National Equality March = Fantastic!

This Sunday, a few of us interns went to the National Equality March, decked out with signs, stickers, buttons, and of course tons of enthusiasm (which we supported with free coffee provided by the Human Rights Campaign.)

The main thing I can really say about the march is: WOW.
Marchers filled the streets all the way from the Capitol Building, around the White House, even all the way to the Human Rights Campaign building, essentially making the city stop to listen to our demands (though one bus tried to push its way through the crowd--we were highly amused).

While waving a rainbow-colored flag and taking pictures of the awesome signs and outfits, I wondered how many tens of thousands of people had come out to support the cause. According to Phil Siegel, a spokeperson for the march, more than 150,000 people showed up! (From the LA Times).

There were a lot of high-powered spokespeople: Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard and civil rights advocate; Cynthia Nixon, actress from Sex and the City; Lady Gaga, openly bisexual pop icon; and Dustin Lance Black, writer of the movie "Milk."

We cheered; we hoisted our signs up high; we shouted slogans like "Out of the closets, into the streets!" and "What do we want? Equal Rights! When do we want them? Now!" The mood was optmistic, but also impatient, as one sign said "Do we have equality yet? I'm tired from holding up these signs." Marchers nodded to each other with the recognition of similar goals: the end of DOMA, the elimination of Don't Ask Don't Tell, the introduction of hate crime legislation, and Federal laws allowing gay couples to marry.

I can't wait to go to my next march!

Photo Credit: Jason Pier on Flickr.com

Thousands of Gay Rights Supporters March in DC

Tens of thousands marched yesterday from the White House to the nation's Capital at the National Equality March in Washington, DC, in support of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender rights. March spokesman Phil Siegal, estimated the crowd at "more than 150,000" according to the Los Angeles Times.

Activist and blogger Corey Johnson told the the New York Times "I think this march represents the passing of the torch...The points of power are no longer in the halls of Washington or large metropolitan areas. It's decentralized now. You have young activists and gay people from all walks of life converging on Washington not because a national organization told them to, but because they feel the time is now." Dave Valk, a student coordinator for the march, also told the New York Times that "There are a lot of people getting involved not just because it's a gay rights movement but because it's a generational movement. People feel like they're part of a shift, that this is important."

Prior to the march, President Obama spoke at a Human Rights Campaign black-tie gala, where he reiterated his commitment to reverse the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that prohibits openly gay individuals from serving in the military and his support of abolishing the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits federal acknowledgement of same-sex marriages. Joe Salmonese, president of The Human Rights Campaign, in a statement following Obama's speech on Saturday night wrote "This was a historic night when we felt the full embrace and commitment of the President of the United States. It's simply unprecedented." The Human Rights Campaign gala and the march were two separate events.

However, the march also demonstrated a split in the gay rights movement and received variable support from activist organizations and government officials. Openly gay democratic Representative Barney Frank (MA-4) told the New York Times that "The only thing [marchers are] going to put pressure on is the grass," not the Obama administration.

Source: Feminist Daily News Wire

National Equality March

Drum circles, mixers, town hall meetings, film screening and more. This weekend's National Equality March promises to be a fun and informative event! Topics covered range from homeless and depression, to the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. With such a diverse repertoire this march is going to be an educational, yet thrilling experience—especially for all your Lady Gaga fans! As the new LGBT icon is scheduled to speak at the event.



Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Transgender people and others are marching for equal protection under the law. Because thus far, many continue to experience discrimination in their jobs or schools. They do not have the same protection under immigration policies or with marriage law, they cannot serve in the military openly, donate blood and more. Yet, every citizen supposedly has the same equal rights. Clearly, not everyone is equal under the law as some are more equal than others… so why are we willingly turning a blind eye and becoming the sheep in George Orwell’s Animal Farm?

Come out this weekend and join me at the National Equality March!! More details can be found at http://www.nationalequalitymarch.com/ .

Image Credit: VJnet on Flickr.com