By Sabrina Nan Miller

To start a movement, first you must learn the chant. It begins by the leader asking, “What do we want?” You respond, “Equal rights!” They ask, “When do we want them?” Your reply, “Now!” Do you have it down, lets practice. What do we want? (Are you thinking “equal rights”?) When do we want them? (Are you thinking “now!”?) It starts the flow of our group mentality. We are a group, a collective of persons coming together repeating these words in unison. Imagine them inside of your head and you can become a part of this group as well.

So why did you have to learn this chant? You are to attend a rally against the passing of Proposition 8. Let’s clarify exactly what we are rallying against. In May of this year California State Supreme Court ruled that denying same-sex couples the right to marry was illegal. After opening this door, many couples, including a great deal of celebrities were wed in California. Months later, Proposition 8, a proposal to ban same-sex marriages, was placed on California’s election ballot. Even after a great deal of celebrity endorsement Prop 8 passes. Causing re-illegalzation of same-sex marriage and leaving those already wed in a grey area, unsure what will become of their marriages.

Twelve days later over a million queer people and their allies rallied around the United States for equality. In New York City that included a boy named Dan who we meet on the street a couple blocks away from City Hall. Dan is just one of those boys you spot from afar. He has rainbow beads, and his pink triangle flag, and he wears his queerness out, proud, and youthful. After finding our way, we keep Dan for a good while, entering City Hall Park about an hour before the rally. Then a true sense of collective begins to grow. In one section of the park, a group of organizers with yellow bands around their arms have a meeting. On the other side, a newswoman wearing a pale pink shirt is interviewing two men in tuxedos. They are expressing their love for one another and their dreams of marriage. Another woman in a cape stops us to say that she shall be performing handfasting, a pagan marriage ceremony that could last only as long as you predetermine it to.

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