Last week, Cheri, over at Blogthismom, wrote a lot about Prop 8 in CA. I read all of it. She sent me a link to JointheImpact.com where they were organizing a national protest to be held simultaneously in as many cities and towns across America as would participate. I went to the site and found out that Omaha had, indeed, organized to participate.

So- I contacted my friends to pass the word along and made my plans to participate. I worried a bit... this is the Midwest, after all, a pretty conservative place. I have had names and insults hurled at, me in my time. I have seen protesters at Pride rallies. I have had friends beaten up outside gay bars. But we have never flinched. I participate in Pride every year, I have marched in the parade since the first year- when I was still in the military and marched with a paper bag over my head! So- I wasn't about to sit this one out.

My partner and I drove to the campus of U.N.O. at 11:45 am on Saturday, and met one guy and his wife carrying a Rainbow flag and an American flag. I was already moved. But thought- well, maybe we will see 25 or 30 protesters. And I was sure there would be counter-protesters as well. Omaha, NE 11.15.08

But there were already a few people on the bridge as we made our way there with Tom and his wife. And the folks from Channel 7 were there. And soon we could see others making their way from their cars, 2 or 3 at a time, at first. We stood atop the walkway that crosses the main artery of Omaha, outside the campus of UNO, to the largest and most beautiful park in town, in front of a large Catholic church, where perhaps 5-600 cars per hour pass by on a Saturday morning. There was a blustery, icy wind blasting us, and a few flurries were about.

By noon there were already more than 25 people up there on that bridge- with signs and flags, and banners. People were still coming, a steady trickle of men, women and children, bundled to the teeth, smiling and greeting each other warmly.

At first, one or two cars every ten minutes would honk and wave. But by the time the crowd on the bridge grew to 150 strong(!), 2 to 3 cars a minute were honking loudly, drivers and passengers giving thumbs up and waving wildly. Once in a while someone would give a thumbs down, I saw one person flip the bird, and one guy hollered "fuck you faggots!" which was disheartening. But the overwhelming majority of people passing by were supportive, and that moved me to tears! And- no counter-protesters. If you want to know more about this issue and about why we protested. Head on over to http://blogthismom.blogspot.com/2008/11/why-protest.html

Consistency

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) -con⋅sist⋅en⋅cy   /kənˈsɪstənsi/ –noun, plural -cies. 1. a degree of density, firmness, viscosity, etc.: The liquid has the consistency of cream. 2. steadfast adherence to the same principles, course, form, etc.: There is consistency in his pattern of behavior. 3. agreement, harmony, or compatibility, esp. correspondence or uniformity among the parts of a complex thing: consistency of colors throughout the house. 4. the condition of cohering or holding together and retaining form; solidity or firmness. Also, con⋅sist⋅ence.

Well, if there is one thing you can say for me it is that I am consistent. I have had one post a month since June. Well, maybe, just maybe I will break the pattern this month.

There is something to be said for consistency. Consistent people are always right where you expect them to be. You won't get too many rude jolts from them, because their behavior doesn't vary much. Then again, some people might consider this boring. I dunno, I kinda like not getting too many rude jolts in life. They're not so good for your heart. What do you think? Boring? Or just plain reliable?