Comments on: NOM in Charleston

By: Jim Burroway

Jim Burroway — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:05:29 +0000

Last time I was in Charleston (about 5 years ago), I noticed that they had a very lovely and reasonably lively downtown area. Unlike most major American cities, it isn’t exactly deserted. And West Virginia, as we all know, is a pretty religious, socially-conservative place. For NOM to have such a low turnout shows how truly ineffective they can be as an organization. I suspect their reputation for the wins in Maine and California are way, way overblown and undeserved.

By: Elisia Ross

Elisia Ross — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:01:54 +0000

I was there. I just read on prop8trialtracker that there was a hand-count of 146 equality supporters

By: Carrie Stone

Carrie Stone — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 20:46:20 +0000

“Attendance was estimated by one attendee to be ‘I’d say there were between 40 and 50 at the Fairness WV rally, but I’m not that good at estimating.’”

Actually, I was there and counted heads myself — AFTER I was done speaking and AFTER folks started leaving — I counted 77 people.

I believe there were at least 100 for the speakers.

It was awesome and uplifting!

By: Titus

Titus — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 20:27:37 +0000

It is important to recognize that the National Organization for Marriage has an extremely small staff, but a very large budget. They have no skills in bringing people out to rallies; their main skill is fund raising, and supplying this money to anti-equality causes. They should not be underestimated.

By: CPT_Doom

CPT_Doom — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:54:29 +0000

Just one more note on DC – they have announced the NOM speakers. In addition to Brian and Maggie, they have Walter Fauntroy, a Civil Rights legend and first Delegate to Congress from DC who has forever tarnished his image with his anti-gay activism. The only other DC politician listed as speaker is a “Commissioner.” By that they mean an ANC member – DC has Advisory Neighborhood Commissions throughout the city. Given that the entire City Council, except for Marion Barry of course, supported marriage equality, I am not surprised that NOM couldn’t attract other politicians. What is surprising is that Harry Jackson, the Maryland minister who has led the attack on DC’s equal marriage law, is not listed. Things that make you go hmmm.

By: CPT_Doom

CPT_Doom — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:51:53 +0000

I just signed up for the Facebook event on Sunday to counter NOM. The event was just announced a couple of days ago and there are already nearly 400 people signed up to counter-protest. Hope that it’s a good turnout for equality.

By: Jim Burroway

Jim Burroway — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 18:54:01 +0000

Yep. I’m bored. And if NOM can’t stir up any excitement in West Virginia, that’s really saying something.