Makaila Ragan Takes A Stand

Makaila Ragan was coming by her mother’s workplace one day when she stumbled upon a couple of men on the street carrying signs condemning The Gays and, well, you know, burn in Hell … God hates you … die faggot … those kinds of sentiments.

So, she walked into her mother’s office and asked her mother, and her mother’s boss, if they minded if she made a sign and stood on the corner with the two men, and when they said ‘Yes’ she set about making her own protest sign:

I love gays.

And out to the curb she went, taking a spot on the sidewalk right next to the bigots, who, upon seeing her sign, began insulting Makaila:

“They were calling me names, and asking my mom questions, like, ‘How many times did you have to get an abortion before you were able to have your daughter?’ and saying, ‘You’re going to burn in hell right along with your daughter.’ The things they were saying were just awful, but I didn’t let them faze me.”

And it didn’t, because the longer she stood out there more and more people who agreed with Makaila came onto the sidewalk, carrying their own signs; some people even brought food, so the protesters didn’t have to leave to get a bite to eat, and others gave cash so they could buy themselves something to drink.

And then several local pastors showed up to protest alongside … Makaila … and to tell the two men that they do not represent all Christians and “that everyone is loved by God.”

 Makaila and her group decided they wouldn’t leave until the two men did, and so they stood on the corner of the busiest intersection in downtown Tillamook cheering with every honk of support or wave they received from passing motorists for over six hours; the two men finally left at 10:30PM and it was only then that Makaila and her group decided to go home also.

During the demonstration, several supporters launched the Tillamook for Love Facebook group, and hope to use it to keep their demonstration going … online and out in the world.

It wasn’t much that Makaila Ragan did; I mean, she could have been annoyed by the men and their signs and complained about it and then gone on with her day. But she didn’t; and other folks, who agreed with her, and disagree with hate could have simply waved and honked as they drove by, but they didn’t.

It isn’t worth it, sometimes, to complain and move on; sometimes you have to take a stand.

And a sign …

Tillamook County Pioneer

photos via Tillamook For Love and Romy Carter