Colorado Third Grader Organizes Rally For Gay Marriage (VIDEO)

A few days ago, I posted on the latest advertisement from anti-gay Mummenschantz troupe National Organization for Marriage, which suggested that the children -- THE CHILDREN! -- were all terribly confused by gay marriage, maybe because the adults trying to explain it them were the people from the National Organization for Marriage, maybe? Who liken gay marriage to tornadoes that threaten small businesses and priests, or something? Yeah, I'd be confused, too!

I saw this video of Ethan McNamee, a third-grader from Denver, Colorado, who organized his own rally in support of same-sex marriage, and if you ask me, he comes across as pretty coherent! Here's McNamee's story, via the local ABC News affiliate:

Ethan McNamee arranged the rally as an independent class project.

He was concerned about the issue after hearing about anti-gay remarks on the playground and then learning about a same sex couple in his neighborhood that couldn't get married.

"Everybody is different in a good way," he said.

Ethan believes that if two people love each other that is the only issue to be considered.

Ethan took it upon himself to arrange the rally and line up the guest speakers. He admitted it was more work then he thought it would be, but adds it was fun.

[WATCH]

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Comments

[wvicens]

This gives me faith in the fight for what is right is always worth it. Thank you brave young man!

[Lis Boyer]

Ethan is an inspiration! Let the children lead the way!

[Joe Moore]

I have faith in the younger generation to grow up with this kind of view. As the older generations die off, this will become less of a struggle for equal rights and more the accepted norm. Just as interracial marriage is viewed by my generation as a non-issue, so will Gay Marriage by the next generations.

Way to go kid! And Way to go Parents for instilling compassion into your children.

[njb444]

See how confusing gay marriage is to kids?

[Tulka2]

Way to be on the right side of history, Kiddo.

[wilray]

Sign Steven Cozza's Petition

http://www.scoutingforall.org/data/layer02/pdf/stevenspetition.pdf

[backinstolaf]

What a cool kid and he must have some great parents too. It is amazing how a childs simplicity often puts things into such razor sharp perspective. "Everybody is different in a good way" - what an honest, true and accurate statement. His parents should be really proud of him.

[TazoWolf]

What a brave boy. While I'd normally have reservations about someone so young making such a stance about a topic like this, after further researching his background and why he did this, I can only admire little Ethan.

It wasn't just the incident on the playground that led to this. He has a couple of neighbors who are lesbian, and knowing them as he does, feels it unfair that they can't marry like heterosexual couples, and enjoy the same benefits.

Here's the story that delves into the background and what led Ethan to make such a stand.
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_12387580

[wilray]

At age 12, Steven Cozza started the anti-discrimination group Scouting for All. Although Steve is heterosexual, he believes that boy scouting should be available to all regardless of sexual orientation. Steven, now 24, is an elite road bicycle racer, and he maintains Scouting for All, the organization that he founded.

http://www.oasisjournals.com/Issues/9806/profiles.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Cozza
http://www.scoutingforall.org/data/archives/articles/2005080302.html

[wilray]

Steven Cozza's experience was documented in the 2001 Sundance award winning film "Scout's Honor"

http://scouts-honor.com/synopsis.html

[Joanne Robrahn]

First--my birthday is March 3rd, too! HUH.(Of course I was born 32 years before you) . You sound like a great person!

[pakaal]

I remember seeing photos of little kids at White Supremacist rallies, and remember thinking at the time, "Geez, don't drag kids into these issues." Yep, big difference in subject matter, but same kids. I'm honestly torn on this story. Sure, to me that's exactly the way the kid should be thinking - equality. He's right. Maybe it's idea of having him out there in front of a controversial issue, at the ripe old age of what, nine?

[wilray]

You should probably torn that someone was making anti-gay remarks on his playground, not the fact that Ethan decided to act on his conscience at an early age. Ethan's parents didn't drag him anywhere. He is a precocious child who decided to take action on what he considered an injustice against his neighbors. He reminds me of 11 year old Jack Davis, ABC person of the week, who changed the Florida law regarding food donations by restaurants. Out of the mouths of babes

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/PersonOfWeek/story?id=4123327

[SD Indy]

Had you watched the video of the news report which can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQ_ZMrA3OSw you would see that he is adamant that this was 100% idea and absolutely no one elses.

[Joanne Robrahn]

Except the difference may be that these are probably his feelings on the subject and this is a good, moral issue. : )

[green108]

This kid is awesome! And his parents are obviously awesome as well. His speech made me cry. The compassion and understanding he has. A lot of the Christians in this country can take a lesson from this boy in what it means to love thy neighbor and do unto others.

[Coinyer101]

he has more gonards than any of our elected officials.

[progressivelady]

he's parent's are doing a fine job raising him, what compassion he ahs for other people, I hope he alway's remain's very open hearted

[Pupadup4oBama]

Future POTUS 2040!!!

You go Ethan....I'm so glad to know there are bright, caring kids like him out there.

[Pax Romano]

This kid has got more guts and chutzpa than most adults. Rock on Ethan!

[green108]

And smarter and more insight than some as well.