I was taking pictures of the first few couples leaving the Manhattan City Clerk’s office yesterday when a total lunatic (let’s call him “Evelyn”) made himself known.
In the middle of Christine Quinn’s brilliant address, Evelyn started yelling at the photographers in a language nobody could understand. He clenched his hands and began banging on the press risers until a police officer escorted him away.
I thought Evelyn was long gone until I was over at the same-sex wedding of Rod and Ricky from the musical Avenue Q. Suddenly I heard the same incomprehensible yelps interrupting the ceremony. Yup, you guessed it. Evelyn—back in action. Where is the NYPD? When I turned around and saw the same mad man I knew I had to act fast. (I was out of rice so there was nothing to pelt him with.) Sure there’s Freedom of Speech and he had every right to be there acting all crazy face, but I wasn’t about to let him ruin this special day. I rolled up my sleeves, put on my best Wisteria Lane smile, marched right over to Evelyn and, rather than screaming back in his face, grabbed him by the arm and politely marched him down the path to Centre Street. As two officers approached him, he bolted like a bat out of hell.
Did anyone else spot Evelyn yesterday—or some other marriage-equality naysayer? Tell us in the comments.
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Photo of Evelyn by Jeffrey James Keyes
gregger
I yelled “shut the fuck up” at him which had the crowd laugh at him. He didn’t like that, too bad.
prohomo
@gregger: Right on, gregger, good for you (and us!)
christopher di spirito
Where is the NYPD? Probably sitting on their fat asses and eating donuts and keeping their distance. Cops aren’t our “fiercest advocates.”
gregger
@christopher di spirito: Actually the cops were there and react to him on the initial barrage of incoherence and after a second time. The problem was he was in public yelling as he was walking. Until he breaks a law there is little that police can do.
jp
Was he yelling things that didn’t make sense or was he yelling in a language that YOU didn’t understand?
I hate homophobes who speak any language but I also hate racists of any sexuality. Careful how you frame things.
David Gervais
I think the author’s respose to the Evelyn was the most appropriate possible. It was discrete and minimally intrusive.
Taliaferro
Poor deranged mental case – Evelyn. What mean old man jilted him and made him so hate filled and inarticulate?
David Ehrenstein
@David Gervais: I agree. Good work!
Steven
The fact that you pointed out he was loud is enough – but did you have to throw in the incoherent part? You didn’t understand what he blathering on about because you don’t know what language he was speaking. Maybe that’s your problem. I do agree that he shouldn’t have been there causing a scene but something tells me if he towered over YOU – you wouldn’t have bothered to step to him.
Don’t pat yourself on the back to hard…
velocifero
And I am tired of people like JP who are mired in poliical correctness and their limousine liberal 1990s world view. The man looks Asian to me or Hispanic. There I said it! And maybe he is trans!! Give JP a fainting couch now!! In either case, he/she is a classic case projection (I mean Evelyn) – a big self loathing ‘mo who really can’t deal with his/he own sexuality. Ruben Diaz would be so proud.
velocifero
And I am tired of people like JP who are mired in poliical correctness and their limousine liberal 1990s world view. The man looks Asian to me or Hispanic. Give JP a fainting couch now!! In either case, he/she is a classic case projection (I mean Evelyn) – a big self loathing ‘mo who really can’t deal with his/he own sexuality. Ruben Diaz would be so proud.
Marc
Ummm Steven, if someone yells, talks or mumbles at me in a language I don’t understand, that is indeed incoherent.
run along please.
Jimmy Fury
@Steven: One of the definitions of “incoherent” is “c : lacking normal clarity or intelligibility in speech or thought” intelligibilty means the ability to be understood.
So yes, if someone is yelling at you in a language you do not speak you can definitely state they are yelling at you incoherently.
It’s not a judgement call. It’s a statement of ones own ability to understand.
Jason
@JP: It’s racist to think that if you want to exercise your right to free speech, you should probably do so in a language that would actually effectuate the change you’re after?