An Open Letter to Anti-2010-Olympics Protestors

Hi. I’m Steffani, and I’m a lifelong Vancouverite.
I voted “YES” in the Olympics plebiscite “back in the day,” when we lowly democratic peons had the chance to vote on the once-every-four-years-party that, you know, would cost a few bucks to put on.
Now, I know, that voting day was such a sunny, beautiful day so many years ago that we didn’t even have a majority of our citizens turn out.
You know what? Not MY problem.
Because I fuckin’ voted. I did my job.
And I’ve lived and paid my taxes in this city my entire life, so, y’know, I feel entitled to that vote & the smugness that comes with.
Now, here we are, the day before the Games. There are more people supporting them than not, but now we have a new cry arising from the anti-Games protestors.
They think us “Pro-Games” people are trying to quel their “freedom” of speech.
No, you know what we’re trying to do?
We’re trying to get you to shut up, or at least be more constructive in your message.
Quite a different thing altogether.
See, we shut up and let you have your say for years. No harm, no foul, man! Say whatcha gotta say. Democracy in action, man.
You know how you get a few hundred people at your rallies, at best? In a city of 2 million? Well, we’ve letcha have your say. Loudly.
And good for you! You’re keeping democracy alive!
But here’s the thing.
Protesting the Olympics now? TODAY? TOMORROW?
That’s like standing at the bottom of a mountain with an avalanche of spring snow rushing at you and being pissed it has the indecency of crashing your picnic, throwing your arms up passionately, and bellowing “STOP! I COMMAND THEE!”
You can TRY, but… Nice fuckin’ try, chump.
Why not use the opportunity of having the world at our doorstep to protest things you CAN change? To use your voice to rally others to take up causes that WILL affect others?
Fighting the Games now? Just fucking dumb. Sorry if that insults your intelligence, but it’s kinda my blog and that’s the way it rolls in these far-too-blunt parts.
The Games are here. Why not err on the side that, you know, a party costing $6 billion might be a fun one to show up at?
It’s not a party for the “rich.” Do you have ANY idea how much of the Games are free to see? Probably close to half. That’s a party for the PEOPLE, man.
Oh, and there’s another point. Psst, the “Games” didn’t cost $6 billion. Infrastructure we needed cost a lot of that money.
Like the fancy new highway that was famously one of the deadliest heavily-used highways in Canada and needed upgrades for safety, but never had a chance of being approved for improvements to the extent that it was improved, not without a mega-project like the Olympics spurring it on.
Or the schmancy new train that’s changed MY life so much for the better.
Or the incredible public areas along the Olympic village and road upgrades throughout the city?
That’s not “for the rich.” That’s for all of us. Yeah, the city will eat a loss. And this is unusual for Olympics how? Wholesale improvements to ANY area tends to result in loss before it pays off. Those payoffs tend to occur in intangibles that defy measuring, too.
The real advantage of the Olympics is the profile Vancouver will receive. With our medical system, no matter WHAT they approve in the States, we still offer major incentives to industry — but there are a lot of delusional ideas about what life in Vancouver will mean. Like igloos. Or salmon-smoking shacks in every yard.
When the world gets a load of people wandering around in t-shirts when the sun emerges next week, preconceptions about Canada will shatter around the world. You can’t BUY that kind of publicity.
Or, well, actually, you can. When you win the chance to host something as coveted as the Olympics, a party so exclusive you gotta wait four years between ’em. I hear the going rate’s about $6 billion. -Ish.
I’ve lived here ALL of my life. I’m one of 26 people, give or take, in Vancouver who can say I was born and raised here. I know what this town looked like with the population a fraction of what it is today.
I’ve seen the changes. All of them.
Some break my heart.
But some make me so proud.
And through it all, my city’s remained beautiful, has become an incredible multicultural paradise, and maintains something uniquely Canadian about it at the same time.
I want the world to see what I have. I want the world to know what Canada offers. And I’m not sorry for it.
Protesters, we let you have your stage. You’ve fought the Olympics for years.
We’re not telling you not to protest wrongs, we’re just wanting you to focus your protest more constructively.
You had your floor. Even though you lost years ago, we never tried to shut your soapbox down. Authorities might’ve, but we citizens kept our mouths shut and let you do your thang.
Now the world’s here, and it’s our floor, and we want it to be the best goddamned party we can throw.
Protest homelessness, arts cutbacks, anything you goddamned well want, but just don’t impede the torch, don’t crash the opening ceremonies. Play nice!
Let us have our time in the sun, too.
We’ve quietly waited for years.
We’re just not being quiet about it anymore.
And it’s not censorship. It’s a request. From one neighbour to another.
Let’s enjoy our block party. Heck, I’ll buy you a beer.
In two weeks, it’s over, and it’s civic unrest as usual for you — but nothing left for us, except possibly the bitterness that might linger if we feel we were robbed of our very expensive moment in the limelight.
So, today, we’re asking. Let us enjoy the moment. It’s our turn.
Regards,
Steff.

