Rally at the Eagle was amazing

Just a quickie post – I’ll post a long one tomorrow.

Amazing rally today down at the Eagle.  There was probably around 4-500 people there, with 30 folks from UUCA and a couple from UUMAN.  Rev. Keller mentioned from the pulpit during both services about the rally, and to stop by the Interweave table to find out more.  A good fiveish people came from just hearing about it at the service.  I hit up all my UU buddies on facebook, the interweave group, the 20s/30s group, etc., trying to get people to come, and so many did from our group.  Rev. David showed up, collar and all (I was worried there for a moment we became Catholic) and he was invited to go up and speak (and he did so, and it was great.)

It was just…amazing…standing in that crowd, holding up the huge signs I made, all Standing on the Side of Love themed.  I whipped together six of them today after the service but before the rally, all on the orange colored posterboard.  (I felt like a rabid UT fan buying those at Sam Flax art store today, but the color does stand out.)  I’m sure folks will be seeing pictures of these soon – One of the other attendees, I believe, is writing up a post for the Standing On The Side Of Love Campaign folk.  I’ve already done my part there.  If you look around hard enough, you can find some photos of these signs up already.

I’ll post more coherent thoughts tomorrow.  It was just pretty awesome to be there tonight.

Why I love my faith.

My minister plans on going to join us at the rally tomorrow.

I have fear in my heart tonight.

I have fear in my heart right now, due to the Atlanta police department and their stonewallesque raid on the eagle last night.  I feel less safe because of the apd, who’d rather crack down on us queers rather than people murdering and mugging college students five miles away.  What is that?  Do I deserve to be hunted worse than a murderer because I like boys and not girls?

I went down to the eagle, and people are rightfully pissed.  They want to stand up.  But there’s an undercurrent of fear in everyone right now.  Honest to god, not to make light, but I feel as though I’ve been a victim of terrorism.  I feel some of the same thoughts as I did eight years ago today.  Am I safe?  Will I be able to live my life free from fear again?  How could it happen here?  What did we do to deserve this?  What can I do about it?

And to think the police did it this time.

I feel fear tonight.
I feel outrage tonight.

Neither good.  Neither do I like feeling.  Its easy to want the outrage to win out.  Anger over fear.  There’s not much worse than fear.  But anger can be worse to me.

There is no forgiveness in my heart right now and that makes me even angrier.  There is no understanding in my heart right now and that makes me even angrier.

I’ve never been to the eagle before tonight.  I’ve neglected the gay side of me for too long, letting the corporate side of me dominate my life.  No more.

For those unsure what I’m talking about, google “eagle atlanta police” and check out the news stories.