The University News

Issue date: 11/17/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Derek Simons

Media Credit: Derek Simons

Media Credit: Derek Simons

Media Credit: Derek Simons

Hundreds of protestors, gay and straight alike, took to the streets Saturday
at the Country Club Plaza as part of
a nationwide protest against the recent passage of California's Proposition 8 and similar ballot measures in other states.

"March for Equal Rights" met at the J.C. Nichols fountain to oppose measures against laws in four states to illegalize or revoke rights associated with same-sex marriage.

Supporters of gay marriage filled the streets with multi-colored picket signs, banners and flags to communicate the three tenants of their peaceful campaign: educate, advocate and love.

Dan Winter, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kansas and Western Missouri, took the microphone first.

"When it's about equal rights for all Americans, people will listen to us," he said. "We need to educate our friends, we need to educate our foes… we need to counter hate with love."

Along with the ACLU, other organizations joined the movement, including the Kansas City Anti-Violence Project, the Kansas City Missouri School District, PROMO and the Lesbian and Gay Community Center of Kansas City.

State Sen. Jolie Justus, of Missouri's 10th District, came out to show her support.

"This holiday season, I need you all to go home and sit down with your families and tell them inequality for gays is not right," she said. "I need you to educate your families on LGBT [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender] issues, and I promise I will support you in Jefferson City."

After a series of speeches, campaigners clasped hands to sing songs of protest, including a rendition of "We Shall Overcome."

As snowflakes fell in the bitter-cold temperatures, the movement was not thwarted. Protestors assembled street-side with signs making such statements as "Can I vote on your marriage?" and "Hate is not a family value," receiving response with the honks of passersby.

UMKC student Kendra Konrady was in the crowd.

"I figured the more people that came out, the bigger the message… I think we're [working for] a basic human right," she said.

Adam Johnson, of Hanford, Ca., added they were not aiming to redefine the tradition of marriage, but wanted to spread awareness it is a civil right.

"I take it very personally when my home state votes in favor of something that would keep me from having what I've always wanted," Johnson said.

California's Proposition 8, often dubbed Proposition "(H)8" or "Hate," was passed during the Nov. 4 election cycle with roughly 52.2 percent of the popular vote in favor. Other measures were passed in Arizona, Arkansas and Florida.

In response, the LGBT movement organized rallies and protests to take place simultaneously on Nov. 15 in nearly every major U.S. city, drawing over 250,000 pledged supporters from various demographics and sexual orientations in what has been called the largest national protest since the Civil Rights Era.

gvandas@unews.com

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