Oregon high school junior confronts anti-gay haters, launches beautiful counter-protest

[eridani]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/05/21/1386614/-Oregon-high-school-junior-confronts-anti-gay-haters-launches-beautiful-counter-protest



Makaila made her sign and held it right next to the men. Which did not make them happy. They responded in typical bigot fashion:

The two men, said Makaila, began insulting her personally. “They were calling me names, and asking my mom questions, like, "How many times did you have to get an abortion before you were able to have your daughter?" and saying, "You’re going to burn in hell right along with your daughter." The things they were saying were just awful, but I didn’t let them faze me.”

She certainly didn't let the verbal abuse faze her. And her bravery was rewarded--with more supporters. People started showing up with pro-equality signs, food, flowers, and money for drinks. What began as one courageous and outspoken girl's stand against hate blossomed into a counter-protest that approximately 45 people participated in, by Makaila's estimation. She and her group decided not to leave until the bigots left. They continued to gain support from people in the town:

Throughout the evening, several local pastors showed up to tell the two men that they do not represent all Christians and “that everyone is loved by God,” said Ragan. “It was nice getting all that support from people from all over.”

Ragan and her group decided they wouldn’t leave until the two men did, and so they stood on the corner of the busiest intersection in downtown Tillamook cheering with every honk of support or wave they received from passing motorists until well past dusk. “I was there from 4 until about 10:30,” she said.

At that point, the men left, and the pro-gay group also dispersed. But the event inspired something greater in Tillamook. During the protest, the Tillamook for Love Facebook group was launched, which at the time of this writing has over 400 members. And if you visit the page, you'll see that Makaila plans to stage another demonstration in support of LGBT people in the same spot.