43 thoughts on “An Open Letter to Anti-2010-Olympics Protestors

  1. Janine

    Standing O! With tears streaming down my cheeks.
    Thank you.
    This is why we need writers like you because you have stated perfectly what many of us are thinking!

  2. Jeremy Lim

    Kudos! Well spoken and thought out. Yes, there’s no denying there’s a debt to pay for this, and the protests do have many, many valid points, but as put by Steff, it’s here and it’s not stopping. We can all grumble together when this is all over.
    .-= Jeremy Lim´s last blog ..The Best of 365 Days: Month 1 =-.

  3. Dean

    You rock! Finally someone is saying it how it should be said. I was so pissed at the demonstraters on the news last night, i just about decked my flat panel (and then got over it). See you all at the party!

  4. Mike Cantelon

    You miss the point that the small number of protesters actually represents a large body of people, as represented in various polls.
    It’s doubtful these hundreds of protesters are going to stop the sporting event or spoil the party you’re excited about, so chill.

    1. A Scribe Called Steff Post author

      I see, Mike. So I should let the protesters keep ranting and I should keep my thoughts to myself.
      Is that how this works?
      See, I foolishly thought I was able to make my passionate opinion known, too. It’s not like I’ve requested billy clubs to bash in heads with.
      I’m just using my free speech after shutting up and letting democracy unfold so long.
      So, really, I literally AM “just saying”.

  5. Darren

    Awesome job, Steff!!! Exactly what I want to say as well – you say it waaay better!! I was cyring with tears of patriotism! Wonderful, wonderful! Hope to see you around during OUR PARTY!!!

  6. Mike Cantelon

    Not telling you not to express your opinion, just criticizing your opinion that others should have to keep their mouth shut because there’s a supersized sporting event going on.

  7. Donna

    Methinks you misunderstand what freedom of speech is, especially since you say flat out in your original post, “We’re trying to get you to shut up”.
    Nobody is telling you not to have an opinion. They’re disagreeing with it. That’s totally okay, since I think your original point was that you disagree with what anti-olympic people have to say anyway. But quite frankly, a lot of people are getting bloody tired of being told that oh, just because the Olympics are actually HERE now, we’re supposed to shut up, roll over, and take it like a good girl. Shh, it’s okay, it’ll be over soon. Don’t complain, it only hurts for a couple of weeks.
    No, I don’t think I will. In fact, posts like this do an excellent job of feeding my anti-olympic spirit, and keep me talking about them. Otherwise, I was actually pretty happy to just stay home and avoid things completely. But hey, maybe I should attend more protests so people like you don’t forget that we’re out here.

    1. A Scribe Called Steff Post author

      Donna, whatever. Good for you. Bang that drum.
      I don’t forget you’re out there. You’ve been OUT THERE for EIGHT FUCKING YEARS.
      I’m asking you to be quiet for TWO WEEKS so that those of us who VOTED and WON THE RIGHT to host the Olympics get to enjoy it without having people wreck the party.
      I’m not asking you to NOT PROTEST important things like rights to the Downtown East Side or safe-injection sites or housing for the impoverished. In fact, I BEG YOU: PLEASE CONTINUE THOSE FIGHTS.
      But protesting the Olympics now will ACCOMPLISH FUCKING JACK ALL.
      So, you know, if protesting is for effecting change, then go do that regarding something that can be changed.
      Because this is a done deal.
      And don’t give me your sanctimony just because you disagree with my posting. I’ve disagreed with you people for eight years and respectfully kept my mouth shut and let you fight your fights.
      The night before opening ceremony? I’m DONE shutting up.
      And it ain’t fucking likely that’s gonna change.

