Saturday  from 7 p.m. to about 11 p.m. EST, we will be live tweeting from the Obama speech at the HRC Equality Dinner and from the 365gay meetup near the Capitol.

Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. check in to our home page for a live group tweet – with photos and video – on the March and Rally.

Who will be tweeting?

Your favorite 365ers, including Ali Davis, James Withers and Jennifer Vanasco; Logo’s John Polly, Jon Mallow and Ray Hunt; and – wait for it – Gavin Creel, from the cast of Hair, and New York City Council Speaker and out lesbian Christine Quinn.

You will be able to comment in real time in the Twitter stream (we’ll be using CoverItLive – you won’t need a Twitter account, just a computer), answer poll questions and feel like you are there.

Well we made it. National Equality March Friday. Some of you are getting ready to head to Washington, DC. Others will remain home and do good deeds. There will be those at  their favorite bar in a  drunken haze complaining how once again the gay media failed because they just heard about the march.  And the rest will insist they are not gay while trolling the parks for some male booty. That last group always brings a little chuckle.

I have no idea what will happen these next two days. Can’t even  guess how many folk will show. Honestly all that matters is life on October 12 and after. Will this lead to a victory in Maine? Will we get concrete information on when DADT and DOMA will be dealt with?  If this march helps those goals, then happy day. If not, we got a problem and it might be time to consider keeping our eyes local.

My smallish ears will be  wide open though. You might, if you are good, get the occasional Tweet. And I’ll try to post stuff, but I have no laptop so that is not a promise in stone.

Drop by here if you are in DC and tell us what you think. If you don’t go,  share how your weekend is going and what you are doing. If you are in the park trolling, please take that mess somewhere else.

Feel free to say hello if you see me walking the streets of DC.

This time, I was on a date.

Apparently Edward Albee was thinking of this particular date when he wrote this line in “The Zoo Story”: “Sometimes a person has to go a long way out of his way to come back a short distance correctly.”

Marc, my date, wasn’t a New Yorker. He lives in Louisiana as well, in New Orleans, just two hours down the interstate from me. We were both visiting New York (Funny, no? You travel up the East Coast and end up getting moony over a guy who lives a car ride from you every other week of your life. Go figure.), and a Thursday lunch date and evening hang-out had made a second date something of a necessity, and that second date, which began early with breakfast at a nice little place at Union Square, had drifted by mid-afternoon to Central Park and the Bethesda Fountain.

The fountain was my idea.

For me, it was a Grand Symbolic Gesture – the arrival of something new springing up on the heels of something broken, being marked at a place that commemorates healing and rejuvenation, and as Grand Symbolic Gestures go in my life, this one was cut down to size by the impossible to control: rain.

Lots of rain.

Marc and I were stuck under the Terrace for almost an hour, listening to the rain (and a really great family band with a killer way around vocal harmonies), talking, getting to know each other. It was a nice way to spend an afternoon, minus the soggy shirts and hoodies.

Do I like Marc? Very much. Have I already mapped out an extensive future that includes Marc, a dog or two, maybe an adopted kid and arguments over who should be taking out the trash? Sure, it’s an inevitability with me, I have a tendency to follow a moment through all its possible conclusions, tracing a finger along the line this possibility makes across the map that is my life, seeing what destinations this road could take me to. And Marc smacks of possibility, in the best of all possible ways.

And isn’t that what we’re fighting for? Not marriage so much (although yes, we are fighting for marriage, we’re fighting for the paper and the rights and the name and the institution) but we’re really, when it comes down to it, fighting for possibility, for our lives to include, from the moment we’re born, the possibility of marriage as one of the many possibilities we can dream forward.

And not just marriage. The possibility of a welcoming house of faith. The possibility of a job we won’t lose because we’re gay. The possibility of a family we can create with our partner. Not being the victim of violence. Not being rejected by our parents. Not being bullied in school. An endless list of possibilities that we’ve somehow lived without.

When that is missing, when the hope is missing, the road that branches, the choice that can be made, our lives are lessened. And when possibility springs up in one place – when a interesting guy sitting next to you under the Terrace near the Bethesda Fountain leans over and kisses you on the cheek unexpectedly and laughs this distinctive chuckle that sounds one part mischief, one part contentedness – you suddenly want that possibility everywhere else. It fuels the fight.

Tomorrow, I’m driving to New Orleans to spend the day with Marc. I’m walking this road of possibility and seeing where it takes me. I’ll be thinking about the folks in Washington as the National Equality March, because regardless of what you think of the March, there’s going to be a lot of hopefulness there, people aching to find a little possibility to hang on to, and I hope they find it. And I’ll be thinking about everyone who finally owns who they are on National Coming Out Day (be brave, be steadfast, it’s not easy but it’s worth it!)

And I’ll be thinking about my friends Stan and Bruce, who after being together for 19 and a half years, went to Connecticut this weekend and got married. (God bless your union, may you have 20 more years, 40 more, infinite blessings and joys!)

