rustaman
07-24-2006, 03:02 PM
I was privileged to attend the March and Concert on Saturday. It was amazing. I flew in from California with my friend especially to do this. I felt excited with just a touch of fear of the unknown. I need not have worried. The love and peacefulness of those who attended and participated was pervasive. All along the March there were people who drove by honking and waving in support. That surprised me. We were in enemy territory. It was something I had not expected at all. But that is the power of love – it moves out and activates itself. There were a few non-supportive gestures - but they were few and far between. A woman stopped her car in front of me and yelled out, "Please apologize to everyone up there... I thought you were a group from Focus on the Family, and I was flipping everybody off...I'm from New Jersey!" She then had a few colorful things to say about James Dobson. So for those of you who were accidentally flipped off, please forgive her…she’s from New Jersey.
People carried signs - "Separate Church and Hate", "Put Christ Back In Christian". My personal favorite was Norman, the dog that goes "Moo" - he was born different. Check out www.borndifferent.org.
Focus on the Family was closed to the public and access was prohibited. The entrances were barricaded. Police cars and FOF vehicles were very visible. It was comical in a way- it was like they were circling their wagons to defend themselves against the march of the pagans. When we arrived at FOF we formed a human chain along the sidewalk spanning the entire front of the building. Many of us prayed. I prayed the Prayer of Protection from my church. “The Light of God surrounds us. The Love of God enfolds us. The Power of God protects us. The Presence of God watches over us. Wherever we are, God is. And all is well.”
Explorer Drive was completely blocked off in front of Focus on the Family for the event - it was like a huge street fair. I promised myself I was not going to cry here, but I could not help myself at the Matthew Shepard Foundation booth. That sweet, sweet young man. Then I had to buy Rev. Lars Clausen's new book - hot off the presses - "Straight into Gay America". Lars' beautiful face and clear blue eyes radiate compassion and honesty and integrity and just a twinkle of mischievousness. I loved meeting the guy. And I know I am going to love reading his book
Judy Shepard started off the evening by telling her heartfelt story and sharing her vision of acceptance and inclusion for GLBT people. Then she announced that she and Chad Allen would march off the stage, down the center aisle, followed by all the families who were present, to the gates of FOF and present them with a photo album of all the families who had participated in this event. I did not expect this, and all the people sitting around me were surprised and thrilled. Although initially resistant, FOF ultimately accepted the gift.
When they returned, Chad Allen took the stage. He was visibly touched by what had just happened. His strong, clear voice echoing in the deepening twilight, he challenged Mr. Dobson to see us as the children of God that we are. He used the biblical text in Matthew that says you can judge a good tree by its fruit. And then he pointed at us and proclaimed, "You are the good fruit!" All the fruits in the crowd cheered and whistled. Being from California, "the land of the fruits and the nuts", I cheered especially loud. And as it slowly sunk in, we became more aware of all the ways we manifest being the good fruit of the good tree in this world. I have to admit I shed a few more tears during the evening. What can I say… I'm an emotional kind of guy.
Billy Porter's performance was poetry. He soared from the heights to the depths of his heart and soul. He shared his touching story. He thrilled us with his music. It was very personal, and very special. My friend who came with me had walked during the performance over to the area where the police were standing. She said she could see that they were visibly moved by the concert, and she heard some of their discussions with references to "decency", "individual rights", and “people being allowed to be themselves". Who knows how many hearts were changed Saturday night. Love and the good fruits at work in the world.
I can only say again how privileged and how very moved I was to be a part of this event. Thank you to Soulforce. Thank you to Judy Shepard and Chad Allen. Thank you Gandhi and Martin Luther King and Jesus for guiding us and helping to make such an event possible. And especially thank you to Mel White. I got to shake his hand and look into his eyes. I love this man – for his honesty, for his courage, and for his willingness to let his light shine so brightly in the world. Brother you are a 10 out of 10. God bless us every one.
Moo – ing to you from California,
Russ
People carried signs - "Separate Church and Hate", "Put Christ Back In Christian". My personal favorite was Norman, the dog that goes "Moo" - he was born different. Check out www.borndifferent.org.
Focus on the Family was closed to the public and access was prohibited. The entrances were barricaded. Police cars and FOF vehicles were very visible. It was comical in a way- it was like they were circling their wagons to defend themselves against the march of the pagans. When we arrived at FOF we formed a human chain along the sidewalk spanning the entire front of the building. Many of us prayed. I prayed the Prayer of Protection from my church. “The Light of God surrounds us. The Love of God enfolds us. The Power of God protects us. The Presence of God watches over us. Wherever we are, God is. And all is well.”
Explorer Drive was completely blocked off in front of Focus on the Family for the event - it was like a huge street fair. I promised myself I was not going to cry here, but I could not help myself at the Matthew Shepard Foundation booth. That sweet, sweet young man. Then I had to buy Rev. Lars Clausen's new book - hot off the presses - "Straight into Gay America". Lars' beautiful face and clear blue eyes radiate compassion and honesty and integrity and just a twinkle of mischievousness. I loved meeting the guy. And I know I am going to love reading his book
Judy Shepard started off the evening by telling her heartfelt story and sharing her vision of acceptance and inclusion for GLBT people. Then she announced that she and Chad Allen would march off the stage, down the center aisle, followed by all the families who were present, to the gates of FOF and present them with a photo album of all the families who had participated in this event. I did not expect this, and all the people sitting around me were surprised and thrilled. Although initially resistant, FOF ultimately accepted the gift.
When they returned, Chad Allen took the stage. He was visibly touched by what had just happened. His strong, clear voice echoing in the deepening twilight, he challenged Mr. Dobson to see us as the children of God that we are. He used the biblical text in Matthew that says you can judge a good tree by its fruit. And then he pointed at us and proclaimed, "You are the good fruit!" All the fruits in the crowd cheered and whistled. Being from California, "the land of the fruits and the nuts", I cheered especially loud. And as it slowly sunk in, we became more aware of all the ways we manifest being the good fruit of the good tree in this world. I have to admit I shed a few more tears during the evening. What can I say… I'm an emotional kind of guy.
Billy Porter's performance was poetry. He soared from the heights to the depths of his heart and soul. He shared his touching story. He thrilled us with his music. It was very personal, and very special. My friend who came with me had walked during the performance over to the area where the police were standing. She said she could see that they were visibly moved by the concert, and she heard some of their discussions with references to "decency", "individual rights", and “people being allowed to be themselves". Who knows how many hearts were changed Saturday night. Love and the good fruits at work in the world.
I can only say again how privileged and how very moved I was to be a part of this event. Thank you to Soulforce. Thank you to Judy Shepard and Chad Allen. Thank you Gandhi and Martin Luther King and Jesus for guiding us and helping to make such an event possible. And especially thank you to Mel White. I got to shake his hand and look into his eyes. I love this man – for his honesty, for his courage, and for his willingness to let his light shine so brightly in the world. Brother you are a 10 out of 10. God bless us every one.
Moo – ing to you from California,
Russ