    1. A Scribe Called Steff Post author

      Sure, Chloe, I’ll watch your video produced by someone with an agenda to sell.
      Know what? I’m a profoundly left-wing person (yes, we’re allowed to support the Olympics) but I don’t like Michael Moore’s movies. Know why? I loathe people who have an argument then skew all the facts to reflect their argument.
      That’s not debate, that’s propaganda.
      Know what? I’m not interested.
      Know why? Because I’m able to read constructive articles that balance both sides of the equation without trying to making bleeding hearts or rabid conservatives all happy-happy joy-joy about the PROPAGANDA they’ve just enjoyed.
      Sorry. Sell that kettle of fish to someone who’s buying. I’ll use my own intelligence and thoughtful, provocative mind to sift through unbiased information.

  8. Ryan Trigg

    Steffani’s opinion appears to be quite popular in this forum. McDonald’s appears to be quite a popular restaurant. Two random facts? Or is there some underlying connection? hmmmm…

    1. A Scribe Called Steff Post author

      Yeah, Ryan, here’s another random fact: You’re smug self-righteous fuck if that’s the argument you want to make.
      You oppose the Olympics so you win on moral superiority? Get a reality check.
      And I put more care in my writing than McDonald’s puts in a year of their cooking, so go fuck yourself for having a comment the mentality of a sixth-grader. But, you know, at least I’m nice enough to let you have your say before I tell you you’re being a fuckwit about it.
      Now that’s democracy.

  9. jean

    Oh fer crying out loud! Debate is something that occurs BEFORE a decision is made. Protest is something that happens after a decision is made, but when there is still time for that decision to be reversed. But people, it’s TOO DAMNED LATE to change anything now! It’s a done deal, it’s here and it’s happening, and there is absolutely nothing you can do now except expend a whole lot of energy spoiling the enjoyment and happiness of regular folk., and make yourselves look like idiots in the so doing. So like Steff said, just shut the heck up for a while!

  10. Lynne

    I will preface this comment with the admission that I am a former hater. I’ve been amongst the grumpiest of anti-Olympic folk. I’d never actually go out and protest, but to date I’ve grumbled a lot. A few things changed that for me this week.
    While I’m still not a big fan of what these Games represent (mainly endless sponsorship & cronyism & I’m not impressed with the fact that VANOC has the nerve to claim things like being carbon neutral while they pilot a fleet of SUVs across the city) what I am proud of is VANCOUVER. Steff nailed it in this post.
    I moved here seven years ago, almost to the day. If you think about all this city has accomplished in the past seven years you cannot help but be proud. The Canada Line. Woodwards & W2. Even InSite. Steff is right–a lot of good shit has been accomplished. Sure: People are still poor. Health care is problematic. The IOC is kind of corrupt & Olympic sponsors are by and large what is wrong with this world.
    But Vancouver. Oh Vancouver, beautiful Vancouver. I’m from Toronto, so trust me–even at its worst we are damn lucky to be here & I feel kind of ashamed that I got caught up in the negative & forgot about that.
    And to all the protesters, ask yourselves: If we hadn’t got the Games, would things really be any different? We’d be worse off, I’m sure.

  11. Susan

    This whole issue is very complicated. I want everyone to enjoy Vancouver and see how great our city is. I’ve had nice interactions with the tourists. But I voted **No** to the Olympics and I’m very saddened to see so much expense on this type of an event when we have so many other things in our society that need money.
    But that said, I *do* like to see people in a celebratory mood – for those who are. Celebrations are great. I love seeing photos of people on ziplines and all the crazy “fun” aspects on Twitter – all the parties, pavilions, etc. So much cool art. So many culture events – among lovers and haters of Olympics.
    I’m not going to any protests because I’m scared they may get violent (especially with so many security guards in town and a high tension level).
    In general, I’m more of an advocate than an activist. I’d rather stay home and leave the Olympic folks to have their party.
    As an advocate, I’ll continue working peacefully with the people / projects that need the $$$ that the Olympics sucked up. I’d like to see information gets out via media, like the BBC story about drug use in the DTES and they interviewed people in alleys shooting up. Information about our challenges as a city is getting more exposure, which is a plus in some ways.
    All very complicated – and I hope everyone can respect each other’s opinions, perhaps with less mockery… (or not)
    Yesterday at the seabus station I heard one armed security guard say to another: “If you didn’t like people-watching, this would be horrible.”
    .-= Susan´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.

