An Awakening

I never in my life participated in a protest rally before but something told me not to miss this one.

I thought it would be depressing. The government and many people in society are still telling us that we’re inferior and don’t deserve the same rights as everyone else and then Prop 8 in liberal California passed. But the mood was celebratory.

It was a big turnout by Phoenix standards (4000), skewed young, gay and straight, all races and colors and creeds. My daughter and I walked in the hot Phoenix afternoon sun for a greater distance than I’ve walked in a long time with people I have never met before and I found myself feeling cautiously optimistic.

Something was different about this crowd. My generation may have dreamt it but the next generation sees it. No talk about getting civil rights. This crowd wanted to know where their civil rights are. There was a sense of determination; a fire in the belly. These people are not willing to live with the status quo anymore.

I asked myself the questions probably most everyone else in the crowd was asking. Are we witnessing history? Is Prop 8 a tipping point? The next generation’s Stonewall? Are we seeing a changing of the guard with the next generation now leading the way?

Afterwards I realize I’m not sad or bitter or angry anymore. I’m ready to do whatever needs to be done. And a lot of other people are ready, too. Know hope.