“… Oh, it doesn’t matter what you wear, just as long as you are there.  “Dancing in the Streets,” a number one hit in 1964, wanted the world to be one big block party.

Two nights ago, 200 people took to the streets outside of now V-P Mike Pence’s rented house in Chevy Chase, Maryland to protest his anti-gay policies that have included voting against same-sex marriage and approval of “conversion therapy.” The latter is an attempt to convert gays to being straight, but has been outlawed in several states because not only is it ineffectual, but because it elicits guilt and depression in those who are trying to be converted in these religious camps.

Dancing to tunes of Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Madonna, the Facebook event was organized by WERK for Peace and Disrupt J20.  (In case, you’re wondering what Disrupt J20 is, it’s a protest group that calls for a bold mobilization against today, the Inauguration Day, January 20). The dancers did not actually reach Pence’s house, but the crowd, dressed in rainbow colors and sequins, made their point: “Daddy Pence, come dance.  We are here, we are queer, we will dance.”  This was a tame, but loud demonstration.  They could have thrown molotov cocktails at Pence’s house.

This is not the first time that Pence has been shamed.  During a November 2016 performance of “Hamilton” with his granddaughter in tow, Pence was booed by the audience at the theatre. After the show, with the cast on stage, Brandon Victor Dixon, who played Aaron Burr, read a note, “we wanted to stand up and spread a message of love and of unity. We are a diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us.  We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and work on behalf of us.”

Was it wrong for Pence to be called out in a public theatre?  Although Pence listened to the message and didn’t object, Trump, on the other hand, demanded an apology (which he never received) from the producers of the show for “bad behavior.” The theater was not the place to make a spectacle.

Pence was a gentleman and shrugged it off as he explained to his granddaughter “this is Democracy in action.”  But Trump will tweet for  the slightest “tit for tat” as he did with Meryl Streep. The lauded actress used her acceptance speech at the Golden Globes on January 8th to indirectly criticize Trump as she drew attention to the diversity of background in the arts as“just a bunch of people from other places.”

Although Trump was elected without my help or vote, perhaps we should show more class than he does at times.  Was it necessary for the Republicans today to boo Hilary Clinton when she and Bill sat two rows behind Trump at the Inauguration?  Isn’t it enough that she showed up haven’t lost the electoral college, but winning the popular vote?  Her gesture showed humility and class. 

On many levels, you can see why the LGBT population is afraid of the new administration: their voting records, their control of the Senate and the House. But remember that Obama credited with the first LGBT initiatives evolved.  His Vice-President Biden during a “Meet the Press” interview in May 2012 prematurely said that Obama was for gay marriage, almost forcing Obama’s hand to accept it. At that time, Obama was supporting civil unions and was still “evolving.”  Obama was not the only President who evolved.

President Bill Clinton signed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in 1994 before he evolved.

Let’s give Trump a chance.  Not only Presidents evolve but parents who initially aren’t accepting of their LGBT children evolve, the military has evolved.  Let’s hope for the best as we all grow and evolve.