Activism, Vegas style

So much for that Vegas gay apathy. The Nov. 15 same-sex marriage rally at The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Las Vegas Nov. 15 was most publicized for a surprise speech given by comedian Wanda Sykes, who announced for the first time in public she was gay and married. But the real news was the turnout. Roughly 1,500 people stormed the east end of the Commercial Center in a show of non-confrontational protest and national solidarity, coming toward the end of a day where an estimated 300 U.S. cities were staging peaceful demonstrations against recent state constitutional amendments banning gay marriage. “I think every gay person I know is here,” said a lifelong Nevadan with only a little hyperbole.

Organizers opted for a rally-style gathering as opposed to a straightforward protest/march because they sought to stimulate the community’s long-term participation in raising awareness and promoting equal rights. Several speakers drove this point home, including Sykes, who was so angered by the passage of Proposition 8 — which reverses a court decision to allow gay marriage — in her home state of California that she could no longer keep neither her outrage nor her sexuality a secret. Though the crowd had been enthusiastic for the entire rally, it was particularly fired up during Sykes’ speech. She then joined the throng as they lined up alongside the south side of Sahara Avenue and sought the attention of passerbys.

Earlier in the day, around 80 protesters — mostly under the age of 25 — gathered in front of City Hall as part of a national campaign to have people demonstrating all over the country at the exact same time. Though it had nothing to do with the rally held later in the day, the sentiment and enthusiasm was identical. Even after an hour of sign-waving, a chant-heavy breakaway group of about 30 marched up and down Fremont Street Experience, where a visiting middle America got a dose of Las Vegas’s burgeoning activism.

Check the upcoming issue of CityLife for further coverage.