PHOTOS: Response to 'The Response' begins

The responses to “The Response” are under way in Houston. First out of the gate was Friday night’s LGBT Texans Against Hate Rally. Despite temperatures that had barely come down from the triple digits, Houstonians thronged to Tranquility Park in downtown. Beyond commenting on the temperature, the common theme of most of the speakers was that the American Family Association and Gov. Perry’s rally is not representative of Houston and is not welcomed.

Robert Shipman, president of the Houston Stonewall Young Democrats, said: “I kinda think Rick Perry chose the wrong city!”

He continued “They are the bigots, we are not … we are Houston.”

“I guess we should take comfort in the fact that, except for some of his staffers, [Gov. Perry] couldn’t find enough homegrown bigotry in the state of Texas to put on the event himself,” said Mike Craig, co-chair of Out & Equal Houston. “He had to bus them in from Tupulo, Miss., and Colorado Springs, Colo.” Craig was referring to American Family Association (based in Tupulo) and Focus on the Family (based in Colorado Springs), both co-sponsors of “The Response.”

State Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, provided the closing address. He criticized Gov. Perry for using divisive religious rhetoric for political gain. “Being here today I’m proud that we are fighting back against a narrow, theocratic view of the world that we live in and of our country that says that people are not welcomed — that says that people are bad because of who they are. That is not America,” said Coleman. “That is what is dividing our city, our state and our country.”

Stay tuned to Instant Tea for more coverage of the LGBT community’s response to “The Response.” More photos from the LGBT Texans Against Hate Rally below (click to enlarge):

: Al Jasso

: Betty Geary brought homemade chocolate chip cookies to share

: Dean Glen David Warren and Dutch Flowers

: City Council candidate Jennifer Rene Pool

: Kennedy and Cassie

: Liz James, Janice Martinez and Melissa Ray

: Riki Miller, Zombie McZee and Britney Miranda

: Luis Ruiz

: Houston GLBT Political Caucus President Noel Freeman and State Rep. Garnet Coleman

: Taylor Zaterwhite and Isabell Holcolm

14 Comments

Roger Constance on August 6, 2011 at 10:17 am

It’s people like YOU with your libertarian point of view that has turned the country into a new sodom and gamora. If you truely believe what you are publishing, Then my prayer will be for you also,that you would be healed of your ignorance, I proudly server a country that I love dearly., and for what? So people like you could destroy our CHRISTIAN based America.It’s YOUR way of thinking that has destroyed our way of life. Go back to where you came from. And have a Blessed Day.

Jeff Nott on August 6, 2011 at 10:42 am

If the lgbt really wanted to love thy neighbor, they would live and let live and not be used as a political pawn in a moralistic chess match. Sexual preference should be left in the bedroom at home. The shock and awe is over, we know your there, now go about your business and let us go about ours, then we can all get along in harmony. We don’t have to agree on everything, you and your partners don’t and neither do we, so leave it be. We will all be in the same boat, living in third world conditions when our country is a memory. Your out there crying for marriage equality while the government is stealing our money hand over fist. Why isn’t your organization recognizing the true problem? You have the means and power to help, but yet you allow yourselves to be part of the cover-up distraction.

Donovan Lord on August 7, 2011 at 2:35 am

First of all, this is not a “Christian based” country anymore than it is “Old White Man Slave Owning” based. Simply because SOME of the founding fathers of this country were Christians doesn’t mean that they founded it based on Christian morality. If that’s the case, then we should still have slavery since many of them owned slaves at the time as well. One could argue that the US should uphold slavery because the founding fathers believed in it – some of them anyway.

It’s a tired argument that is without merit. If you read history, FACTS by the way, not what you’re spoon fed by FOX News as “truth”, you would know these things and many more. Not only would you know that, but you would know that RELIGION shall not infringe upon the rights of the citizens of this country (separation of Church and State). People like you two seem to forget these things when you go around saying we should just shut up and take it. That is what pisses you off the most, that we just won’t lie down and be walked over and say “Thank you” for whatever we can get. Right? Right. The fact is that we will CONTINUE to fight for E Q U A L I T Y whether you like it or not. We want nothing more and nothing less. No separate but equal BS. This isn’t Jim Crow 1962.

As far as “destroying” your way of life. No one has done that but yourselves. “Christians” like you always argue how pious and wonderful your way of life is and how “Christian” you are. When in fact you are nothing but bullies who are afraid of something you do not understand. And by the way, Jesus Christ himself would be marching with us and fighting for our equality if he were here today. He wouldn’t be on the side of the oppressors, he would be on the side of the oppressed. Just as he is said to have been in your sacred text The Bible. Perhaps you forgot who he was in the midst of all of your “Christian values”.

Get with the program. Because if you don’t, you’ll continue to be on the wrong side of history when in perhaps 30 or 40 years we have our first gay president, and in perhaps only 5 or 10 years when gay marriage is recognized legally across all 50 states. Or, when we are no longer hassled for being who and what we are which is only an affront to you because you have no true Christian values. The only values you possess are hate, intolerance, bigotry, and close-mindedness. That doesn’t sound much like Jesus Christ to me.

