National Equality March Recap

by: PoliSciGuy11

Wed Oct 28, 2009 at 20:44:39 PM EDT

October 9-12, 2009. Over 100 Michiganders from Sault Ste. Marie to Kalamazoo joined together with the Michigan Democratic Party's LGBT & Allies Caucus for a ten hour bus ride to make the journey to fight for LGBTQ Rights in the Nation's Capital at the 2009 National Equality March. Many of those on the trip were students from around the state participating in a national event for the first time. Representatives from the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Eastern Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, Lansing Community College, Lake Superior State, Western Michigan University, Central Michigan University and Washtenaw Community College as well as members of PFLAG came together to experience a trip of a lifetime!

After the long bus ride we finally arrived at our destination and everyone was able to have a free day to explore the sights and sounds of D.C. Many took time to visit the many national museums and memorials, while others participated in one LGBTQ focused events throughout the day. Adam Taylor of Kalamazoo and Will Calhoun of Mount Pleasant watched on as the LGBTQ community honored the service of the U.S. military (especially those who cannot be open about being LGBT under the U.S. policy "Don't Ask, Don't Tell") by having a wreath placed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers' at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. Cody Hebden of Lansing and Derrick Chamberlain of Midland/Sault Ste. Marie attended a workshop on Civil Disobedience, which was put on by Soulforce, which is a foundation that promotes "freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance" (www.soulforce.org). As the day turned into night, many Michiganders explored the nightlife of our nation's capital, especially in the District of Columbia's gay district known as DuPont Circle.

Sunday October 11, National Coming Out Day, was the big day and the main reason why we traveled over 500 miles to march for our rights as Americans, LGBTQ Americans! The National Equality March had an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 Americans marching for the rights of the LGBTQ community. The March started at McPherson Square with a fired up crowd anxious for equality, then proceeded past the White House and ended at the West Steps of the United States Capital Building where the National Equality Rally. The march itself was so rich in spirit and energy with people from all ages, races, religions, genders and sexual orientations waving rainbow flags, chanting "Gay Rights are Civil Rights" and same-sex couples expressing their love for each other by holding hands.

After the 2.3 mile March, the National Equality Rally began at the U.S. Capital. Speakers ranged from Politicians such as Utah's openly homosexual state Senator Scott McCoy to Hollywood star Cynthia Nixon to movement leader Cleve Jones. One of the largest crowd pleasers was bisexual international superstar Lady Gaga, who stated "It isn't equal when it is sometimes." Also present were Milk screen writer and Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black fired up the crowd by saying "that we are fighting for full equality, from sea to sea, and not equality in some places and not others, and not equality in some distant future!"

Not everyone however was so excited about the March. Congressman Barney Frank, from Massachusetts said that the National Equality Marchers would only be "putting pressure on the grass" and suggested we keep the battle at home. Well, I believe that this March was not a waste of time. For many of the Michiganders this was not only their first march, but their first involvement in the LGBTQ movement. . Not only was this an emotional release but this March has inspired so many to take the fight back home, and we need equality in Michigan! We need to spread the message to every Michigander, "GAY RIGHTS ARE CIVIL RIGHTS." We should have the right to marry, adopt, not be fired from are jobs for being LGBTQ and simply live our lives happily without fear of harassment. It is time for Michiganders and all Americans to be treated equal ALL THE TIME, NOT JUST SOME TIMES!