Subscribe to Breaking NewsVanasco: Are you going to the National Equality March?
I returned from the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival yesterday on a high about gay gatherings – to find a press release in my inbox about the National Equality March, to be held Oct. 11 in Washington, D.C.
From the release:
Equality Across America, the new grassroots network calling for Federal action to protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, has moved forward with plans for a massive national day of action on Sunday, October 11, 2009. Major national LGBT organizations including the Gay Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) have endorsed the march as have local and state grassroots organizations like Join the Impact Chicago, One Struggle One Fight and Freedom Democrats of Miami-Dade.
March organizers are also working on actions in all 50 states and calling on all who support our community to call their legislative leaders to press for change. But, more troublingly:
The exact route of march is still being negotiated with the DC authorities.
The march is only two months away. The route isn’t set yet?
I love big gay gatherings, marches, celebrations, protests. I love the energy that rises from them, the sense of committment to our cause, the feeling that we are not alone. But this march still feels rather ad-hoc to me. And I worry that thousands of people may show up without finding toilet facilities, or security, or organization.
And that would look very bad.
Then again, overproduction of marches, with attendant parties, corporate sponsorships and VIP tents sometimes make gay gatherings feel less like a grassroots, political enterprise and more like a commercial one.
Either way, my partner Jenny and I are going. And I met a bunch of women at Mich Fest who are going, too.
But how about you? Will you go? Do you think it’s a good idea? A terrible one? And what are the possible outcomes?
Although I plan on going, I have no place to sleep, eat or bathe. I will be coming to the DC area by bus, but will be there unless I have any health problems. See you guys there.
It’s a perfect idea.
We elected supposedly gay-friendly politicians at all levels of government and they are failing to address any of our issues in a timely and committed manner, as promised.
It is time for us to hold their feet to the fire, to grab the national echo chamber even if for a few short cycles. It is time to put our faces forward and demand our rights and respect.
This is an excellent way to accomplish those goals, and I urge anyone who is able to, to attend the march.
Interested in attending, but not sure we can afford it, and surely can’t afford to travel 2,000 miles for something disorganized or is not happening.
The official website has few details and like the author, it’s two months away!
We attending the millenium march in 2000 and there was much better organization. It might be the year to save our $ and attend a local march. However disappointing, but prudent in these economic times.
I agree with Steve Ault, that these efforts are best when organized with broad democratic process in planning conferences. Even so those who go will feel the power we generate when we gather in large numbers. Many of the details get lost when a few “important” people have all the power and responsibility. Here in Houston we will try to democratize the process as much as possible but it would have been nice to get invited to a conference before all the decisions were made.
I plan on going. Any opportunity to keep us in the forefront of people’s mind and remind people that we’re not going to the back of the bus any longer.
I will be there with you this day.
I come from Switzerland with a small group of friends. We know how the future of the rights of gay and lesbian comes from the United States!
We must fight for our rights.
Ps: Yes to gay marriage in Switzerland
Oh me and my fiancee will most definitely be there.
oh and yes i’m going
So Why isn’t this the main article for today? Does 365 and logo support this march, or just you, Mrs. Vanasco? Will this company/ webiste be advertising for it? So far, it seems like these influential, powerful, and educated gays don’t really give a shit if this things a success and I just don’t get it.
Its two months away, and this march seems like its on the bottom of our list of concerns, when I personally think its high priority.
Absolutely I am going. The gay rights movement is not just a collection of letter soup organizations you know. Private citizens are making change you don’t see, every day, every hour, every minute. It doesn’t get fixed by throwing money at the problem. We have to be out and visible and this march, hastily organized or not, can only be a good thing. I admire Cleve Jones and follow his advice. He was a leader of the social and political movement that changed San Francisco forever, a city that voted to reject prop 8 by 80%! This is a guy who knows what it takes, and going out into the streets “ad-hoc” is part of making change.
I’ll be there. I heard about this the day that Cleve Jones made the announcement about it, and have had intentions to be there since. I’m just waiting to hear *where* the event will actually take place before I go ahead and make my reservations. But I tell anyone and everyone I can who I know supports our cause to spread the word and GO if you can. Can’t sit by and wait for action with inaction.
Yes my husband and I will be attending the March on Oct. 11th. We will be travelling from California.
I am going
Even when events are thrown together, they can be effective. I have to wonder whether we would have made any progress from a racial equity perspective had everyone been concerned about toilets.
That being said, charasmatic leaders are few and far between in the GLBT community. It would be helpful if a natural leader were to attend and help to focus the efforts of the masses.
It is a GREAT idea. It beats just complaining about being 2nd class citizens. It is great for our community to come together. There are the nay-sayers but who cares – what are they doing? I booked my families travel plans several weeks ago which include our two daughters (ages 10/14). We don’t want the flashy productions…we want to fly into DC, go to the local market buy our poster boards, makes our signs, and march throw DC as a family along side hopefully thousands of others like us demanding justice, equality, and part of the American dream. If nothing else to the nay-sayers, this is one example/experience that I am thrilled to share with my two daughters!