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In November 2003 the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ignited a nationwide debate over same-sex marriage when it declared the state’s ban on gay marriage unconstitutional. The ensuing battle has included fights in Congress over a federal marriage amendment that would define marriage as the union of a man and a woman; a spate of same-sex wedding ceremonies (in some cases in violation of state laws); and the passage of numerous state constitutional amendments banning gay marriage. On May 15th2008 California became the first state to follow in Massachusetts’ footsteps when the California Supreme Court struck down a statewide ban on same-sex marriage. Here in the state of Pennsylvania we continue the fight. I recently had the pleasure of meeting one of those fighters…

RALLY AROUND OUR RIGHTS

Holly Alden

I go back to the 1960’s for my passion about rallies. I hadn’t been to a one since Washington D.C. in the 1990’s when I rallied for Gay Rights. When I heard about the protest in our state’s capitol against the Marriage Protection Amendment, soon to be voted on, I felt that old feeling of empowerment and exercising my right of free speech. It’s always an uplifting experience to join with mostly strangers who bond instantly with each other in mutual disgust, outrage and commitment to higher principles of living in community with others. We are supposed to be a free people with the same rights as everyone else. Fortunately, in this country, we get to fight for these rights without the use of guns and bombs. Unfortunately, we have to do this to assure our rights are secured.
It was a brilliant sunny day May 5th, 2008 in Harrisburg PA. I had only just found out about this event so friends were not available. I was on my own, but I knew from my past rallies that I would find comrades at first contact and would not be alone. So, I eagerly prepared with a bag lunch, water and extra sweatshirt. I drove to the Capitol building parked and attended the general meeting given my Equality Advocates of PA instructing us on what the Amendment would mean for the citizens of PA, our freedom, welfare and happiness whether gay or straight. We were also coached on how to behave and where we could stand to let our voices be heard.
Several hundred of us met inside the Capitol on the steps leading to the second floor. We filled the steps and in between the Senators, Representatives, clergy, and organizers speeches we chanted as a group “STOP THAT BILL”. We also sang rally songs from the inspiring times of Martin Luther King like ‘We Shall Overcome’ and others. We were told that our State Representatives, who were in their meeting about the Amendment, could hear us. Afterward, we talked and many of us exchanged e-mail addresses and phone numbers. Then we gradually went our separate ways to start our journey home.
The next week I learned that the Marriage Protection Amendment was voted down in the committee. Which was a victory for us, because it was put on a long list and would not be a top priority for our State Governments review. I feel more appreciation for our governmental process in this democratic country and clarity on what my citizenship requires in order to keep equality in our Nation a reality.

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