WOOD 8 on Gay Pride Rally

Analysis:

The piece was about two and half minutes long and focused primarily on the rally as a statement of opposition against proposition 2, the so called “gay marriage amendment” that was voted into state law last year. The segment shows images of gay and lesbian couples exchanging vows on the steps of the state capital and three participants of the rally are interviewed. One of the people interviewed was a rally organizer, while the other was a man in a costume, prompting the reporter to say “they gathered to show support, some in costume, all with one goal in mind” despite the fact that this is the only person visibly wearing a costume is the various crowd shots. The number of participants is rather unclear since in the beginning of the piece the Anchor says that “dozens” of people participated while the reporter states seconds later that “hundreds” of people were present. A small group of counter protestors were also reported on, with one man being interviewed.

While the story does an adequate job of describing the message of this particular rally, no context is provided as to greater significance of Pride day historically throughout the country. This particular date of June 25 was not chosen arbitrarily for this rally, but has been, ever since 1969, the date of annual gay pride parades. These events commemorate the Stonewall uprising of 1969, when gay and transgender bar patrons resisted a police raid in New York, an event many consider to be the beginning of the gay rights movement. So while people were rallying in Lansing, celebrations of gay pride were happening across the country is cities such as New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle and Atlanta, as well as numerous smaller cities. This historical context of the Lansing Pride rally were completely left out of the News 8 story as were the fact that this was a national event, not just a local one.

Story:

Newsreader – Dozens of gay and lesbian couples took part in a commitment ceremony at the state capitol today, It was a response to the passing of proposal two last November defining marriage in Michigan as that between one man and one woman. Twenty four hour news 8’s Dan Bewley is back from Lansing where he met with organizers of today’s event.

Reporter – Rachel, some say that the ceremony is believed to be the first of its kind in Michigan as hundreds of gay and lesbian couples rally on the capital steps. Some to speak out for their civil rights, others to commit their lives to each other.

Minister – You may kiss your partner.

Reporter – Barbara Allen and Heidi Smith joined others from across the state, publicly committing to one another. This step the highlight of the day for Michigan’s gay and lesbian couples.

Sarah Mieras – We’re here to educate the straight community about who the lesbian and gay community really is.

Reporter – At the base of the state capital they gathered, showing support. Some in costume, all with one goal in mind.

Derek Ward – We’re celebrating pride; we’re celebrating ourselves being gay and our rights.

Reporter – The spark for the rally actually ignited last fall, an amendment to the states constitution officially banning gay marriage was passed by Michigan voters. Organizers say that ban regulates the gay and lesbian communities to second class citizens. Others disagree, protestors with signs both outside the rally and flying high above.

Brian Harris – They want special rights; they want rights people don’t have. Protection for certain kinds of sexual behavior, and we don’t have that and we shouldn’t have it at all.

Reporter – Those on the steps say the protesters are missing the point. Everyone they say should be able to choose who they share there life with.

Sarah Mieras – it’s about the right to have someone else’s pension who you have lived with for twenty years, it’s about the right to be their legal power of attorney, there are all these things over a thousand benefits of marriage.

Minister – And pledge our love and commitment to our life partners.

Reporter – And that brings us back to the ceremony. Those involved admit that it is not a legal marriage, just a public sign, complete with certificate, that two people are committed to each other.

Rally participant – I know it takes more than a piece of paper, it definitely takes love but we already have that so you know we want the right to able to be together forever.

Reporter – Organizers say they are going to keep fighting for gay and lesbian rights in Michigan and they say they hope one day to get proposal 2 reversed.

Total Time: 2 minutes, 24 seconds