Gay Pride and Free Speech

[suzer1013]

I read an article in Atlanta's Daily Report this morning about how the City of Atlanta is trying to pass a local ordinance that will strictly regulate protesters at certain events. The ordinance was spurred by difficulties with some protesters at Atlanta Pride in the past few years. I don't have the language of the ordinance handy, but it seems protesters would be restricted to certain areas. They already are not allowed in the park during Pride (as it is arguably a quasi-private event) and are relegated to the sidewalks outside the park. Apparently, in the past, anti-gay protesters have entered the park with bullhorns, proselytizing to people, wearing signs with hate speech, etc. Those who have entered the park were arrested (much like our Equality Riders when they entered "private" property).

I know that during the Republican National Convention in NYC a few years ago, protesters were confined to certain "free speech zones."

My first take on the situation was, "if the Republicans can do it, why can't we?" However, there are free speech concerns here. If Soulforce wants to protest an anti-gay event, and we were restricted to a "free speech zone" where we would basically have no impact, how would we feel? The ACLU has come down on the side of the anti-gay protesters in this instance, as they probably should. But I still can't help but feel uncomfortable with anti-gay protesters at Pride events -- perhaps it's because it is personal to me. Much like it would be if I were black and the Klan wanted to stage a protest at the MLK center.

At the same time, there is a competing interest, in my opinion, in keeping GLBT people safe from hate speech and, potentially, hate crimes. I have a strong "mother hen" type concern for my GLBT brothers and sisters, and I don't want them to suffer any more religious bigotry than we already have.

This is an issue I am torn on. Anyone have any opinions to share?

Susan

[u-dog]

I read an article in Atlanta's Daily Report this morning about how the City of Atlanta is trying to pass a local ordinance that will strictly regulate protesters at certain events. The ordinance was spurred by difficulties with some protesters at Atlanta Pride in the past few years. I don't have the language of the ordinance handy, but it seems protesters would be restricted to certain areas. They already are not allowed in the park during Pride (as it is arguably a quasi-private event) and are relegated to the sidewalks outside the park. Apparently, in the past, anti-gay protesters have entered the park with bullhorns, proselytizing to people, wearing signs with hate speech, etc. Those who have entered the park were arrested (much like our Equality Riders when they entered "private" property).

I know that during the Republican National Convention in NYC a few years ago, protesters were confined to certain "free speech zones."

My first take on the situation was, "if the Republicans can do it, why can't we?" However, there are free speech concerns here. If Soulforce wants to protest an anti-gay event, and we were restricted to a "free speech zone" where we would basically have no impact, how would we feel? The ACLU has come down on the side of the anti-gay protesters in this instance, as they probably should. But I still can't help but feel uncomfortable with anti-gay protesters at Pride events -- perhaps it's because it is personal to me. Much like it would be if I were black and the Klan wanted to stage a protest at the MLK center.

At the same time, there is a competing interest, in my opinion, in keeping GLBT people safe from hate speech and, potentially, hate crimes. I have a strong "mother hen" type concern for my GLBT brothers and sisters, and I don't want them to suffer any more religious bigotry than we already have.

This is an issue I am torn on. Anyone have any opinions to share?

Susan


It seems to me that the "state" (ie public officials and police) have a legitimate security interest in keeping competing demonstrations seperate from one another in order to lessen the potential for physical violence.

As long as anti-gay groups have the same right to organize a "shame parade" as Gay groups do to organize a "Pride Parade" and protests are merely "managed" and not throttled. I don't see a problem.

BTW : 30,000 + people showed up for Pride in a certain midwestern city on saturday. The largest crowd ever.

[Britt.]

That's how they handle them at pride here. The protesters aren't allowed on our side of the street. We aren't allowed on theirs. So it's basically equal. I imagine if 4 or 5 anti-gay protesters were allowed to mingle & start shit w/ several hundred glbt people, half of whom are loaded by noon, there would be an element of risk. It's a security issue. Given that, & that both groups basically have the same limits, I'm glad the cops do it that way here.