Cristan Williams on August 7, 2011 at 10:33 am

Give me a break! To any of you Christians who thought that this hate-group lead “Response” was just a peachy idea, crack open that Bible and read Matt.6.5 – 18.

Jack Jett on August 7, 2011 at 11:22 am

Just a note of THANKS to the guys and gals who braved the heat ..as well as political heat to go out and protest something that every American should be concerned with. It doesn’t take balls to go to some wussy ass event like a Rick Perry butt licking…but it does take big balls to go stand up…face to face with a bunch of mentally deranged extremist who have the potential to cause harm.

To Roger & Jeff……Club Dallas usually gets hoping on Sunday around 4pm. Should give you time to go and make it to evening services. Good luck with all that.

Riki Miller on August 7, 2011 at 1:37 pm

I Cannot believe the horrendous amount of closed-minded individuals that we have to deal with on a daily basis. For those of you who are commenting about “go back where you came from” or claiming that we (LGBTi) are the reasons for the unchristian based life in America… shut up… wake up and smell the damn coffee… CHRISTIANITY ISN’T THE ONLY RELIGION AND IT NEVER WILL BE THE ONLY RELIGION.

Your christian god says “Judge not lest ye be judged” and “Love thy neighbor” and that he loves all his children and he makes no mistakes…

By complaining about our way of life… our BIRTHRIGHT… you’re becoming the OPPOSITE of what your ‘good book’ preaches to you.

We rallied against the people who can’t accept that everyone is different, everyone loves differently. we’re all “God’s people”. Atheists, muslims, gays, blacks… etc… all those groups that have dealt with their fair share of hate in the past adn present… they’re “God’s people” and there’s nothing else to it.

Get off your high horse and get with the program.

Roger Constance on August 8, 2011 at 6:36 pm

To Riki,Jack,and scripture Christian. Well when judgement day comes,we WILL SEE who’s right. So stand firmly on what you believe. Maybe you should read Hebrews 10.23-39 A forsake not the assembly. And by the way…ALL we invited to pray for our nation.Not for your cause.

Donovan Lord on August 8, 2011 at 8:04 pm

Roger….

When judgment day comes as you believe, God will be disappointed in YOU not the gay community.

Riki Miller on August 9, 2011 at 2:11 am

Roger… You’re the prime example of a hypocritical Christian. I know what that book says. I was a god fearing Christian at one point. You don’t need to preach to me or anyone else here.
Hypocritical, religious, ignorant Brainwash 101… Hate, quote, hate, rant, hate…
Yup! Sounds like you’ve got it! Now that we’ve got that, you can take it and leave. If you don’t like it that I’m a female and love my FEMALE partner, then ignore it. It’s none of your business. No one is asking you to join in and no one is shoving it in your face. Maturity is something people seem to be lacking…

Roger Constance on August 9, 2011 at 8:15 am

Look in the mirror Riki.

Riki Miller on August 9, 2011 at 2:17 pm

I see a beautiful female who is happy with her partner and living a life of love and respect.
What do YOU see when you look in the mirror?

Donovan Lord on August 9, 2011 at 4:19 pm

He probably sees a closet case.

Lady Aizen on August 9, 2011 at 7:30 pm

Roger Constance:

I do not know of this “sodom and gamora” you speak of. Did you mean Sodom and Gamora? Also, neither of these cities were destroyed because of homosexuality. They were destroyed because of greed and lack of hospitality.

Lady Aizen on August 9, 2011 at 7:31 pm

Oops, I thought you spelled “Gamora” wrong. However, my point still stands.

Roger Constance on August 6, 2011 at 10:17 am

It’s people like YOU with your libertarian point of view that has turned the country into a new sodom and gamora. If you truely believe what you are publishing, Then my prayer will be for you also,that you would be healed of your ignorance, I proudly server a country that I love dearly., and for what? So people like you could destroy our CHRISTIAN based America.It’s YOUR way of thinking that has destroyed our way of life. Go back to where you came from. And have a Blessed Day.
Jeff Nott on August 6, 2011 at 10:42 am

If the lgbt really wanted to love thy neighbor, they would live and let live and not be used as a political pawn in a moralistic chess match. Sexual preference should be left in the bedroom at home. The shock and awe is over, we know your there, now go about your business and let us go about ours, then we can all get along in harmony. We don’t have to agree on everything, you and your partners don’t and neither do we, so leave it be. We will all be in the same boat, living in third world conditions when our country is a memory. Your out there crying for marriage equality while the government is stealing our money hand over fist. Why isn’t your organization recognizing the true problem? You have the means and power to help, but yet you allow yourselves to be part of the cover-up distraction.
Donovan Lord on August 7, 2011 at 2:35 am

First of all, this is not a “Christian based” country anymore than it is “Old White Man Slave Owning” based. Simply because SOME of the founding fathers of this country were Christians doesn’t mean that they founded it based on Christian morality. If that’s the case, then we should still have slavery since many of them owned slaves at the time as well. One could argue that the US should uphold slavery because the founding fathers believed in it – some of them anyway.