  12. Akash

    So the Olympics don’t help the less fortunate?
    One only has to see what companies such as Rona are doing. They initiated a program that helps create job and provide skills training to those who may not be able to obtain employment.
    Enough said…

  13. steven schwartz

    hear hear steph, thanks. I for one am tired of the professional protester. same faces every cause. But they really do nothing to make change. How do we change you ask? At the cash register, spend money with who creates change and do not spend money with archaic dinosaurs. we can vote two ways with a ballot and with a wallet. I vote, I pay taxes, I work for change and I welcome the world to our city..
    .-= steven schwartz´s last blog .."I am Light, I am Darkness, I am Steven =-.

    1. A Scribe Called Steff Post author

      Yeah, but, Jeremy, am I trying to shut them up, or am I trying to rally the supporters? YOU think I’m all panties-in-a-twist about this and fraught, but I’m just a well-spoken, well-written person. I WANT TO SAY THIS.
      I don’t give a fuck if being all Zen makes it happier. Someone’s got to say these things, and if everyone else is so fucking scared of offending others or having their opinions reflect on them professionally, you know who’s gonna say it?
      Me. And even better, know who’s going to ENJOY saying it? Me.
      What may seem like an emotionally-wrought posting to those who are getting all patriotic about it, I wrote in about 20 minutes and was as calm afterwards as I was before.
      Ignore them if you like. My concern is them making my city look like it’s filled with self-righteous twats. So, yeah, I’m speaking out.

  14. Estelle

    Well said! Thanks for saying what so many of us are thinking! I feel like I’ve been having this conversation for days, I’ve been quietly listening to the protesters for so long, but these past few days I am not holding back, I’m letting them know how I feel! Bring on the games, I’m going to soak up and enjoy every moment of them!

  15. Mark

    Protesting at this point is just sour grapes.You voted no. More people voted yes.
    You may not like the outcome, but too bad. Next time there’s a vote, get out there and be vocal and drum up support for your point of view before the vote/referendum/whatever and maybe your point of view will prevail. Then again, maybe it won’t.
    What are you going to do, hold your breath until the electorate changes their mind and says OK OK, we vote no! now BREATHE!

  16. Mike Cantelon

    A few observations…
    The idea that the “yes” vote legitimizes the Olympics in questionable. What was voted on isn’t what we ended up with (cost projections at that stage were not even close to realistic). So yes, we voted on *something* – just not the 2010 Winter Olympics.
    Regarding the idea that it’s too late to protest the Olympics: this only seems to consider as a strategic objective the idea of stopping one instance of the Olympics games. There are many type of protesters and many objectives. Some are likely looking to reform the Olympic games in general: changing it back into a more of a cultural event rather than a subsidized corporate event that is guaranteed profit, yet leaves taxpayer debt in its wake.

  17. Ryan

    Aww Steph, you flatter me…never thought I’d get so many “f” words out of you! I’m not necessarily against the Olympics as I have been enjoying the celebrations that appear to be creating a great feeling of community in the city. I believe it’s healthy to understand both sides of a story so I’m weary of people who appear to be blindly following a strong opinion based on emotions (protesters and anti-protesters alike). Perhaps my McDonald’s comparison was cheap and immature, but it was fun to write and I also had fun receiving your heated response…and that’s what it’s all about isn’t it? Just having fun and not worrying or caring about the consequences, right? 🙂

  18. Chloe

    I guess it just comes down to whose agenda you decide to buy into. The local folks who made the Five Ring Circus movie are concerned citizens who do a lot of work for community and care about social justice.
    If you’d rather be a cheerleader for giant corporations that are making tons of money, hey, that’s your prerogative.
    6 billion $$ of our tax money has funded this spectacle. Revenue from the games is not expected to be more than 1 billion $$. It doesn’t take a genius to do the math. Those aren’t free events. We are getting screwed.
    This reporter from Sports Illustrated sums it up:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S4dnAjMfIc

  19. Kemp

    As one of the 26 I say, “Here, here!” I don’t want people to ‘shut up’ but I don’t think protesters understand how often acts civil disobedience result in negative outcomes for the cause.
    Use blogs, use twitter, use forums, use a phone, use a poster, heck start an organization to educate people about your cause and the effective path to reconcile the deficit you see. Talk to people, write a book, write a magazine article. Talk to friends.
    If your cause is for the greater good and your plan pragmatic the chances of your success increase infinitely versus getting dragged from the street by some poor police officer who has ‘to do his job’ to pay the bills.
    Let’s not get too off topic you red herring lovers. There are definitely bad apples within the VPD and RCMP but most of those men and women are doing a job that few of us would be willing to do.
    .-= Kemp´s last blog ..The Chevrolet Volt with Jason Baker =-.

