It’s no secret that United States Vice President and Indiana’s first semi-sentient wood-based human hate-factory Michael Richard Pence hates people who aren’t heterosexual. He’s not sorry about his homophobic hatred, and he’s not particularly quiet about it. Perhaps that blind bigotry helped him forget his superbly gay St. Patrick’s Day experience in Savannah.
Perhaps that’s why he had the gall to accept an invitation to speak in Columbus, Ohio, on the eve of the city’s annual Pride celebration. Or maybe Jesus told him to go. Either way, Columbus stepped up.
Ohioans take our hospitality seriously (trust me, I’m a native), so of course Pence was given a warm welcome...complete with ingenious signs like this one, which wins every award for Best Use of “Hoosier” To Insult A Republican, which, of course, is not a real award, but should be.
Heavily attended by members of the LGBTQ community and their allies, the rally featured progressive politicians and candidates, drag queens, and GOP impersonators; estimates say anywhere from 500 to over 1000 super awesome Ohioans rallied under the rainbow. How many people came to the Pence event? About 200, many of whom arrived late.
Did I mention the hotel hosting Pence was on Gay Street? Yes, really.
Inside the America First event, Pence spewed the bland talking points one might expect, and made sure to bash democratic Senator Sherrod Brown while gushing about GOP garbage fires like Senator Rob Portman and House Rep. Jim Renacci.
Pence’s poorly-attended speech was repeatedly interrupted by liberal hecklers from minute one. They spoke out about children being snatched from their parents at the southern border, thanks to Jeff Sessions’ hateful policies, and about LGBTQ rights.
The resistance protestors were clever, sneaking in protest signs rightfully declaring that “love is love,” and decrying the “tax cut scam.” Painted upon foldable, concealable fabric, rather than unyielding and super-obvious poster board, the signs must have been easy to tuck into pockets and purses, or even undergarments. Brilliant.
The brave resisters faced down red-hatters who tried to snatch their signs away and shoved them, all while being drowned out by chants of "USA! USA!"
Renaissance Hotel security staff and Columbus police officers quickly rushed to move them out. One Twitter user, claiming to be one of the protesters, took to the platform to share her experience.
Let’s hear that again, for the folks in the back:
“They aren't wearing brown shirts yet but they definitely wanted to hurt us.”
True to his wooden nature, Pence just kept on going, barely acknowledging the protesters beyond one mild dig about how you “gotta love Ohio.”
Watch the full speech here, if you insist on torturing yourself.