I just went to the film festival (gay and lesbian) and was just thinking how lucky we were to have such a well organized weekend with so many great films you just can't get anywhere else and have a casual time for the community to connect and see each other. I was telling Mark how difficult it was to go to my first festival because just crossing the street and going to fhe festival seemed like a huge risk.

Last year was my first PRIDE march (but that is another story). I only mention it because of the "God hates Fags" contingency that showed up. It is a painful experience to walk past people that are verbally attacking you. I was thinking about how lucky we are that in 12 years of the flilm festival, I don't remember anyone from this contingency showing up (can you guess where this is headed).

I went to the festival today and there was a lone man with a cross and a sign. My intial response was "Oh, lord" and I plucked up my courage to cross the street. When I crossed the street there were a couple of guys leaving the festival and we exchanged smiles and one of them shook their heads - resigned to the fact that this has become part of our environment (the sharks swim near the seals) I just smiled and said "They're everywhere" a bit annoyed that we couldn't be left in peace.

I thought about how much shame people had to overcome just to go to the festival. I thought about their courage.

I was wondering what was really in his heart. I almost walked up and asked him but thought about it when I was in the car going home.

(love)
If his heart was full of love and he really loved these people and was afraid that they were going to Hell. Then I have a lot of respect for that. That is Love in action (even if it is in my opinon misguided). It shows that he cares and he is really doing something about it.

(hate)
If his heart is full of hate and he just wants the people to feel bad ("Homosexuality is an abomination" as he said) and do as he says then he is nothing but an bully. It takes no courage to be a bully. It takes no courage to hate. If this the case then I have no respect for his perpetuation of hate.

I am talking about this calmly now but it really shook me up. Mostly because I feel like there should be a response but also it is hard to walk through something like that and not be effected by it. But how to respond in a way that would not escalate the hate? Just like you would challenge someone if they told a fag joke. It seemed like something that warranted a response.

I know there will be even more of these guys at the pride march in Sept.. I have an idea and if you have seen the Laramie Project, then you already know what it is. So when the time comes I may ask you to join me in an act of bravery and kindness.

Have a beautiful day. . .

-m

(side story)
I was at a peace march in Washington DC and had and amazing experience. As we were walking there was a "pro-war" audience and one of the hecklers started yelling stuff at us. The guy beside me started yelling back. They started heading towards each other. In a moment of clarity, as calmly as possible I put out my arms out and looked the guy beside me in the eyes with the heckler at my back and said "That is what he wants. He wants to make you angry. This is a peace march." and he looked at me nodded and turned and kept walking. It was a powerful moment.