Tucson Observer: Rally Tomorrow in Tucson

Community March and Rally:
Celebrate All of Our Families with
FAMILIES YOU KNOW
El Presidio Park and La Placita Village, Downtown Tucson

Wingspan is sponsoring a march and rally on the evening of Friday, November 14.

Date: Friday, November 14

5pm: Assemble at El Presidio Park (115 North Church St., on the Plaza in frontt of City Hall)

5:45pm to 7pm: Rally and March to La Placita Village (201 Church St., Tucson) steps off

6:30pm: Official Presentation for Launch of FAMILIES YOU KNOW at La Placita Village (map)

7pm: Folk fusion with Leila Lopez and band.
Free parking downtown after 5pm.

Cheer on the families in the first videos to be premiered that night! Gather with community to re-energize and renew bonds for the road ahead. We'll have supplies for making signs at El Presidio Park, or bring positive signs from home.

LOVE MAKES A FAMILY

WE'RE NOT HIDING ANYMORE

I LOVE MY QUEER _________.

SÍ SE PUEDE!

Make up your own positive motto or chant. Bring signs in languages other than English. Let's celebrate all of our LGBT families! Dress warmly, bring blankets, snacks, good energy for a great time.

We will no longer hide who we are for the sake of political expediency.

We will not take a back seat to poll-tested messaging.

We will rescue the definition of "family," which has been hijacked by the the forces of bigotry and homophobia.

We will use the passage of prop 102 to motivate us to be visible forces for change in our communities.

Now is the time for our community and allies to come together in mutual support, honoring the anger and disappointment we feel about the passage of Prop 102, and to heal.

Even more importantly, we need to channel our feelings, strengths and energy into a positive force for social change.

Key to this effort is Wingspan's FAMILIES YOU KNOW campaign, a video, photography and storytelling project that empowers you to change hearts and minds through sharing your family stories.

We will officially launch FAMILIES YOU KNOW at Friday's event.

Why? Because the narrow definition of "family" espoused by Prop 102 supporters hurts everyone.

We know that families come in many forms, but what defines them is an unbreakable bond of trust, respect, and concern for each other's well being.

The FAMILIES YOU KNOW campaign will feature your families, in which one or more members is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or a straight ally, families where children, siblings, parents, grandparents, and friends are loved, respected, cared for, and nurtured.

Wingspan is excited to sponsor this dynamic, community-driven campaign.

You and your family are not just talking about "values," you're living them - balancing work and soccer practice, celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, sharing joys and sorrows.

With your help, we will raise awareness, confront prejudice, and begin a conversation in the community where all families are respected, valued, and not exploited for short-term political gain.

You can learn more about FAMILIES YOU KNOW and watch the first video here.