Osmond Family vs. Marriage Equality.

So the subtitle to the blog mentions food, hobbies, and home improvement which so far I've included. Now it's finally time to throw in the last "random rants" category. Though this is more of a report than a rant. Still I promise not to make this blog too political. This is just something that affects us personally and we would like to share it.

So members of the Osmond family decided to put together a performance at the Capital Rotunda to "Celebrate Marriage" on March 26th as the Supreme Court of the United States hear the Prop 8 and DOMA cases. They were supporting "traditional" marriage and against same sex marriage. A silent protest was very quickly organized by local activists and through the magic of social media hundreds showed up including Michael and myself. As we started it was clear that we easily matched the anti-gay attendees in number. As time went on more and more showed up. Michael Aaron of Q Salt Lake estimated 500 protesters versus 300 of the normal attendees. Below are some of the pictures we took while there.

Downstairs preparing. 

People filing in and taking up 3 floors.

At this point there were a lot of empty chairs which would soon fill up. More on our side would also appear however.

More people coming in through the front.

An anonymous man dressed up as a disgruntled gentleman had my favorite sign: "Harrumph!"

And there's my handsome life partner who just may someday be legally my husband.

And here I am up on the third floor.

 

A pair whom I would assume are a couple dressed up in coordinated shirts and ties (because of HRC's campaign to display red for love a lot chose to wear red for this event). As the event began one donned a great equality mouse head. 

Here's a closer shot of the equality mouse. At this point I realized I should have shown up in drag with something clever on a sign like "All you need is love... and a lot o' hairspray." 

Mormons get a lot of hate from the LGBT community. It's good to see pro-marriage equality Mormons show their presence especially with a LDS-centric event.

The seats are filled up but they're thoroughly surrounded with our (mostly) silent protesting glares. 

Our silence broke at the end of the performance after their closing prayer. "Marriage Equality Now! Marriage Equality Now!" They were supposed to do one or two more songs but we were too loud. Dominique who helped organize the protest spoke with the Osmonds and was told someone pulled the plug on the speakers. This seemed disapointing but someone later said they talked with the sound technician and HE turned it off. Our chanting was being picked up by the speakers so he turned it off to prevent feedback and popping speakers. 

  

Our chants continued as we paraded down through the rotunda and down the front steps of the Capital Building.

We cooperated with security every step of the way.