  20. John

    Cheers Steff, this was a great post!
    I consider myself extremely lucky to have lived in two cities that have hosted the Winter Olympics, having grown up Calgary and now living here for 17 years. I have witnessed first hand the legacy of the Olympics. The facilities, infrastructure and improvements to transportation; all have lasting benefits to the community. But the biggest legacy by far, was the sense of pride that continues to this day.
    What worries me about these games is that the community has become so divided, albeit over some legitimate concerns.
    I don’t expect that this post or any comments here will actually stop people from protesting. It’s your democratic right but please … please don’t be a dick.
    Better yet, go out and cheer for your fucking country! Or take your kids out to some free events (and if you don’t have kids, make some).
    @Chloe
    That guy is isn’t a reporter for Sports Illustrated, he’s an opinion guy from the The Nation, a magazine that has described itself as “the flagship of the left.” And even he was alarmed by the fact that for the first time at an Olympics, protesters are requesting help from other countries.
    So go ahead, invite a bunch of Americans to come and stand up for your cause. Me? I’ll be out there with my kids, enjoying a once in a lifetime experience and soaking up the Canadian and Vancouver pride.
    .-= John´s last blog ..john_d_mcdonald: The comment thread on this @RWW blog post just secured it’s place in Internet history. Funny, tragic and fascinating! http://bit.ly/fb-login =-.

  21. protester

    “We’re trying to get you to shut up, or at least be more constructive in your message.”
    Trying hard, in this case: olympicresistance.net is down, mediacoop.ca is down, resist.ca is down. All were up yesterday, all have been down all night. All crucial, useful, loved tools for dissent. That’s the olympic spirit, fair play?
    World doesn’t end on Vancouver 2010. Protests today serve for the future of Vancouver (to deal with the “Olympic legacy” in form of twice the homelessness, for example) and for the future of the world (we can prevent abuses on the poor on Rio!).

  22. paul

    i’m protesting, not to stop the olympics or participate in or help stopping/stalling the torch. i realize the games are going ahead, and that’s not why i’m protesting. i voted against them and lost, fair and square.
    i also have no problem with people that are pro-olympics. hell, i live downtown and helped tons of tourists with directions – since i don’t think that my dislike of the games gives me the right to be mean to anyone. and i’m going to take that logic to any protests i attend as well.
    i’m protesting to draw attention to issues i feel the world needs to see (why not use this media circus for GOOD CAUSES instead of just sports?) – and i’m standing up for what i feel is right, instead of sitting idly by and not doing a thing about it. i’m taking this opportunity to have a voice, since feeling something is wrong and doing nothing about feels like i’d just be an accomplice to it.
    if you’re in favour of free speech, that means you’re in favour of the freedom for others to share opinions you don’t like, as loudly as they’d like. it’s the true test of free speech, and the only way to guarantee people that share your opinions are herd too.
    so that’s my 2c 😉

  23. Mike Cantelon

    @protester Those sites are all hosted by Resist.ca, so maybe the server just needs some love. If it is a cyberattack, however, we’ll likely know soon.

  24. Rob J

    Much of what I think should be said, has been. But, I should say that I agree that the issues of homelessness, just as a for instance, in our city should absolutely be looked at and addressed. But, as the song says, for everything there is a season. I think this applies to Olympic celebrations as much as it does to civil disobedience. The knowledge of when to engage in either of these is, I think, what is really being discussed here. And in my opinion, disrupting the celebration at this point is just petulant and passive aggressive. I fail to see how this makes life in our city any better. So, that cause – making life in our city better – is a lost one no matter how many Olympic routes get blocked.
    Thanks for the post, Steff!
    .-= Rob J´s last blog ..The Zutons Play ‘Valerie’ =-.

