I thought I'd air another crazy idea I've had for a while here on the Kos, since I haven't yet.
June is the month for weddings. Gay and lesbian people can't get married in 49 states. (Sorry Vermont, Massachusetts kicked your ass.) So what I've wondered is, in addition to promoting understanding one-on-one, fighting anti-gay bills, initiatives and constitutional amendments, etc., why don't a bunch of gay and lesbian people pair off (if already paired off, so much the better), go to courthouses June 1 and stand in line for marriage licenses? Then when they're turned down, go to the end of the line and requeue? Constantly, until June 30? Just don't take no for an answer and shut down an unresponsive bureaucracy enforcing clearly unconstitutional laws. I've always liked this idea; it's like Gandhi leading Indians to the sea to make their own salt and screw the British. Of course, should this actually ever occur in an organized way, I can only pray it won't be called the "Summer of Love." No, I don't have a better name for it, sorry.
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The same principle could apply to the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the military. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender? Bring friends to the armed forces recruiting center and enlist. Then when you've been through the process (assuming you don't
actually want to enlist, a very patriotic act) and are ready to sign on the dotted line and board the transport to Tikrit, TELL! Back out, and make some noise about why. Mad that your college or high school campus hasn't gotten rid of military recruiters to protest "don't ask, don't tell"? Bring over the Gay-Straight Alliance to help them spend those hours on campus. They're already way behind in military recruitment goals, help make it clear there's at least one easily fixed reason why.
Maybe I just hate amorphous "protest marches." March for what you want, where you want it. Bring lots of friends.
Alex
Choose Our President 2008