy puts a sticker on you. You may have to accept less-than glamorous hand-out posters. The poster you get *may have been handled* by previous protester with poor hygiene. If you're late, you simply can't enjoy the entire rally experience.
So, of course, I was late. I could hear the cheering a block away. It was from the crowds, not from the huge speakers. People were chanting and raising their handmade signs in the air. The signs were great: "Don't legislate hate," "Marriage is a human right," which I thought was cool, and the pithy "Don't write discrimination into the Constitution."
The crowd was absolutely roaring with support. There was a lot of great energy there. I ran into a cheerful Todd and grinning Cory and let them give their arms a break from holding their poster. From across the way, I saw Will. His smiling face and tall profile were easy to spot.
The first speaker was a very well spoken Republican Councilperson in DC. The main thrust of her speech was "don't alienate any of your allies." It was good for people to hear a conservative speaker. She was supportive of gay rights, though she refused to use the "m" word. At one point, the crowd interrupted her, which I thought was lame. I think they should have let her finish her speech and then reacted *after* she was done. The previously chirpy mistress of ceremonies chided us afterwards.
After that, there was a stream of speeches from an interesting mix of people. There was the latino trans advocate, the 13-year-old son of a lesbian couple and the Asian woman whose 8-year-old didn't want her to speak at the event because the child feared for his mom's safety. That really brought it home for me: an 8-year-old shouldn't have to worry about homophobia because his Mom wants to exercise her first amendment rights. Shocking.
Throughout the whole thing, the DC gay and lesbian liaison police unit kept us from becoming roadkill. (The cell phone using drivers zooming down Rhode Island Avenue probably wouldn't have noticed a few human speedbumps.) "Step to the curb, step to the curb" the stentorian cops repeated, mantra-like, until not a single pair of Doc Martins or Valentinos touched the blacktop.
I was just getting into the spirit of things when I checked the time. My schedule was oddly double-booked that evening with a rally *and* a birthday party. Steve was turning 51 and I wanted to be there for Henry. (I think this was my first "representative" attendance for Henry at a gathering like this.) Steve was his usual hilarious and wicked self. I hope he likes the wine I got him.
At the party, I visited with Kevin and Chris and Austin and some of Henry's other beach house pals. It was good to see them again. I also got to meet Alice, Steve's classmate from grad school. She was my Mom's age but still enjoyed it when I forced her to flirt with the bartender with me. She let out a girlish squeal when I encouraged her to offer a neighborly lick of bartender bicep.
After two white russians and three glasses of champagne, I decided this was a very enjoyable get together. The food at Mercury Grill was just as tasty and fresh as last year. I really enjoy that place. It was a pleasant party and I wouldn't have left the rally for just *any* little gathering. Very enjoyable.
The hangover quotient this morning was only a 3 out of 10. I'd drank 15 ounces of water before bed.
