Farmers' Market Update

After the Ericksons' rough experience manning the Farmers' Market "Yes on Prop 8" booth last week, Phillip and I expected to be tarred and feathered as soon as we set up the table today. Apparently everyone with an axe to grind got it out of their system last week, though, because our experience was almost entirely positive. The Clarks, who spelled us off around 6:00pm, reported a similar experience when we talked to them later.

One woman did call us liars and another yelled some things at us from a few yards away, but we didn't pay attention so she ran out of steam pretty quickly. The only other "No on 8" person who spoke to us was very courteous in his disagreement. All our other interactions were pretty positive.

Lots of people asked for bumper stickers, fact sheets, and even a few yard signs and posters. A few people had sincere questions we were able to answer. I found it helpful to explain that homosexual domestic partnerships have exactly the same rights as heterosexual marriages, and then to list some of the court cases that show the challenges we can expect over free speech, what gets taught in schools, etc., if Prop 8 doesn't pass.

Incidentally, the balloons we handed out to kids were a really big hit. We actually ran out of helium toward the end, and the folks at the Methodist Church table kindly allowed us to fill up our last balloons from their tank. The main Methodist balloon guy explained that he had already sent in his ballot and he voted yes on Prop 8, so we're on the same team. Amen, brother.