Maybe I’m at the start of my 19 and a half years. Maybe not. Either way, I am filled with what’s possible, and it’s a wonderful feeling. The Angel Bethesda touched a foot on the Earth and a healing fountain sprang up. Marc kissed me on the cheek while waiting out the rain, and the wounds I’d been nursing were healed a bit as well.

The world is a wide open space. It’s ours. Let’s shape the most beautiful place we can.

(Las Vegas) Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is supporting the National Equality March (NEM) saying in a letter addressed to steering committee members, “I write to join in your commitment to ensure equality under the law.”  The letter was delivered on September 30.
 
“We are honored that Senator Reid has endorsed the National Equality March and our fight for full equality,” said Derek Washington, Clark County Nevada Democratic Black Caucus director and director of diversity outreach for NEM.  “Senator Reid is a man of his word and I believe he supports the LGBT community and our struggle for full federal equality.”
 
The full text of the letter follows.

Dear Members of the National March for Equality Steering Committee:
 
As you prepare to come to Washington, DC, for the National Equality March, I write to join in your commitment to ensure equality under the law.  As Senate Majority Leader, I will continue to work tirelessly to pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act and the Employee Non-Discrimination Act, as well as to repeal the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy.  I will also continue to advocate for funding of HIV/AIDS prevention treatment research and housing programs.
 
I believe that every American should be treated equally under the law regardless of religion, sexual orientation, gender, race or other forms if identity.  I see your struggle for equality as part of a larger movement for peace and social justice.
 
My best wishes to you.
 
Sincerely,
 
Harry Reid
United States Senator
Nevada
 
A PDF copy of the letter can be seen here: http://equalityacrossamerica.org/blog/?p=5265

Bond likens the National Equality March to the Civil Rights March of 1963.   “We had a dream and marched on Washington to demand our rights; I am proud to stand with the LGBT community as they march for theirs,” he said.
 
St. Olaf college student Richard Aviles will be speaking on behalf of student activists from across the country, who have organized for the march and are descending on Washington.
 
Also speaking will be Judy Shepard, who lost her son Matthew to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate and who founded the Matthew Shepard Foundation in his memory. The Foundation is dedicated to working toward the causes championed by Matthew during his life: social justice, diversity awareness and education, and equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
 
Following is a complete listing of speakers to date.
 
Stuart Applebaum
Richard Aviles
Jarret Barrios
Dustin Lance Black
Julian Bond
Marsha Botzer
Staceyann Chin
Lt. Dan Choi
Tanner Efinger
Hawaii Board of Education Member Kim Coco Iwamoto
Cleve Jones
Michelle Lopez
Robin McGehee
David Mixner
Nicole-Murray Ramirez
Chloe Noble
Tobias Packer
Reverend Troy Perry
New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn
Los Angeles Council Member Bill Rosendahl
Babs Siperstein
Judy Shepard
Maxim Thorn
Urvashi Vaid
Derek Washington
Falls Church City Council Member Lawrence Webb
Kit Yan
Kip Williams
Sherry Wolf

The march will be the first step toward a larger goal of creating a national movement – the 50 State Legislative Outreach Campaign — in all 435 congressional districts to demand of elected representatives full equality under the law.

“The march is just the beginning,” said McGehee. “We are not expecting to wake up on Monday morning with a federal bill on the presidents desk to sign.”
 
“We will no longer be told to wait. This march is our chance to demand full equal protection under the law, and it will help us realize the dream of Equality Across America: a committed group of grassroots activists in all 435 Congressional Districts,” added Williams.

So the march for equality is gaining steam. People are dusting off their slogans, ready to get their national protest on and show some moral outrage. Cool (well not really but I’m an innocent bystander in all of this); however, here is a question rally attendees should ruminate on: why are event organizers not paying attention to the local gay community that has done the trench work to form a coalition in support of marriage rights?

Actually a larger question is why is the District getting no national love for its progress on gay marriage. Sure everyone had much ink to spill on California  and the failure of Proposition 8, but the nation’s capitol, a southern town with a sizable black population, is spitting distance from marriage equality. It would seem an easy call that any national rally in support of gay rights would be looking to DC folk for a few tips. It might be an easy call, but it wasn’t made and local marriage rights advocates are planning their own outreach efforts come October 11.

I will gladly defend the organizers of the march from unfair charges (complaining they didn’t get the word out is out of touch), but to plan a  gay rights rally and not talk to the local community, working on the same, is hubris.

1. Never thought I would see director Roman Polanski in handcuffs.

2. What does it mean that Bill Clinton now supports gay marriage?

3. If any old head goes on some “the young these days” rant, tell her to put a sock in it. The kids are going to be all right.

4. Any Detroit Lions fans out there?  How ya feeling this morning?

5. Looks like the police from  New York City are dropping the ball when it comes to protecting and serving the gay community.

6. RIP Bill Safire.

7. Can’t lie. Shocked that Michael Steele is still the head of the RNC. Was convinced he would be gone by now.

8. October 11 is barreling down on us. Any ideas on how many show up?

9. Bronx’s favorite daughter, Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor, threw the ceremonial pitch at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. This year could only get better for the associate justice if the Yankees, she’s a fan, win the World Series.

