Get anti-gay hate out of our state

PROVIDENCE, R.I.--When the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), a New Jersey-based organization bent on preventing marriage equality, came to Providence for a stop on its "Summer for Marriage Tour 2010" at the statehouse on July 18, they were met with angry opposition.

The 300 anti-marriage equality demonstrators, chanting "One man, one woman," were greeted by 200 angry LGBT activists organized by Queer Action Rhode Island (QuARI), along with several area groups who marched with the message "Get your hate out of our state!"

Tensions continued to rise as the content of the NOM rally became audible. "If there is one self-evident truth, it is that marriage was designed for one man and one woman, the primary goal of which is the reproduction of children," NOM President Brian Brown bellowed from the podium. Several members of Queer Rising New York stormed the podium, risking arrest.

LGBT activists marched their way to the steps overlooking the rally for what was intended to be a silent vigil, but that proved to be unsustainable as the contents of the NOM rally continued to grate on the patience of the counterdemonstrators.

The rally comes six months before the next legislative session begins, with a new governor and an openly gay speaker of the house. Proponents of marriage equality are optimistic about the passage of a bill that would finally give LGBT Rhode Islanders the right to marry, but as previous victories in Rhode Island have shown, activists must continue to demand their civil rights.