I was out exercising my first amendment right to free speech today, holding signs saying the following: “Vote Yes on 8″, “Prop 8=Religious Freedom”, and “Prop 8= Parental Rights.” A group of us met at a local parking lot, and then set out for 40 minute stints at two locations, a corner near two coffe shops at a busy intersection in the artsy midtown section of Sacramento, and an intersection right off Interstate 5 near a popular touristy area, known as Old Sacramento. While I, and to other couples were holding up signs, we received occasional honks, but it was the words, gestures, and complete anger and animosity of some which I will remember for a long time. Here is a list of what was yelled at either myself or the other couples holding signs today.
“Bigot”, “Piece of $#it”, “Homophobe”, “Hater”, “You don’t know what the hell your talking about, you have no clue, do you?”, “A-hole”, and, of course, the many varieties and forms of the F-word. Not at any time, did I or any one else with me say any hateful words, attack any group of people or person, or use our hands to make the one-fingered salute. We just simply stood with our signs, the language in the signs also with nothing hateful written on them.
In my efforts on the Yes on 8 campaign, I have generally been impressed with people who disagree with our cause, because most of them have been cordial, some even wishing me good luck. But as election day draws closer, emotions seem to be running higher, and many of the younger generation,those under 30, who are opposed to our campaign, are increasingly antagonistic, caustic, and hateful in their comments and treatment of me or others involved in the campaign. It is unfortunate that civility seems to be gone from campaigns. A thumbs down or a shake of the head “no” is all that someone needs to say to get their point across.
