The View From Your Protest: Denver

A reader writes:

The news from Denver is that gays in Denver get it. We really get it. I just came from the "protest" rally where a crowd of 3,000 to 5,000 people gathered in support of gay marriage. Speakers stood on the same steps that Barack Obama used to address a crowd of over 100,000 people just a few weeks ago. The thing that stood out to me is how normal everyone looked. I cannot ever remember seeing that many people people who were so well groomed, polite and mainstream. I would estimate that 50% of the crowd were 20 somethings. The biggest difference I see in the 20 somethings is that they accept themselves so much more than my generation and therefore don't feel a need to act out.

The rest of the crowd represented every age group and demographic. I walked through the entire crowd just watching the people: everyone was peaceful, laughing, enjoying a perfect autumn day. The crowd seemed very similar to the crowd that came out for Obama recently, except they were better behaved, and were having more fun.

The protest signs were void of any hateful language. Every speaker was positive. I never heard any hateful remarks by anyone on the stage on in the crowd. The few Christians who did show up were barely noticed.   A black man yelled out to the crowd as they entered the grassy front to Denver's grand city and county building, "What about me, what if I married a Martian?  Would that be OK?  Someone talk to me. Come on, talk to me." No one yelled back, no one paid attention.