San Francisco Gays Rally for Iran’s Democracy
June 18, 5 – 6 PM, Harvey Milk Plaza
June 18, 5 – 6 PM, Harvey Milk Plaza
I strongly encourage Bay Area GayPatriot readers to join leftie blogger Michael Petrelis in rallying today, Thursday, June 18, 2009, from 5-6 PM at Harvey Milk Plaza in “friendship and solidarity with the democratic-loving people of Iran.” It would be great to have some conservative gays there both to show our support for people suffering under the hand of an oppressive Islamofascist state and to express our gratitude to Petrelis for being such an advocate for our fellows in Iran. And he’s singled out conservatives who speak out for gay people.
This is not the first time Petrelis has organized on behalf of Iranian gays. He has staged protests before at Harvey Milk Plaza “over Iran’s hanging of two gay teenagers in Mashad in 2005.” He reminds participants to wear green. Let’s make sure American gay conservatives stand together with our San Francisco liberal brethren on behalf of all Iranians, but particularly our gay fellows, suffering under the lash of a brutal tyranny.
Something tells me HRC will not be sending a representative. I wonder if any gay group will.
I won’t be able to trek up to the Bay Area, but will be wearing green all day to show my solidarity with the Iranian people. Please do the same.
16 Comments
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Tch, very well.
Comment by Robbie — June 18, 2009 @ 2:24 am - June 18, 2009
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make it to SF in time.
Comment by DaveO — June 18, 2009 @ 2:40 am - June 18, 2009
I choose to support all those suffering in Iran without singling out any group as more deserving.
Comment by Ignatius — June 18, 2009 @ 7:42 am - June 18, 2009
GPW, I’ll see what I can do. May need to re-arrange my schedule a little; can’t promise anything.
Comment by ILoveCapitalism — June 18, 2009 @ 9:39 am - June 18, 2009
Petrelis is usually a tool and a boob, but at least he’s not sipping the SnObama Kool-Aid this time. Kudos, Michael, for truly being “bipartisan” in this effort.
PS – I wore green yesterday, as did a number of people in my office. Today I’m wearing blue and khaki, so I guess it combines to make green.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — June 18, 2009 @ 10:31 am - June 18, 2009
That’s a beautiful sentiment. And how very fortunate are Petrelis and GPW, then, to be in your company, as they might appear to feel likewise! (For GPW’s view: kindly read his opening, underlined quotation of Petrelis, the first 60% or so of his second sentence, the first 60% or so of his seventh sentence, and his penultimate sentence. His other sentences do concentrate on the gay aspect; but not in a way that contradicts or denies GPW’s support of the whole Iranian people.)
Comment by ILoveCapitalism — June 18, 2009 @ 10:36 am - June 18, 2009
Emphasis added for reading comprehension. My solidarity with Iranians who are striving for change doesn’t emphasize any particular group; my sexual orientation doesn’t determine my sympathies and doesn’t direct my energies. Women, children, the handicapped, dissidents, writers, etc. equally share my concern. I am against radical Islam not because it is anti-gay but because it is anti-reason. I leave identity politics to others.
Comment by Ignatius — June 18, 2009 @ 12:53 pm - June 18, 2009
Emphasis added for elementary reading comprehension.
Or, to say it in your own terms:
Again, emphasis added for elementary-level reading comprehension.
Comment by ILoveCapitalism — June 18, 2009 @ 1:25 pm - June 18, 2009
GPW, looks like I will be able to get into town. Will let you know what it’s like.
Comment by ILoveCapitalism — June 18, 2009 @ 1:33 pm - June 18, 2009
After the rally, stop by the Eureka Valley Rec Center and watch the finals of the San Francisco Gay Baskeball Association league beginning at 7pm. Greg the gay sportscaster will be handing out player awards and CheerSF will be there, too. Oh, and my team is in the finals! http://www.sfgba.com
Comment by Niall — June 18, 2009 @ 2:51 pm - June 18, 2009
Niall, will you be going to the rally or are you just using this to promote you little basketball game?
Unfortunately here in Los Angeles a certain basketball team has gotten a lot more press coverage than Iranian protests which have also occurred here.
There is a time and place for sports, and this is neither.
Comment by Leah — June 18, 2009 @ 3:17 pm - June 18, 2009
Just as after 9/11, some of the best actions we can take are to revel in the freedoms we enjoy such as the freedom to enjoy a basketball game — something an Islamic fascist would like no better than to take away from us. Enjoying our lives doesn’t necessarily mean we aren’t concerned and re. this particular enemy, is a particularly good form of protest. Let’s not give Ahmadinejad the satisfaction of determining a single aspect of our lives.
Comment by Ignatius — June 18, 2009 @ 3:53 pm - June 18, 2009
Just using it to shamelessly promote my “little” basketball game. If you have a problem that take it up with the moderator who runs this site.
Comment by Niall — June 18, 2009 @ 6:35 pm - June 18, 2009
Leah, my apologies for overreacting to your comment. Obviously the rally is way more important than any basketball game and I hope it is a success. Best to you.
Comment by Niall — June 18, 2009 @ 6:54 pm - June 18, 2009
Niall, I can’t stay in SF – I’m just going for the rally, 5-6 – but maybe I’ll catch you guys another time.
Comment by ILoveCapitalism — June 18, 2009 @ 7:05 pm - June 18, 2009
Hmmm….I actually don’t have anything green except for boxers. I would have been there in spirit though.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — June 18, 2009 @ 9:48 pm - June 18, 2009