MINNEAPOLIS: Muslim Women Stage "Head-Scarf Flash Mob" At RightOnline

On Thursday night, I happened upon the tail-end of an incident outside the SEIU party in which a man was arrested for allegedly threatening Muslim women. I saw the man being handcuffed and though little more of it until tonight when about a dozen headscarf-wearing Muslim women (and their allies) "flash-mobbed" the lobby of the Minneapolis Hilton in reaction to (as yet, unconfirmed) reports that the arrested man was an attendee of RightOnline.

After the women left under hotel security escort, AmericaBlog author John Aravosis fielded increasingly angry questions from RightOnline attendees. Dan Choi, of course, glommed onto the scene and when I left he was still refusing to leave and had begun glad-handing baffled RightOnline attendees as they came off the escalators, shaking their hands and saying "God bless you beautiful Americans! God bless the Fair Tax!" Ugh. Here's my clip.

Resurrection Flash Mob

Clip description: "More than 2,000 people from Second Baptist Church, Houston, Texas, gathered at Discovery Green in the heart of Houston to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The purpose was to proclaim the resurrection of Jesus Christ in a powerful and celebratory way." Jeebus loves Auto-Tune!

(Source)

Flash Mob Wedding

In mid-December a couple staged a flash mob wedding at Boston's Prudential Center. Stick around for the vows at 4:00 when the pastor includes gay couples as those deserving of marriage and love.

SYDNEY: Kylie Minogue Flash Mob

Featuring local drag stars Joyce Maynge and Auntie Mavis. Huge number of participants by the end and they even use a snippet of my favorite Kylie track.

Welcome Back Flash Mob

Yet another cornball cheesy corporate cash-in on a years past its due date meme. Agreed? Well, fuck you. It's been a shitty week and this made my grinchy heart hurt.

(Tipped by JMG reader Jerry)

Philadelphia Opera Flash Mob

Clip description:

On Saturday, October 30, 2010, the Opera Company of Philadelphia brought together over 650 choristers from 28 participating organizations to perform one of the Knight Foundation's "Random Acts of Culture" at Macy's in Center City Philadelphia. Accompanied by the Wanamaker Organ - the world's largest pipe organ - the OCP Chorus and throngs of singers from the community infiltrated the store as shoppers, and burst into a pop-up rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's "Messiah" at 12 noon, to the delight of surprised shoppers. This event is one of 1,000 "Random Acts of Culture" to be funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation over the next three years. The initiative transports the classical arts out of the concert halls and opera houses and into our communities to enrich our everyday lives.

On the downside, Macy's is already completely tricked out in Xmas dreck.

NEW YORK: Hundreds Stage "Homophobia Kills" Die-In At Grand Central Terminal

Paul Schindler reports at Gay City News:

Several hundred LGBT New Yorkers gathered at Grand Central Terminal during evening rush hour on Friday, October 8 to conduct what organizers called a “Flash Mob: Homophobia Kills Die-In” in the center of the main concourse of the nation’s busiest transit hub. Several minutes after 6, activist Alan Bounville brought his fingers to his mouth to issue a loud whistle signaling the start of the action. A crowd of at least 300 immediately laid down on the floor, as Bounville and others unfurled a 12-foot by 12-foot yellow banner reading: END HOMO/ TRANSPHOBIC APARTHEID IN AMERICA.”

The crowd created a blockade for thousands of commuters rushing to and from the subways and Metro North commuter trains in the terminal. Police ordered participants to disperse or face arrest, while Todd Fernandez and Eugene Lovendusky read the names of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender victims of murder or of suicide prompted by bullying and violence. As the men called out each victim’s name, those on the floor shouted back the first name. As planned, after about three or four minutes on the floor, participants got back on their feet, and for several more minutes Fernandez, Lovendusky, and other organizers led the crowd in shouts of “Civil Rights Now.”

Two of the protest's organizers from Queer SOS! were arrested and released shortly after with desk appearance tickets.

SAN FRANCISCO: "It Gets Better" Flash Mob To Film In The Castro On Sunday

JMG reader Matt Baume writes us to announce an It Gets Better flash mob to be filmed in the Castro on Sunday. San Francisco will be jammed for Folsom Street Fair this weekend so if you're attending the fair, please consider participating in the shoot first. Here's the event's Facebook page.

NOTE: This Sunday there will also be a marriage equality protest walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. The Castro flash mob is timed to begin upon the return of those participating in the walk.

Attack Of The Flash Mob

Sydney Vogue Flash Mob

In Sydney's historic Queen Victoria Building with drag star Joyce Maynge.

Anti-Target Flash Mob

(Tipped by JMG reader Aaron)

SF Pride Flash Mob Performs Grease

(Tipped by JMG reader Steve)

Flash Brindisi

NYC: Marriage Proposal Flash Mob

The girl is the middle thinks her boyfriend just wants to slow dance with her in the park.

SAN FRANCISCO: Gay Flash Mobbers Use Gaga To Protest For Workers Rights

Finally, a great flash mob. Clip description:

A flashmob infiltrates the Westin St. Francis hotel in San Francisco and performs an adaptation of Lady Gaga's song "Bad Romance." The event was organized to draw attention to a boycott called by the workers of the hotel who are fighting to win a fair contract and affordable healthcare. Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer activists put the song and dance together as a creative way to tell the hundreds of thousands of LGBTQ people from all over the country coming to San Francisco in June for Pride to stay out of the boycotted hotels.

The hotels on the boycott list can be found here.

Seattle Glee Flash Mob

Yeah, yeah, I recently ragged on flash mobs as so ovah, but this one was created by a gay PR firm in Seattle to promote Glee, so I guess it gets a pass. One Degree Events also promotes Seattle's Pride Fest.