Protesting & Your emotions

[Jennifer5]

To you, what is protesting/advocating?

Everyone protests because they believe in the cause, but it's more than that for me at least.

Is protesting a passion? It is stressful for you, or do you find it uplifting and inspiring?

I'm asking because I find that I am far more passionate about GLBT rights when I'm having a really bad day. Don't get me wrong, it does not just turn on and off, but some days takes over my entire mind. I think it's some kind of refuge for me.

So, How do YOU feel about protesting and your fight for GLBT rights?

[Daniel]

Yes! I think so. When I protested in front of the Mormon Temple re Prop 8 here in NYC, it was emotional to be sure. Did that emotion get out of hand? No. In fact, the whole thing was not only fun (this may sounds strange), but uplifting. It was good to actually DO something and not sit around thinking and worrying about it.

So- what happened?

The NYTimes published a full page ad by Mormon and conservatives decrying the protests against them.

http://www.towleroad.com/2008/12/becket-fund-lau.html

Oh....and isn't that rich? Those who have advocated to the loss of our rights are claiming that they are the victim?

I don't think so.

Hmmm. I think we are hitting the mark, getting our message across, being heard.

Do I find protesting stressful? Not at all. Makes me feel alive.

Now. Could one get addicted to this kind of thing? Well....yeah! It's hard to live with that kind of high energy all the time.

There is something to be said for being able to be quiet and peaceful. Afer all, isn't that what we are working for?

[BruceChris]

Some protests are a celebration of some kind, and some times it's 'cause your mad as hell. It's always nice when your friends are around, and you can all agree that you're on the right side, and the other guy is not.

You've got to go to some protests yourself when you get the chance. Also, let's hear what the other people here have to say.

Say, can you play that guitar?

Bruce Chris

[Jennifer5]

Originally Posted by BruceChris

Some protests are a celebration of some kind, and some times it's 'cause your mad as hell. It's always nice when your friends are around, and you can all agree that you're on the right side, and the other guy is not.

You've got to go to some protests yourself when you get the chance. Also, let's hear what the other people here have to say.

Say, can you play that guitar?

Bruce Chris

I went to both of the Focus on the Family protests in Colorado Springs, 2005 & 2006 (I think).

No, I can't play the guitar... It's my brothers.

[christa08]

I have never been to a protest myself but I am inspired by people who do it (as long as it's for the right cause of course )

I would very much enjoy participating in one if one was held here in Denver.

[Gennee]

Protests are a way to speak my mind public about an issue that's important. It opens me up to the next step of the work at hand. The protests in Calif. after the approval of Prop 8 is an example. People have been mobilized to work towards undoing this amendment.

In the few times that I've protested, I found it invigorating. No stress at all. It's a matter of working for the things that you believe in.

Gennee

[Gregory_de_Bois]

I have found, in the very limited number of protests I've done, that yes, there is an energy of emotions that is released, and more so on bad days. I think we recognize something as wrong and long for justice. We desire an intercessor to make things right. As the Bible says, we are the Body of Christ in the world. It is our job to bring that justice, I think that is why there is such emotion in us.

[tdogg]

Protesting for me was a feel good action. It felt good to hold my hand-made sign, shout our words and move as one group. It felt good when people would drive by and honk or wave in support. It felt good when those riding bikes would join us, thumbs up and ring their bicycle 'bells'.

The media coverage was lacking (except for FOX, they love to be there) and I'm not sure if we really did anything outside of feeling good ourselves. But if that's all we did, it was worth it. I'll continue to participate whenever I can.

I believe it will take all actions to progress. But the most important thing is the ground movement, reaching out to others, having that dialogue and being out. That is at least part of what protesting is all about. Being out and proud and showing the opposition we aren't going away, we aren't shuffling back into the closet. Plus, I'm claustrophobic so the closet was never really comfortable for me!