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 Ggreg's
Rally
Queer Politics Aint What It Used To Be
My little bald friend, Ggreg, organized a rally in the Castro
so that members of the community could be together as the
results poured in. Historically, the intersection of 18th
and Castro streets has been the place where people go on historic
occasions. From candlelight vigils, to angry demonstrations,
from rallies for political action to parties for various celebrations,
the place has been the epicenter of queer life in the city.
Apparently, that is no longer the case given the low turn-out.
In year's past, word of mouth alone was enough to draw thousands
and now with email, posters, phone trees and flyers the community
could only muster a few hundred. The cops said the Mexican
Americans were celebrating a Mexican holiday with a big parade
down Mission Street, but I don't think that type of event
would compete with such an important queer event. A few people
said that they invited people who chose to stay home and watch
the results come in on television. I would like to believe
that many LGBTQQ folks chose to follow the results in smaller
groups in the comforting environment of home... but I can't
help thinking that much of the hedonism and self absorbtion
of the pre-aids gay world has swept the community once again.
I suppose only time will tell and with such an anti-gay agenda,
I'm sure to have plenty of opportunities to guage the gay
community's response or lack of one as the case may be.
Tech Issues & Low Morale
 Getting
the Uplink
There were a few technical difficulties early-on, but getting
a satelite internet connection on a truck parked in the middle
of an intersection set-up quickly seemed quite complicated.
Eventually, they sorted everything out and began working on
the sound check for the first speakers to take the impromtu
'stage' of the flat-bed.
Politicians & "Entertainment"
Local politicians made speaches. Our New district attorney,
Kamala Harris spoke. I was too far away and could reach her
through the crowd when she was finished. I wanted to ask her
to take down her campaign posters in my neighborhood because
it's been a year and is a violation of campaign law to leave
the up so long. [Update: since posting this online, the posters
have been removed within the week!] Connie Champaign sang,
as did several others. The most inspiring point of the evening
came when Carole Migden spoke. She represents SF in the Assembly
and since her days on the Board of Supervisors in SF, I've
always admired her humour and insight.
Low Morale Turns to Total Bummer
As the evening progressed, the morale of the crowd dipped
lower and lower as the media seemed hell-bent on annointing
their boy bush. Voting irregularities, registration fraud
linked to the Republican party, votes tossed out in Oregon,
Washington, New Mexico, Ohio, Michigan, and many other states
were barely mentioned. Even Carole Migden's rousing and enthusiastic
speach urging us to press on couldn't stop me from heading
home with a heavy heart and a deep concern for the tragic
trajectory of my country.
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