Taking Side by Kathleen Knowles

Author:Kathleen Knowles [Knowles, Kathleen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781626398771
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2017-07-17T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

At a crowded table inside a café that displayed the This Business Serves Everyone sticker prominently in their window, Trevor, Gail, Pam, and Wendy had a much-needed meal and a little time off their feet.

“I’m so proud of the Hoosiers,” Wendy said. “They’ve really come through. Not just the rally today, but with everything. We’re not intolerant hayseeds, and we’re showing the world.”

Trevor grinned. “Nope, you’re not. That’s what’s so wonderful about this. I admit I had a sort of image of Indiana that wasn’t too far from what you just said. I envisioned IERA as a brave little band of queers fighting the huge tide of bigotry.”

“Well, that is what we are, for sure,” Wendy said. “But we’re not as alone as I thought. You know, the one thing that surprised me the most was that every single major newspaper in the entire state of Indiana has editorialized against RFRA. I never, ever thought anything would get those guys on the same side, but this did. It was awesome. It’s all awesome.” She shook her head in wonderment.

“Progress is made in a lot of different ways,” Trevor said. “It’s never just any one thing that’ll make a difference. Right now, those politicians are looking pretty stupid. Wendy, has any one of your moles in the statehouse given you info about what they might be planning?”

“Not yet. Bosma and Pence are still trying to claim the law isn’t about discrimination.” Wendy’s tone was dismissive.

“How many more companies have to pull their business out of Indiana to convince him?” Trevor asked, rhetorically.

“Shush, you two. Give it a rest for maybe five minutes,” Pam said. “My favorite sign at the rally was the one that said, ‘Straight Dudes 4 Gay Rights.’”

“I saw that one!” Gail said. “Hilarious. And very sweet. The homemade signs people brought were so cute. And the people with their children. And I’ve never seen so many rainbow flags in one place in my life.”

“I know. Lot of Indiana flags too.” Trevor gazed at them fondly, like a doting parent.

Wendy took a call and, when she returned, said, “Police estimated three thousand people showed up. I think it was more. What about you, Trevor?”

“Hard to say, but police estimates are usually too low. Maybe four thousand?”

“It was definitely our biggest rally ever,” Wendy said. “I was blown away. And you!”

She looked at Gail, who offered an innocent smile.

“You’re a closet rabble-rouser. I never knew. It took Trevor to bring that out, I guess.” Wendy’s voice held a hint of regret.

Trevor caught Gail’s eye. She had been remarkable. Offered a sudden challenge, Gail had stepped up in a major way. When Trevor thought about the shy, silent woman who’d showed up to volunteer six weeks ago, the contrast between that Gail and the Gail of today took her breath away. She wondered what Gail thought, but she’d find out later when they were alone. Whenever that would be. It was going to be another nonstop day.

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