10. You know New York governor David Paterson is in trouble when he can’t get love from a sports columnist.

From the Equality March:

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies who gather in Washington DC during the October 9-11 weekend for the National Equality March will have plenty of opportunities to demonstrate, collaborate and commemorate.  Event organizers released today a lengthy slate of workshops, seminars, rallies, prayer services, memorial ceremonies and family events associated with the first large-scale demonstration for equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to be held in Washington DC since 2000.
“We’re not just joining together to demand equal protection in all matters governed by civil law,” said Tanner Efinger, event coordinator for the March.  “We’re also coming together to organize, to strategize, and to give and receive training in how to bring about the change we demand.”
Following is the list of events planned for that weekend:
Friday, October 9
Operation Shine Luncheon and Meet N’ Greet, Hosted by Sasha Bruce Youthwork, Wanda Alston House and SMYAL
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/660-dc-shine-hosted-by-sasha-bruce-youthwork-wanda-alston-house-and-smyal
Homeless Youth Speak Out
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/671-homeless-youth-speak-out
National Center for Transgender Equality Mixer
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/667-ncte-mixer
Saturday, October 10
Impact Youth Events, sponsored by the Trevor Project
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/673-impact-youth-events-sponsored-by-the-trevor-project
HRC Welcome and Action Center
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/684-hrc-welcome-and-action-center
Repealing DADT: Lobbying Tactics
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/659-repealing-dadt-lobbying-tactics
GLAAD Media Training
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/662-glaad-media-training
SMYAL Leadership Conference “Stand up! Get Loud!”
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/669-smyal-leadership-conference-stand-up-get-loud
Ecumenical Prayer Service
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/661-ecumenical-prayer-service
Wreath Laying at Arlington National Cemetery
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/656-wreath-laying-at-arlington-national-cemetery
Workshop on Faith Communities & LGBT Justice Campaigns
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/664-workshop-on-faith-communities-lgbt-justice-campaigns
Memorial Service Honoring Leonard Matlovich
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/685-memorial-service-honoring-leonard-matlovich
Candidate Recruitment Training, Sponsored by the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/697-candidate-recruitment-training-sponsored-by-the-gay-lesbian-leadership-institute
Camp Courage
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/658-camp-courage
Soulforce ~ Nonviolent Resistance for Social and Economic Justice
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/670-soulforce-nonviolent-resistance-for-social-and-economic-justice
Milk & Cookies, Family Event
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/666-milk-cookies-family-event
Trans-History Workshop
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/672-trans-history-workshop
The Struggle for LGBT Liberation with Cleve Jones & Sherry Wolf
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/683-the-struggle-for-lgbt-liberation-with-cleve-jones-sherry-wolf
Equality To End AIDS HIV/AIDS Rally and Vigil
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/663-hiv-aids-gathering
Youth Dance
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/674-youth-dance
Queer Simchat Torah Celebration
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/668-queer-simchat-torah-celebration
Marching For Equality in Heels, benefiting The Matthew Shepard Foundation
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/665-marching-for-equality-in-heels-benefiting-the-matthew-shepard-foundation
Sunday, October 11
Cadence Run
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/657-cadence-run
Interfaith Service
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/686-interfaith-service
National Equality March
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/682-national-equality-march
 
National Equality March Rally
details: http://nem.gaycities.com/events/681-national-equality-march-rally

1. Keep fighting the good fight Atlanta.

2. The New York Jets won on Sunday. My neighbor Carlo has been dancing the happy dance ever since.

3. Are you ready for the Equality March? And please don’t say the gay press has not said anything about it!

4. Anyone watch the Emmys ? Award shows tire me out, no matter the host. Is that a sign of a crank?

5. Dear ACORN: never give your enemies ammunition in a pr war.

6. For some reason every time I hear Mayor Michael Bloomberg talk about marriage rights I hear someone who will do nothing to make them possible.

7. Not paying attention to the news for a few days always puts me behind.

8. Dear President Obama: no more news shows for about 8 months please. Of course you have an open invite here at 365.

9. Jubilesta is the reason I listen to jazz.

10. This whole alleged terror plot freaks me the heck out.

Logo is inviting 365gay readers to chime in.

Here’s the request from Logo:

During the Equality March, Logo will be ‘dark’ as a symbol of solidarity …but this is also an opportunity to let viewers know why the march is so important.  In a ticker, we may highlight issues of inequality across the country (eg. Florida adoption laws),  but we also want to make the event feel human, personal & real.  

This is where you come in.  Tell us, in a sentence, why you think the march is important and we may include your message on-air as well.  

Serious examples:
I’m marching so my partner and I can adopt our foster children.  
I’m marching because marriage is a civil right.

Fun examples:
I’m marching so I can hold hands when I go shopping with my girlfriend.
I’m marching because socially aware guys are hot!

Looking forward to your response!

What do you think, readers? Post your response below, or email it to me at jennifer.vanasco [at] mtvstaff ][dot] com