  25. Mike Cantelon

    @Rob
    re: “the celebration at this point is just petulant and passive aggressive”
    I think you’re missing the point that some of the protesters have, as a strategic objective, the goal of warning other potential host cities of the Olympic racket.
    The minor blips the protesters cause in the event are a minor inconvenience.

  26. Rob J

    With respect, Mike, I’m not missing anything.
    If the goal is strategic, I have to wonder who the audience of that message actually is. It’s certainly not the public at large in this city or other host cities who tune into broadcasts or show up to events to have fun. There aren’t likely to be very many people engaging in the issues you’d have them engage in when your disrupting their plans. Those “minor inconveniences” speak a great deal louder than any important issues purportedly attached to them. So, I have to wonder how much time has actually been put into the ‘strategy’. It seems like misunderstanding where one’s audience is coming from is just bad marketing.
    And protesting is really just about marketing after all.
    .-= Rob J´s last blog ..The Zutons Play ‘Valerie’ =-.

  27. Mike Cantelon

    @Rob
    Audience varies, but other potential host cities – which pretty much the world – seem key. Some folks will likely remember hearing of protests when Olympics tries to set up in their town and, upon researching, will find out that they’ll lose out dealing with this franchise. My guess is world viewers watching on television won’t enjoy them less because of protests: if anything they’ll likely be more entertained as people like drama.
    Strategic implications of not leveraging the event are not getting the message out.
    You’re right that protesting can be seen as marketing. Marketing the idea of preventing billions of taxpayer’s dollars from be transferred into private hands seems a good idea.
    Rather than choosing to perceive it as some sort of personal affront, you could think of the protests as a meta-sport: marketing of community ideas vs corporate-engineered, publicly-subsidized culture. 😉

  28. Kat

    I think the only Olympics that I actually was not very into and felt the need to boycott the watching of was Beijing. However, I still identify that my problem had less to do with the Olympics as a competition and more to do with how the CITY OF BEIJING chose to treat its citizens in lieu of “public image”.
    Personally I think that the Olympics are not the penis contest some people mistake it for. Yes, there is a spirit behind rooting for your own country and that pride may overtake you and turn YOU into a sore loser or winner about it. However that still comes down to the person and doesnt really say anyting about the ENTIRE EVENT.
    As far as the protestors, Im with your view 100%. I think protesting before the decision was made was constructive. However, sadly thier perspective did not win out when the votes were counted so any extreme form of outrage after that is whining. It makes them no better than the few sore losers that compete in the games (which the Olympics take good care to cancel out/eliminate when it has occasionally happened).

  29. stephen

    I couldn’t disagree more with SmuttySteff on most everything. Politics, worldview, you name it. But on this issue, she has hit the nail on the head and is absolutely correct. Her arguments are valid. The ‘anti’ are not.
    If the aim of a protest is to sway opinion, change minds, or even just draw attention to a cause, then once again, these ‘protesters’ (who really aren’t – they’re mostly ill-behaved malcontents) have again failed.
    They have no interest in changing minds; their interest is in having their own form of fun by smashing windows, scaring people, or whatever. And that’s fine. But let’s call it by its right name. It’s not protest; it’s masturbation.
    If civil disobedience is your thing, by all means, have at it. Want to disrupt the torch route? Awesome. Lie down in the street and block it.
    AND THEN FOLLOW-THROUGH BY GETTING ARRESTED, AND PLEADING YOUR CASE IN COURT!!!
    Those who suggest that these protesters are simply using their Charter-granted rights to ‘peaceful assembly’ have lost the plot if they don’t also recognize that the obligations that come along with using those rights have to be followed too.
    Hiding behind the charter (and a balaclava) to ‘protest’, and then tossing it aside like the McDonalds wrapper you so despise isn’t brave, or revolutionary, or following in the spirit of the real protesters like King or Ghandi. It’s spolied, childish behaviour that embarrases you, our city and country.

  30. Brit

    I can confidently say that, without the media coverage of protestors of Olympics, I would have never have known about the issues in Vancouver. So I would say that they have acheived something. And, in my experience, it’s rarely beneficial to a cause to just “shut up”, for any length of time. I was part of protests of Prop 8 in Salt Lake City, UT, causing disruption and protesting loudly over something that was already a done deal. Many gay rights advocates have stopped protesting now…many of us have just rolled over and taken it. And it’s the most depressing thing I have experienced in a long time. Sometimes fighting for a “lost cause” is better than not fighting at all.

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