Terry, Rick and I all participated in this amazing show of community support and solidarity for freedom for all to love whom they want and express that love in public without fear.
From HRC Portland Political Co-Chair Gregg Moreland:
On Sunday, May 29, HRC Portland joined with Basic Rights Oregon, Q Center, Pride NW and Cascade AIDS Project, along with nearly 4000 people, to join hands in solidarity together across the Hawthorne Bridge in Portland. A week prior, two gay men in Portland were followed as they walked hand-in-hand across that bridge and were beaten simply because they were holding hands. Residents from all over Portland showed up on Sunday to walk across the bridge and join hands together, while the Beatles song, “I Want to Hold Your Hand” was played.
Portland Mayor, Sam Adams, proudly wearing an HRC sticker on his jacket, spoke about the need for all of us to live in a city and a state with the most equal opportunity for everyone. Everyone who spoke pointed out the need for everyone, of all walks of life, to be able to love who we want to love in a safe environment so that no one should have to live in fear.