"Protesting Makes Me Giddy: My Final Thoughts on Marching With Power Dykes on Crutches and Queers in Heels"

So, by now I'm sure all of you have heard of, read about and/or experienced first-hand the growth of what now has been going on in the Streets since last Wednesday, November 5, 2008. What a hell of a week it was, indeed. I took Sunday and Monday off from protesting (though I know there was a peace rally at a Church on Sunday afternoon - I was there in spirit), taking the time to rest, relax and reflect on the beginning of this extraordinary month of November. I've been very proud to be a November Scorpio for many reasons as of late, but even more proud to be a regular ol' lesbian.

Today I won't talk about chickens, nor will I talk about the Yes On 8 community. I won't even talk about being Black, but maybe once. Today, I'm going to merely celebrate and show my gratitude for being able to be apart of the amazing events thus far.

The most amazing thing is that we went from 500-1000 people the first night and over just four days grew to an active Movement of 20,000 LGBTIQQA ("Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Intersex Queer Questioning Ally") folk in Southern California on Saturday, November 8, in the Streets of Silverlake/Hollywood Proper. Not only that, All Across America walks and protests have been occurring since the first group of us decided we were not going to let this one "slide", with other countries looking in on us, as well. We've all been waiting for the Revolution, and happily, it HAS been televised. Contrary to belief, the world has been watching.

The Revolution is being televised. And on a cold day in hell, a Black man got elected El Presidente in America. Holy hot veggie dog, Catwoman!

I must say that even though we have grown into such a large group of people in a short span of time, there was truly nothing like the energy and electricity felt Day 1 and Day 2 of the call to action. The passion, the vigor... The self-governed trust amongst us to decide our own march routes, rather than have them dictated to us by Enforcers. The trust in ourselves to work as a unit, and to march until our legs had shin splints and our voices sounded like death. The sheer, un-staged, raw realness that only the people who were able to be there on those days will ever be able to express because of the freshness of it all. 20 years from now, 30..40, I'll look back and say "I helped something be born and grow", and hopefully by then, we'll not still have to be out in the Streets!

I am so proud of everyone who I have locked eyes with in the past week. I'm talking about the young girls holding an Equality for All Sign, with their Mom in an apron crying tears of joy as 1,000s of us marched passed their apartment entrance one Sunny Day in November. I'm talking about the people stuck in traffic who got out of their cars to jump and rejoice for joy as they saw us in the Streets, walking proud and being loud. I'm talking about the men, the hard, tattooed-up, gangster-looking men, holding hands walking in the marches. I'm talking about everyone who has said "no more of this" with peace signs, fists, markers and cardboard. I'm talking about myself and every single individual, because one raindrop raises the sea. I'm talking about the lil' babies on the backs of their parents or in their arms, asleep clutching American flags while their mommies and daddies make a brighter future for them. I'm talking about the Celebrity Power Dykes on crutches, excited to march and hauling butt as though they had no crutches to begin with.

I'm talking about Queers in Heels, male, female and everything in between.

I'm talking about the lil' animals draped in rainbow paraphernalia.

I'm talking about the people on the sidelines cheering us on at every corner, taking video, taking pictures and taking quick short moments to say "Thank you" as we marched into the night.

I thank you to everyone who has not been able to be at the marches, but has shown so much (such? s'much?) support to all of us via text, emails and phone.

Tonight 11/11/08 is the "Million Gay March" rally on Santa Monica Pier @ 5pm. 321 Santa Monica Pier, CA 90401. www.milliongaymarch.org

Not sure how much shouting I'll be doing, because I'm just barely starting to get my voice back; but I believe even in Silence, we say a lot. I'm just giddy to re-convene. It's all very exciting. I went to bed at 5 am after working on music today, and still woke up around 8 am, 'cuz I'm just so Moved lately. We shouldn't have to be doing this, but by gummit, at least we're out showing we care about being taken seriously as human beings, no matter what part of the LGBTIQQA spectrum. Whenever I can, and with sincere gratitude, I walk and will continue to walk in unity with the countless others until we come to an equal place in society as living, breathing Beings. This, is the least I can do as a person living on this earth, in this country, in this City of Angels. As a person who casted a vote for the November 4, 2008 election in the 18-24 age bracket, and a few days after, was no longer ever going to be in that age group again, but will always be in the generation of Change. As a woman who sees us all doing better for ourselves and the world as a whole, as far as truly coming together. I'm not certain if I'll write more about the experience or when, but for sure I'll be out there living the experience...

Peace to all. And to all, a good fight.

Nova Jade*
11-11-08

djnovajade@gmail.com

PS: Queers not only March, but we Create Art... BENT LA: Queer Artist Visions opened on Nov. 8th, 2008 and the Gallery Space will run until Nov. 15, 2008. Check it out at the Casita Del Pueblo - 6738 Greenleaf Avenue, Whittier CA, 90601. Call - 562.693.2844.