It’s a tired argument that is without merit. If you read history, FACTS by the way, not what you’re spoon fed by FOX News as “truth”, you would know these things and many more. Not only would you know that, but you would know that RELIGION shall not infringe upon the rights of the citizens of this country (separation of Church and State). People like you two seem to forget these things when you go around saying we should just shut up and take it. That is what pisses you off the most, that we just won’t lie down and be walked over and say “Thank you” for whatever we can get. Right? Right. The fact is that we will CONTINUE to fight for E Q U A L I T Y whether you like it or not. We want nothing more and nothing less. No separate but equal BS. This isn’t Jim Crow 1962.

As far as “destroying” your way of life. No one has done that but yourselves. “Christians” like you always argue how pious and wonderful your way of life is and how “Christian” you are. When in fact you are nothing but bullies who are afraid of something you do not understand. And by the way, Jesus Christ himself would be marching with us and fighting for our equality if he were here today. He wouldn’t be on the side of the oppressors, he would be on the side of the oppressed. Just as he is said to have been in your sacred text The Bible. Perhaps you forgot who he was in the midst of all of your “Christian values”.

Get with the program. Because if you don’t, you’ll continue to be on the wrong side of history when in perhaps 30 or 40 years we have our first gay president, and in perhaps only 5 or 10 years when gay marriage is recognized legally across all 50 states. Or, when we are no longer hassled for being who and what we are which is only an affront to you because you have no true Christian values. The only values you possess are hate, intolerance, bigotry, and close-mindedness. That doesn’t sound much like Jesus Christ to me.
Cristan Williams on August 7, 2011 at 10:33 am

Give me a break! To any of you Christians who thought that this hate-group lead “Response” was just a peachy idea, crack open that Bible and read Matt.6.5 – 18.
Jack Jett on August 7, 2011 at 11:22 am

Just a note of THANKS to the guys and gals who braved the heat ..as well as political heat to go out and protest something that every American should be concerned with. It doesn’t take balls to go to some wussy ass event like a Rick Perry butt licking…but it does take big balls to go stand up…face to face with a bunch of mentally deranged extremist who have the potential to cause harm.

To Roger & Jeff……Club Dallas usually gets hoping on Sunday around 4pm. Should give you time to go and make it to evening services. Good luck with all that.
Riki Miller on August 7, 2011 at 1:37 pm

I Cannot believe the horrendous amount of closed-minded individuals that we have to deal with on a daily basis. For those of you who are commenting about “go back where you came from” or claiming that we (LGBTi) are the reasons for the unchristian based life in America… shut up… wake up and smell the damn coffee… CHRISTIANITY ISN’T THE ONLY RELIGION AND IT NEVER WILL BE THE ONLY RELIGION.

Your christian god says “Judge not lest ye be judged” and “Love thy neighbor” and that he loves all his children and he makes no mistakes…

By complaining about our way of life… our BIRTHRIGHT… you’re becoming the OPPOSITE of what your ‘good book’ preaches to you.

We rallied against the people who can’t accept that everyone is different, everyone loves differently. we’re all “God’s people”. Atheists, muslims, gays, blacks… etc… all those groups that have dealt with their fair share of hate in the past adn present… they’re “God’s people” and there’s nothing else to it.

Get off your high horse and get with the program.
Roger Constance on August 8, 2011 at 6:36 pm

To Riki,Jack,and scripture Christian. Well when judgement day comes,we WILL SEE who’s right. So stand firmly on what you believe. Maybe you should read Hebrews 10.23-39 A forsake not the assembly. And by the way…ALL we invited to pray for our nation.Not for your cause.
Donovan Lord on August 8, 2011 at 8:04 pm

Roger….

When judgment day comes as you believe, God will be disappointed in YOU not the gay community.
Riki Miller on August 9, 2011 at 2:11 am

Roger… You’re the prime example of a hypocritical Christian. I know what that book says. I was a god fearing Christian at one point. You don’t need to preach to me or anyone else here.
Hypocritical, religious, ignorant Brainwash 101… Hate, quote, hate, rant, hate…
Yup! Sounds like you’ve got it! Now that we’ve got that, you can take it and leave. If you don’t like it that I’m a female and love my FEMALE partner, then ignore it. It’s none of your business. No one is asking you to join in and no one is shoving it in your face. Maturity is something people seem to be lacking…
Roger Constance on August 9, 2011 at 8:15 am

Look in the mirror Riki.
Riki Miller on August 9, 2011 at 2:17 pm

I see a beautiful female who is happy with her partner and living a life of love and respect.
What do YOU see when you look in the mirror?
Donovan Lord on August 9, 2011 at 4:19 pm

He probably sees a closet case.
Lady Aizen on August 9, 2011 at 7:30 pm

Roger Constance:

I do not know of this “sodom and gamora” you speak of. Did you mean Sodom and Gamora? Also, neither of these cities were destroyed because of homosexuality. They were destroyed because of greed and lack of hospitality.
Lady Aizen on August 9, 2011 at 7:31 pm

Oops, I thought you spelled “Gamora” wrong. However, my point still stands.

PHOTOS: Response to ‘The Response’ begins

Riki Miller, Zombie McZee and Britney Miranda.

14 Comments