How Will Phillips Put the National Organization for Marriage In Its Place

by Michael Jones · 2010-08-16 06:14:00 UTC
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The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) finished their summer tour for straight-only marriage this past weekend, wrapping up their show in the nation's capital. For a tour that drew a host of publicity, turnout for NOM gigs was paltry (to say the least), no matter where they traveled. From Maine to Wisconsin to New Jersey, gay rights activists holding counter demonstrations routinely outnumbered NOM activists. Equality, it turns out, is far more popular than hate.

Perhaps as a symbol of how NOM's tour was mostly a public relations disaster, NOM's founder, Maggie Gallagher, decided to go on vacation instead of attend their last rally in D.C. That's some measure of confidence in your organization's work ... or not.

D.C. gay rights activists held a counter rally, formally known as "The Big Commit," where several city councilors key to passing marriage equality in the District spoke. But it wasn't politicians who stole the show on this day. Nope, it was an Arkansas student, Will Phillips, who made headlines last year for refusing to say the Pledge of Allegiance in his classroom until LGBT people have full equality under the law.

Now, Phillips is making waves again. But this time it's in comments made during yesterday's rally speech that put the National Organization for Marriage in its place. Think NOM represents the voice of the next generation?  Think again.

"[The National Organization for Marriage] wants to take away our choice. The storm is coming. But we have hope," Phillips said to cheers. "So mark my words NOM, and those who oppose equality. There is a storm coming. My generation will be the change you fear most in this world. We will have equality. We will change the world."

Check out the video of Phillips after the jump. Amazing speech, and a true indication that while NOM parades around the country in side-show fashion, each day they are closer and closer toward losing their argument that marriage should be a discriminatory institution.

Photo credit: YouTube

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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