Tuesday, May 26, 2009

The Scene


Anyone who knows me knows where I stand on Prop 8. If you don't, read here and here.







So when the California Supreme Court announced that they were upholding Prop 8, you can imagine how I felt.




Actually this sign captures my thoughts well ;)










For the second time in my life I felt ashamed to be a Californian. The first time was when we elected a Republican Terminator our Governor.



And we all know how well that's worked out.












I am no lawyer but for me this issue centers around the separation of church and state - you know, that little thing this country was founded on. In my mind, it's about teasing out personal beliefs from the rights extended to law-abiding American citizens.





I understand the fear that motivates the other side of the argument. I really do. I may have grown up in West Hollywood but I went to Catholic school for 12 years and have been Latina for 32 years.







So I understand another person's religion may not welcome this family into its church. Fine.


But I believe my government should afford every family the same rights and protection under the laws of the United States. Period.









It KILLS me that this legislation institutionalizes the belief that being gay is shameful, that gays are less than. I know MY God does not believe that.









And I know that is an unacceptable, irresponsible message to send to the next generation. Especially those kids in places around the world where being gay might as well be a death sentence.









So today I joined a beautiful couple who've been together as long as Mr. Diabolina and I have been













And the only man who knows me as well as Mr. Diabolina















To take a stand against intolerance. To join with our community and say we will not be silenced. This is not over.

















We were joined by media whores like Mayor Villaraigosa







Kathy Griffin with her 89 year old boozehound mama











Perezzle





And um, Sally Kirkland.










Our Best Star Sighting tonight: Drew Barrymore. As she bopped by us, Mr. Architect - ever the star fucker - yelled out, "Thank you for supporting us, Drew."


She turned around and said earnestly, "You're welcome." We nearly died. It's GERTIE, people.











As night fell, about 2000 of us began to march.



We marched peacefully AND fabulously. We marched from Santa Monica Blvd and San Vicente to Hollywood and Highland. And then we marched BACK.











Over the course of those 7 miles, there were hilarious moments (duh, it's always a party with gays)






And there were sobering moments.










It was incredible to do something you never do in L.A. - walk. We walked down the streets I've known my entire life. Streets that I know like the back of my hand


And yet, in this context, with thousands of people surrounding me, united against a common threat, I saw everything as if for the first time.








I saw the irony of our protest happening in Hollywood - THE export of these United States. The irony that today sidewalks lined with stars' names and famous hand prints were covered with much more important messages.





I saw the irony of our protest happening on the same sliver of street as the Kodak theater, the site of the Oscars, that global celebration of an industry defined by so many talented gay professionals.












Tonight I felt blessed to join my voice with three of the most loving human beings I know in the name of love.




I urge you to do your part too. Help eradicate hate, fear and ignorance. Join us.








The Outfit
3.1 Phillip Lim dress
Forever 21 sweater

The Accessories
Chanel bag, shoes, earrings
Fashion District pin

The Grade
A





The Commentary


Sheathed myself in Chanel today



bracing my heart for the Supreme Court ruling.

















Once I knew the march was happening I knew I had to get home and change




Unlike boots, these cages were not meant for walking.












Mr. Architect made sure to let me know that he was hearing white was the color to wear tonight. Love peeps who have my fashion back.




Thought about wearing a white dress












The Vena Cava for Gap dresses would've been CHIC as hell.














But a dress didn't feel right. Neither did a white skirt or white shorts



Thought about a white jacket. Ugh all white is tough enough to figure out under regular circumstances much less for my first protest.














With only a few minutes to throw something on, I just settled on a tank top and jeans






With my stripped wrap sweater
















Ballet flats



And a chain quilted bag - my something white.















The boys were very concerned that my shoes were too cute to be comfortable for serious walking. But I assured them I knew what I was doing. I am a semi-pro fashionista after all ;)



But Sable Crow wins Best Professional Protester Accessories. He had his whistle, sign and bullhorn at the ready. Unfortunately, he's had a year of practice protesting :(








Mr. Architect wins Best Protest Jeans.



After all, a cute butt is muy importante anywhere more than one gay gathers ;)









For girls distressed jeans were THE thing tonight.





Ugh. I have to get on that DIY project already.












Best celebrity accessories tonight: No to H8 face tattoos.





We got a few later on in the evening and horded them like crack.











My favorite part of the experience was ultimately the humorous spirit of the crowd.




I am a big believer that in the face of pain, one has to laugh.










Humor is probably the thing I love most about my gay friends.












That and how they notice my hair is different without me having to tell them ;)

13 comments:

Molly said...

Your heart is so in the right place. I would have been right there marching too.

Fabianna (H.Finn Jewelry) said...

This gave me chills. I completely, 100% agree with you. Thank you for stating your opinion so eloquently, hopefully someone with differing views will read it and change their mind :)

Sable Crow said...

I'm so proud of you, Diabolina. I'm proud to know you. I'm proud to see the hard work you've done to reconcile deep parts of your beliefs and values. I'm proud to see the fabulous person that you are, and I'm proud that you have found your voice in such a powerful way.

I'm so glad you were there with me. I'm so touched and honored and humbled and even a little humiliated. I hate having to ask for help. If not for how I was born, I wouldn't have to ask for your help. But I'm grateful to have it. I'm grateful that you will tell me not to be ashamed. I'm grateful that our efforts will bear fruit--and have already begun to do so.

I love you so much.

Sable Crow

Sable Crow said...

Molly,
By saying what you said--by believing the love behind those words--you ARE marching with us.

Thumbelina Fashionista said...

I COMPLETELY agree with your sentiments. It's absolutely appalling that this is STILL an issue! As far as I am concerned, discriminating against gays is like discriminating against blacks, Asians, or Hispanics. *SIGH* There are so many people out there that, unfortunately, cannot separate religion with government. Brava for standing up for this!

Jean Bean said...

And just try to imagine fashion w/o gays!

Jessica Love said...

Standing ovation!!!!!

I read your blog every single day, but I don't often comment. I had to comment on this one, though, because you always speak your mind in such an eloquent and thoughtful way and this post is no exception!

And Sable Crow's comment made me tear up. You are both awesome.

I KNOW this state will step up soon and make us proud to be residents. It HAS to.

Love.

WendyB said...

Fabulous post.

Amanda said...

Separation is not equal.
State and federal legalities should not rest on the power of churches.
Equal rights for all.

And to the haters who say that gay marriage threatens the "sanctity of marriage"? Ugh. That phrase really pisses me off. I feel like a country that has a 50% divorce rate has no business using "the sanctity of marriage" as a slogan. And how many people do you really think remain virgins until they're married?

God, I hope that in my lifetime the system of marriage will be reconstructed. I believe everyone who wants to get married should go through a legal process, and if they want to do the religious ceremony, that's fine, but that should have NO bearing on the law whatsoever. You know. Because of that whole little separation of church and state thing?

Fucking A, America.

Unknown said...

i love how style meets politics!
i guess there's always 2010 to change things, right?
xoxo

Liz said...

Thank you for marching. Thank you.

Victoria said...

Love the way you captured this night.

amber said...

Thank you for sharing the march with us through the pictures and stories. Much love to you and everyone who was marching.

Btw, I'm reading Paul Monette's Borrowed Time right now and besides being a very lyrical/sobering/heart-wrenching look at the beginning of the AIDS crisis, he talks a bit about the idea of gay marriage. Amazing that 20+ years later, we're still only "discussing" it. :(

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