Asking for directions....
Saturday, 6th day, 8am
Voices heard loud and clear
Another ragged start to our day. No reason to go into the details. It’s part of our daily shtick. But by now, the group has collectively determined to be kind to one another. One of our troupe, Jan, leads us in “busercize” stretches (this morning to “I’m coming out”). We laugh again. We are of good cheer. The boys and girls are playing well together, dancing in the aisle. I wouldn’t be surprised if disco balls suddenly dropped from the luggage racks. This is a good sign. A Priscilla, Queen of the Desert moment.
We can smell the barn. Columbus, Akron and Pittsburgh, today, then nothing in front of us until DC. Hah! That’s quite a little statement unto itself. We did get good news about the rally in DC. It will be covered live (11am-4pm east coast time) on CSPAN 2. Very good news indeed.
Last night, Indianapolis taught us self-proclaimed teachers another lesson. A real break-through as to what our mission is truly. The Jesus MCC of Indianapolis, Indiana hosted a town meeting on Marriage Equality with local activists, couples and bus riders on the panel. A real dialog, and near the conclusion, one of our riders, Coyote Ron stood up and asked the question we should have been asking all along: “What message would YOU like us to take to DC?
There’s been a little bit too much of a us taking-the-truth-to-the-heartland attitude when the truth is already there, if only we will shut up long enough to listen. So today’s blog will start simply: the words of the congregation of the Jesus MCC of Indianapolis Indiana:
“Tell them to stop picking on us! Point out the pain they cause all to ALL kinds of people when they separate loved ones. We don’t want to live in an us-versus-them world.”
“We just want to lead normal, regular lives. Just let us live in peace.”
“God does not discriminate, so why do you?”
A request: “Put a face to our lives.” Tell them the people of corn belt USA deserve our rights.”
And from a postal worker from Muncie: “Just be yourselves. Tell them the same thing I told my son who rejected me. If you cut me out of your life, you are missing knowing a great person. We will strengthen the institution of marriage because we BELIEVE in the institution of marriage. We want to form strong relationships and FAMILIES. You should be helping, not hindering us.”
The bus has been our sanctuary, our aviary and institute of higher learning…on wheels.
And later today in Columbus, Ohio, from a straight mother activist; “I know what it is like to grow up with homophobia and I am determined that, with my children. it will stop with me. But as an ally, I get bashed too. So I would say to you, embrace your allies.”
Akron and Pittsburgh are still ahead of us today. I hope we remember to keep asking.
Voices heard loud and clear
Another ragged start to our day. No reason to go into the details. It’s part of our daily shtick. But by now, the group has collectively determined to be kind to one another. One of our troupe, Jan, leads us in “busercize” stretches (this morning to “I’m coming out”). We laugh again. We are of good cheer. The boys and girls are playing well together, dancing in the aisle. I wouldn’t be surprised if disco balls suddenly dropped from the luggage racks. This is a good sign. A Priscilla, Queen of the Desert moment.
We can smell the barn. Columbus, Akron and Pittsburgh, today, then nothing in front of us until DC. Hah! That’s quite a little statement unto itself. We did get good news about the rally in DC. It will be covered live (11am-4pm east coast time) on CSPAN 2. Very good news indeed.
Last night, Indianapolis taught us self-proclaimed teachers another lesson. A real break-through as to what our mission is truly. The Jesus MCC of Indianapolis, Indiana hosted a town meeting on Marriage Equality with local activists, couples and bus riders on the panel. A real dialog, and near the conclusion, one of our riders, Coyote Ron stood up and asked the question we should have been asking all along: “What message would YOU like us to take to DC?
There’s been a little bit too much of a us taking-the-truth-to-the-heartland attitude when the truth is already there, if only we will shut up long enough to listen. So today’s blog will start simply: the words of the congregation of the Jesus MCC of Indianapolis Indiana:
“Tell them to stop picking on us! Point out the pain they cause all to ALL kinds of people when they separate loved ones. We don’t want to live in an us-versus-them world.”
“We just want to lead normal, regular lives. Just let us live in peace.”
“God does not discriminate, so why do you?”
A request: “Put a face to our lives.” Tell them the people of corn belt USA deserve our rights.”
And from a postal worker from Muncie: “Just be yourselves. Tell them the same thing I told my son who rejected me. If you cut me out of your life, you are missing knowing a great person. We will strengthen the institution of marriage because we BELIEVE in the institution of marriage. We want to form strong relationships and FAMILIES. You should be helping, not hindering us.”
The bus has been our sanctuary, our aviary and institute of higher learning…on wheels.
And later today in Columbus, Ohio, from a straight mother activist; “I know what it is like to grow up with homophobia and I am determined that, with my children. it will stop with me. But as an ally, I get bashed too. So I would say to you, embrace your allies.”
Akron and Pittsburgh are still ahead of us today. I hope we remember to keep asking.
posted by Leslie Ewing at 8:37 PM
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