We're here. We're queer. We're taking over Sunset!

I went out tonight to perform my civic duty as an extra in the No on Prop 8 post election rally. So many things are swirling through my brain and I am certain I can't make much sense of it all, but I will dutifully vomit it all on the page and let you make the journey with me.

I went to West Hollywood tonight with my friend Ellys. Lyle couldn't go, too depressed.

I expected nothing. What can a post election rally do for me? It can't heal me, I am too pissed off. It isn't going to teach me anything new, I sat all day in front of the computer today.

But I can do something. I can show up. I can be the 2001st person in a sea of 3000 people so that the news helicopter will take our pictures and tell everyone who watches that what has happened is wrong.

So I showed up.

True to form, the West Hollywood sheriff's department was very efficient, organized and polite. (Thank you!!!) And I think we all knew going in to this that at some point the protesters would take over the intersection of Santa Monica and San Vicente.

Seen in the crowd, Rikki Lake and Chastity Bono.

Trust me, that is Chastity Bono in the brown, in the center, at the bottom of the picture.

After the speeches the crowd surged towards the boulevard. The street was closed off and a police car was just ahead on Santa Monica to escort the "angry mob" on a little tour and bring them back. Exercising your first amendment and working off some steam. All planned nice and tidy.
But the mob was pissed and took off straight up San Vicente towards Sunset Blvd. (audible gasp) SHOCK!!!

As we marched down Sunset I could hear inside my twisted mind, "We're here! We're Queer! We taking over Sunset!" That's not what was actually said. But c'mon, protesting for equality in West Hollywood?

Yeah! Let's trash our own neighborhood! Let's piss off and inconvenience everyone who already supports us! But the people in the cars and the people on the street were amazingly supportive. Honking, waving, shouting and holding out their "No on 8" signs.

The crowd was chanting STOP THE HATE! angrily. Ironically. Then someone in a car yelled "Fag!" at someone and was suddenly surrounded. I could see how easily that car could have been rolled over. But wasn't. STOP THE HATE, EXCEPT FOR THAT ASSHOLE!

We marched all the way down Sunset Blvd to Crescent Heights. The leading police escort turned down and the group rebelled. Stopping traffic at another major intersection and refusing to budge.

Most of the group finally followed. One faction peeled off and went to Hollywood & Highland. I went with the group who didn't wear their hiking shoes, towards home.

The news is making all sorts of sensationalistic claims. That the protest turned violent. ONE protester didn't do exactly as the LAPD shouted and was summarily beaten to the pavement by three police officers.

I don't know where all this is headed.

I'm tired.

I cried tonight in the middle of a street.

I want my life back.

I want my rights back.

On the right, iconic hotel Chateau Marmont.
On the left, ironic billboard states, "As History Unfolds, Don't Miss a Minute."

Tomorrow there is to be a press conference to confront the Mormon leadership on all the lies and hate they spread during this ugly campaign. It is a t 2:00 at the Mormon Temple on Santa Monica near Westwood.

I'll be there.