“We are here, we are queer, and we will dance.”
By: Devin Randall
As we approach the inauguration of Donald Trump and enter a new age in America, it’s good to know that LGBT people will always be ready to protest… and to party.
Last night, a group of LGBT demonstrators and their allies got together to dance outside of Mike Pence’s Washington D.C. home. The Facebook Page for the event stated, “We plan on leaving behind [biodegradable] glitter and rainbow paraphernalia that he can NEVER forget. #WeAreQueer #WeAreHere #WeWillDance That's right, get ready to WERK it and tell Daddy Pence: homo/transphobia is not tolerated in our country!”
The peaceful protest was organized by WERK for Peace and Disrupt J20. WERK for Peace is a dance protest organization that sets up events like this one in order to gain awareness for LGBT issues. Their official website states:
“WERK for Peace is a queer-based grassroots movement that uses dance to promote peace. The queer community has always been at the forefront of promoting change, and from Stonewall to Pulse, dance is integral to our movement, and to our healing.”
As for Disrupt J20, their websites states that they’re, “supported by the work of the DC Welcoming Committee, a collective of experienced local activists and out-of-work gravediggers acting with national support.
We’re building the framework needed for mass protests to shut down the inauguration of Donald Trump and planning widespread direct actions to make that happen. We’re also providing services like housing, food, and even legal assistance to anyone who wants to join.”
Related: 5 things about Mike Pence you might not know
It was these two organizations that banded together to plan this dance protest outside of Mike Pence’s home. Those who joined the effort met earlier in the afternoon at a separate location like the Friendship Heights Metro station. From there, protesters marched for miles much like a GAY PRIDE parade while wearing festive accessories such as wigs, unicorn horns, glitter, and more.
Thankfully, the authorities did not see the event as a threat whatsoever, so there was no violence or bloodshed. Local Police and Secret Service members did stand by in case anything were to get out of hand however.
The night was spirited and gay with participants dancing to Queen, singing to Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” and chanting, “Daddy Pence, come dance.”
WERK for Peace founded Firas Nasr spoke to Fox5DC with his remarks about the event, “We had a dance protest in response to the bigotry and hate that Mike Pence purports through his policies and actions. We had hundreds of people come out to assert our bodies and space and state that we are here, we are queer, and we will dance.”
This is the second LGBT protest to happen outside of Mike Pence’s D.C. home.
Back in the start of December residents of the Chevy Chase neighborhood raised rainbow flags upon their homes in peaceful protest. Ilse Heintzen, one of the residents, told WJLA that it was, “A respectful message showing, in my case, my disagreement with some of his thinking.”
All of these protests against Donald Trump’s running mate are due to his openly anti-gay agenda.
Back in 2000, Pence’s website had this message which implied his support for conversion therapy, “Resources should be directed toward those institutions which provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behavior.”
Pence's spokesman later told The New York Times that such claims of Pence supporting conversion therapy were false.
Further back in 2010, Pence criticized the idea of repealing “Don't Ask Don't Tell,” which was a federal policy that banned openly gay Americans from serving in the military.
Then most recently, in 2014 Pence tried to ban same-sex marriages. He did this by working with conservatives in Indiana to amend the state constitution. These efforts were thwarted by state Democrats that fought the change.
Sadly, Pence was not there for the dance protest as he was attending an inaugural fundraiser at the National Portrait Gallery. This may have been peaceful protestors’ last chance to reach Pence and his family as they are planned to move into the Vice President’s traditional residence at the Naval Observatory post-inauguration.
