Fight the H8 Rally
2008
Organized by:
PA Diversity Network
Metropolitan Community Church of the Lehigh Valley
Muhlenberg College Gay Straight Alliance
The Fight the H8 Rally on November 16th in Allentown was attended by over 200 people!
Over 165 people signed letters to their State Representative in favor of the addition of sexual orientation and gender identity and to fight future Constitutional Amendments banning recognition of same-sex relationships. There were great speakers, terrific music, a very supportive crowd, great signs, good press coverage, and a get-together afterward at MCCLV for snacks and viewing of the PDN Photo Project.

The organizers of this event Liz Bradbury of PA Diversity Network, Rev. Beth Goudy of Metropolitan Community Church, and Adrian Shanker of Muhlenberg College's GSA thank speakers at the event (see list below), the musical group Neighbor Poem (featuring Hugh Trimble)
MCC's choir B.A.S.I.C., the volunteers who circulated the letters for signature, Silent Witness, Allentown Police, Allentown City for the use of Hamilton Mall, Philadelphia Gay News and many others for contributions, MCC members who provided sound equipment and snacks for after the event. And especially all those who attended!

see PA Diversity Network's pictures from the rally
*****CLICK HERE TO VIEW A 150 PICTURE PHOTO ALBUM
OF THE RALLY - CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO ENLARGE******

see John Morgan video from the rally of speakers and music
*****CLICK HERE TO SEE JOHN MORGAN'S BLOG
WITH VIDEO OF MOST OF THE RALLY******

see links to Morning Call and Express-Times news articles
*****CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PGN FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE FOR THIS RALLY
WITH LINKS TO ALL PRESS ARTICLES******

see video of WFMZ TV News report
*****CLICK HERE TO SEE A TV NEWS REPORT ABOUT THIS RALLY******

see Keystone Progress video
*****CLICK HERE TO SEE AN EXCELLENT SHORT VIDEO
OF PARTS OF THE RALLY*****




TIME AND LOCATION: THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH, 1PM TO 3 PM AT HAMILTON AND 7TH STREETS IN ALLENTOWN
Purpose:
***Make the public aware that Proposition 8 removed the civil rights of a minority group by using lies and misinformation.
***Remind the community that those who seek to remove the civil rights of minorities seek also to cause infighting among different minority groups, and that we must not succumb to these far right tactics, but instead work together for equal legal rights for all people.
***Gather together to gain strength from each other and learn what we can do to support and fight for civil rights efforts for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.
***To show support for the gay and lesbian families who have lost their legal rights due to Proposition 8.

There will be coffee, hot chocolate and desserts after the event at 3pm at MCCLV at 930 North 4th Street Allentown -- it is a chance to see the PDN Photo Project - 300 Same-Sex Couples: Fighting Inequality which is exhibited on the wall at MCCLV.

Organized by:
PA Diversity Network
Metropolitan Community Church of the Lehigh Valley
Muhlenberg College Gay Straight Alliance

Co-sponsors included:
Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley
PA Democratic Party LGBT Caucus
Lehigh Valley Rainbow Families
Interweave of UUCLV
Eastern Pennsylvania PFLAG
Panzee Press Magazine
Gay and Lesbian Organized Sports Society
Gentlemen of Berks and Beyond
Northampton Community College-
Gay/ Lesbian/ Bisexual- Student Union
Reading Pride Celebration
LEPOCO
I-Lead
Gay-Straight alliance of Keystone College
Diamonz
Keystone Progress
PGN

Speakers included:
Allentown City Council President, Mike D'Amore
Liz Bradbury, PA Diversity Network
Rev. Beth Goudy, MCCLV
Brian Jones, MCCLV
Adrian Shanker, Muhlenberg GSA
Rob Hopkins, PA Democratic Party LGBT Caucus and Greater Lehigh Valley Pride
Bar Johnston - Community Activist
Dave Moyer RN

Music performances by
Neighbor Poem (Featuring Hugh Trimble)
B.A.S.I.C. (MCC Choir)

In an effort to make this rally as inclusive as possible - a community Sign Language interpreter will be covering the event.