National Equality March

The National Equality March was a national political rally that occurred October 11, 2009 in Washington, D.C. It called for equal protection for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.[1] The march was called for by activist David Mixner and implemented by Cleve Jones,[2] and organized by Equality Across America and the Courage Campaign.[3] Kip Williams and Robin McGehee served as co-directors. Leaders like actress Michelle Clunie, Courage Campaign marketing director, Billy Pollina and New York gubernatorial aide Peter Yacobellis hosted the first fundraiser in the spring of 2009. This was the first national march in Washington, D.C. for LGBT rights since the 2000 Millennium March.[4]

National Equality March
Logo for the March
DateOctober 11, 2009 (2009-10-11)
(National Coming Out Day)
LocationWashington, D.C.
Participantslesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights activists and supporters
OutcomeMatthew Shepard Act signed into law (October 22);
US President Barack Obama committed to end "Don't ask, don't tell", the US military policy forbidding gays, bisexuals, and lesbians to serve openly
Websitewww.NationalEqualityMarch.com
Rally at the west front of the United States Capitol following a march down Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

Many groups joined by also organizing other events for the weekend, which coincided with National Coming Out Day on October 11 and marked eleven years since the beating and murder of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, which prompted national attention and action to expand hate crime laws.

Equality Across America, which is fiscally sponsored by the non-profit Tides Center, states it intends to develop a network of decentralized organizers from each of the 435 U.S. Congressional districts.[1]

History

Because organizers made extensive use of online social media tools to recruit and organize participants, the event was organized faster and more economically than those previous events.[5] Organizers spent $156,000 to produce the event, and raised approximately $260,000.[6] The surplus funds are being used by Equality Across America to pursue full Federal equality for LGBT people.[7]

March route

15th Street NW closed for staging between I Street NW and M Street NW. The march began at the intersection of I Street NW and 15th Street NW and initially headed south on Vermont Avenue NW then turned right on H Street NW. The march proceeded west past Lafayette Park, south on 17th Street NW, and then east on the closed portion of Pennsylvania Avenue immediately facing the White House before turning south on 15th Street NW. Finally, the march followed Pennsylvania Avenue to the United States Capitol.

Workshops

There were a series of workshops, including one on tactics for repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", a law prohibiting gays and lesbians from serving openly in the armed forces.[8] In addition, other workshops were on "How to Organize on Campus" and "Adoption Option: Adoption Is an Option." A "Transgender Community Building Caucus" was held.[8] Cleve Jones and Sherry Wolf held a workshop at Busboys and Poets café, with several hundred attending, on The Struggle for LGBT Liberation.

Speakers
Singer and bisexual LGBTQ activist Lady Gaga delivers a speech.

After the march a rally at the US Capitol featured more than 30 speakers,[9][10] including:

Endorsements
Main article: List of National Equality March endorsements
Marchers in front of the White House.

The National Equality March was endorsed by many of the major national LGBT organizations,[13] including GLAAD, HRC, MCC, the Task Force, and P-FLAG. In addition, it was endorsed by other organizations, such as the Screen Actors Guild, including many SAG members who individually endorsed the march as well. As well, the march was endorsed by other individuals, politicians, such as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid,[14] faith leaders such as Rabbi and President of North American Reform Judaism, Eric Yoffie,[15] and others.

See also

References
  1. "National Equality March – Our Single Demand". Equality Across America. Retrieved October 11, 2009.
  2. Cleve Jones Joins Call for National LGBT March on Washington D.C.
  3. Roehr, Bob (October 15, 2009). "National Equality March draws 100,000 to DC". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
  4. "New group wants march on DC". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved October 11, 2009.
  5. Carlson, Ben (April 28, 2010). "March 2.0: Success of the National Equality March relied on social media tools". Media Bullseye. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  6. Browning, Bil (November 5, 2009). "The Finances Behind the National Equality March". The Bilerico Project. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  7. "We have a new leadership team!". Equality Across America. June 16, 2010. Archived from the original on January 30, 2011. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  8. House OKs Matthew Shepard Act to protect gays, Los Angeles Times, October 8, 2009
  9. Previewing National Equality March, MSNBC, October 10, 2009
  10. "National Equality March Rally". GayCities.com. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  11. Bond, Julian (October 9, 2009). "Rights Still to Be Won". Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 12, 2014. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  12. "National Equality Rally". c-spanvideo.org. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  13. The Road to Full Equality – The National Equality March, The Courage Campaign, Gay and Lesbian Times, Randy Hope, October 8, 2009
  14. ‘Our fight for full equality’, SOVO, Amy Cavanaugh, October 9, 2009
  15. On Eve of March, Faith Drives Activism for Gay Rights Supporters, BeliefNet, September 30, 2009
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