The Queer Justice League of Atlanta, Georgia Equality and MEGA Family Project are set to hold a rally and counter-protest to an anti-gay marriage group’s planned demonstration in Atlanta.
The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) will make its way to the Georgia Capitol on Saturday, Aug. 7, as part of its national “marriage tour.”
The “Love + Commitment = Marriage” rally will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Woodruff Park, while a demonstration will be held at the front of the Georgia Capitol from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. when NOM will be at the Capitol holding its rally.
The timing for NOM’s visit to Atlanta falls on the heels of a federal judge striking down Proposition 8 in California that banned same-sex marriage and a Prop 8 rally held in Midtown to celebrate Wednesday’s ruling.
From a Queer Justice League press release:
Jeff Schade, with The Queer Justice League of Atlanta states, “This rally is a chance for our community to speak on the power of marriage, and why marriage equality is such an important issue.”
Georgia Equality Executive Director Jeff Graham added that, “This isn’t just a response to NOM, but a chance to celebrate and honor the commitment and love that we have for our spouses and partners. It’s also an opportunity for everyone, whether in a relationship or not, to take a stand for fairness and equality.”
Organizers have asked the community to gather at Woodruff Park, located between Peachtree Street and Park Place in downtown Atlanta. The rally is planned to begin at 12:30 p.m. with several speakers expected to address the crowd.
Rick Westbrook of The Queer Justice League noted there will also be a silent demonstration following the “Love + Commitment = Marriage” rally in response to NOM’s event, scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Georgia Capitol building.
Said Westbrook, “We do not plan to shout anyone down, but we do feel that our community should show them what commitment is, and what ‘marriage’ truly is about.”
View pictures of Wednesday’s rally here and video of the celebration including interviews with local activists here.