Plans for tomorrow’s National Protest are shaping up all across the country, including all over Texas.

Here’s what we know so far:

  • The National Protest against the passing of California’s Prop 8, as well as three other anti-gay ballot measures will happen simultaneously, tomorrow, Saturday, November 15, 12:30pm CST, our time (10:30am PST, 11:30am MST, 1:30pm EST, oh, and 8:30am Hawaii). In Austin, the protest takes place at Austin City Hall. And, yes, there will be FREE PARKING in the city garage.

  • Nationally, the momentum has been stoked by an ingenious, totally grassroots, web-based movement called Join the Impact. Started by a loose-knit group of web designers, spearheaded by young activist Amy Balliett, Join the Impact features a wiki for use by local organizers who want to join in. The Texas wiki page, which, by Monday had Austin, Dallas, and Houston listed, now lists six more Texas cities!

  • Here in Austin, local activists have secured a permit for the gathering and local gay-rights groups, though not organizing the event, will be out in force:

  • Atticus Circle will have gay ally T-shirts (a special version of the super cool Gay? Fine By Me! shirts: Gay Marriage? Fine By Me!) for sale, reminding us that we have friends we can rely on in this struggle, and giving you an early holiday shopping opportunity for fabulous gifts for all your gay-supportive friends and family members. Your dad will look great carving the tofurkey in this.

  • And Equality Texas has put out a call for Austin couples married in California to speak. There is rumor of a couple’s 10-year-old son speaking on our behalf. (!)

  • Local gay cowboy bar Rusty Spurs will open early tomorrow, 11am, to encourage a community gathering before the protest and dance club the Cockpit offers water, ice, and parking for the event.

  • And of course: Look for your friendly neighborhood Gay Place, too, and come say HI!!! and ask if I still have free passes to the Milk premiere.

    • This article appears in November 14 • 2008.

    A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

    SUPPORT US