Vice President-elect Mike Pence received dinner and a show Wednesday night, as pro-LGBT rights protestors danced outside his home.
The approximate 200 protestors blared their music in Pence’s neighborhood to ‘take the streets as their dance floor.’ Protest organizer Firas Nasr rallied the protesters, explaining Pence’s support of conversion therapy and his clear anti-LGBT record.
“We are here tonight to send a clear message to Daddy Pence that we will not tolerate bigotry and hate in our country,” said Nasr.
The group was filled with men, women, and gender non-binaries of all ages and orientations. As they flooded the neighborhood, protestors wove rainbow flags, shone with glow sticks, and shimmered in glitter. The demonstration appeared as a fun social event, with people sporting tutus, heels, and colored-spandex. To make the event even more fun, attendees brought glowing hula hoops, noisemakers, gold party hats, and snacks.
Many of the activists came from out of state, including Pennsylvanian Stephanie Fritsch, who had a specific message for the incoming Vice President.
“Get to know us. Talk to us,” she said. “I would want to speak to him one-on-one, just explain how it is to be a trans woman in this country, and tell him it can be hard and they are making it harder, trying to push us down.”
The protestors walked right before they reached Pence’s rental home. Once there, they chanted, “Daddy Pence, come dance,” to the rhythm of the music. Pence, however, was not home. He was at President-elect Donald Trump’s Inaugural Dinner at the National Portrait Gallery.
Despite his absence, the group continued to share their love for each other. Of course, taking frequent dance breaks to the music of Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston, and Beyonce.
As the scene turned an ordinary night into an extraordinary festivity, crowds approached the scene. While some merely watched, others provided snacks and cheered along.
During one of the dance breaks, Texas-native Lisa Fithian, explain she is protesting to show “that love will trump hate.”
“Mike Pence needs to find his heart and recognize that this is a country that needs to be loving and welcoming of everyone,” she said. “If they want to make America great again, we actually need to embrace humanity.”
