DC Anti-Gay Marriage Protest Bombs

Maggie Gallagher's wingnut allies among the preacher set in Washington, D.C., held a protest yesterday to protest the tentative approval of recognizing same-sex marriages from states where such marriages are legal. The organizers touted that they'd have a large turn out, but in reality, the event bordered on a farce. As the Washington Post is reporting, instead of thousands turning out, the protest gathered only about 150 attendees. With so many truly pressing problems in the country and in the black community in Washington, D.C., the event's failure to mobilize more than a token turn out hopefully demonstrates that public support is increasingly not behind these bigoted events. Here are some highlights:

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Freedom Plaza was transformed into an intersection of faith and protest yesterday as about 150 people rallied to denounce support for same-sex marriage in the District. "We have to say no to same-sex marriage," said the Rev. George Gilbert, pastor of Holy Trinity United Baptist Church in Northeast Washington, who concluded his remarks by leading a chant: "Not on our watch! Not on our watch! Not on our watch!"

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The Stand Up for Marriage rally was held across the street from the John A. Wilson Building, the seat of city government, and was organized by Bishop Harry Jackson Jr., pastor of Hope Christian Church of Beltsville. Jackson has held similar rallies across the country.

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The mayor said he thinks residents are much more worried about what's happening in their own homes than about same-sex marriage. "They don't have enough time in the day to discriminate or worry about someone else," he said. He reiterated his support of gay marriage. "Everybody is entitled to the same rights," he said.

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A number of gay rights activists attended the rally, standing to the side. Jeffrey Richards, president of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, took exception to the singing of "We Shall Overcome," an anthem of the civil rights movement, at the conclusion of the rally. He said the gay community is facing discrimination like that opposed by the civil rights movement of the 1950s and '60s. "It is about civil rights. It is about human rights. It is about what is fair," Richards said.