The evening of May 26 saw a crowd of 150-200 gather at Portland’s Salmon Creek Springs. They came by way of Facebook, blogs and Twitter. There were no organizers present; no prepared remarks, no calls for fundraising. There were however,  quite a few signs, an overall sense of unity and purpose, of course, and several television station cameras and reporters.

From somewhere in the crowd a bullhorn was produced. Basic Rights Oregon executive director Jeana Frazzini stood on a park bench and shared her feelings about the ruling of the California Supreme Court on Prop. 8. When she stepped down Oregon Stonewall Democrat leader Laura Calvo showed why she gets awards for leadership. Long-time activist KC Hanson shared moments of history with the largely younger crowd.

Finally, emerging leader Stephen Cassell took to the bench and started the crowd in the chant that led them from the park and down the streets towards Pioneer Square.

The evening was a perfect mix of experienced leadership sharing the moment with a younger grassroots  activist crowd.

And now? What comes next?