Numerous Rallies to Be Held Marking One-Year Anniversary of Prop 8

Where Were You When Equality Died?

For many of us, we’ll always recall where we were and what we were doing when we heard that Prop 8 had passed. Last November, when we took to the streets to express our outrage and disbelief that the California Constitution – the very document that is supposed to protect the rights of every citizen -- had been amended to discriminate against hundreds of thousands of citizens.

One year later we will take to the streets again. All over the state tomorrow, on November 4, people will gather to remind the world that discrimination is never acceptable – and that we will not stop until this injustice is repaired.

Los Angeles

West Hollywood/Silverlake -- Meet at 7PM at the corner of Vermont Ave and Santa Monica Blvd. We’ll march to El Barcito in Sunset Junction – possibly the first lesbian bar in LA and the 1967 birthplace of the Los Angeles LGBT rights movement . We’ll look back at LGBT history and forward to the day we bury Prop 8. Sponsored by OUTWest. Event page.

Westwood/UCLA Campus – Rally in front of Kerckhoff with Queer Alliance and SCME

San Francisco

Join One Struggle, One Fight in Harvey Milk Plaza at Market and Castro from 6-9PM to demonstrate for full federal equality now! Event page.

Sacramento

Join Equality Action Now and other groups at the California State Capitol Building, 10th and L Streets, from 5 to 7PM to call attention to the fact that the issue of same-sex-marriage here in California is not dead. The theme of the rally is how our community’s youth is stepping up and leading the way in the fight to repeal Prop 8 and to win back their civil rights. Event page.

San Diego

Join SAME and others from 6 – 9:30PM at 1 Market Place (County Administration Building) and march to the Manchester Grand Hyatt. At 8PM the movie “Milk” will be projected for all to see. Event page.

Fresno

Fresno: Shaw and Blackstone: 6:30pm – 8pm. Nov 4th. Bring signs and candles! “See you again in 2010!” Info at QueerFresno.com

A Year Later and Where Are We? A Look at Organizing for Marriage Equality in California

Guest blogger Rev. Roland Stringfellow is the Coordinator of the Bay Area Coalition of Welcoming Congregations, which is a program of the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry located at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA.



November 4, 2008 – a day history was made. Crowds gather around their television sets waiting for the poll results to come in. A collective breath was held. Parents were holding their children’s hands in anticipation. Celebrations were ready to go. Then the results of the vote were announced – Proposition 8 had passed in California - the shock, the utter disappointment, the insult. Human rights were not being gained, but stripped away from a class of people in one of the most “so-called” progressive states in the nation.

"California? Really? California took away same-sex marriage?”

What followed was the blaming and shaming – of campaign organizers, African-Americans, Mormons, the Catholic Church, and people who attend religious service more than once a week (according to the exit polls). The divide between us grew larger though the democratic process of voting.

Here we are a year later and where do we find ourselves in the fight for marriage equality in California? Two major camps debating on whether to return to the ballot in 2010 or 2012 and we have to ask ourselves the question, “Have we learned from our mistakes?” Are egos and attitudes being altered in order for power to be shared and different voices heard? Has a clear strategy been created and presented? And what about our motivation – are we still angry and humiliated from our loss a year ago that we are planning to return to the polls with revenge? (“I’ll show you who is a second class citizen.”)

Those of us who are engaged in organizing within faith communities have our own concerns. Whatever the strategy will be for moving forward to regain marriage for all people, we want to see a strong progressive faith message to be a part of the next campaign to counteract the evangelical/religious right arguments made against LGBTQI families.

A progressive reading of sacred texts looks at the story from the perspective of the marginalized and how to give dignity to God’s creation. For example, 1 Samuel chapter 16, verse 7 tells us, “God does not look at the things we look at. We look at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart." And Acts 10:15 reads, "Do not (emphasis added) call anything impure that God has made clean." Do not call anything impure, or abomination, or pervert, or freak, faggot, tomboy, he/she, twisted that God has made clean. In other words, do not reject anything that God has accepted and God HAS accepted what was created.

We know from John 3:16 that God has a fierce love and acceptance for everyone and with God there is no east nor west, no divisions, no categories, and no sub-classes. Marriage equality is a “no-brainer” for progressive people of faith because it gives gay and lesbian couples and their families the dignity they deserve.

There are many wonderful, hard working individuals who are putting their hearts on the line as they strive to make our world a more accepting and loving place for LGBTQI people and to make marriage equality a reality for us all. If our goal is to repair the divisions that exist in our society as we work for equality, we must examine and ask ourselves, “Do divisions exist within our movement for equality”?

“We would love to have a Latino/a on our board, but we don’t know where they are? We would love to have a gay Catholic or gay Mormon to help us with messaging to the Catholic and/or Mormon Church, but do any exist?”

The answer is “Yes.” Many of us are waiting to be included and to contribute to the movement for equality. One of the best ways to work towards inclusion is to recognize every human being has value. If we sincerely value others (even those who are different from us), then inviting diverse voices to the decision making table will not be so difficult. Also, those wanting to be invited to the table must take the responsibility of stepping up and speaking out in order to be known. If we, as LGBTQI people want acceptance from the communities we live in, then we must first begin to model that acceptance and look for ways of being inclusive within our own movements.

I really am an optimist, but I feel we will have a repeat of a defeat at the polls if we cannot agree on a solitary strategy and remain on point with our messaging. Attempts have already been made to try to get as many people to a decision making table as possible and the results were not that great. Well, if at first you don’t succeed … Let us not think working towards equality will be easy or popular. Some have paid with their very lives to see people with differences holding hands in unity.

On November 2 of 2009, many faith congregations will be opening their doors to allow people from their community to come and pray for unity and healing from the November 4, 2008 passage of Proposition 8 and to stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Maine and Washington state who will be facing similar efforts to repeal marriage rights for same-sex couples. “Keeping the Faith for Equality” interfaith worship services will be held in multiple communities throughout California so people of faith can hold hands with marriage equality activists as we begin to show a different picture of what working together looks like. May we, who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer or questioning, be the very ones who model for our community and world what it looks like to be loving and accepting of those who are different from us

Keeping the Faith for Equality

Marriage Equality Supporters March on Rhode Island's Capitol

Here is WPRI's accompanying article.

Unfortunately, the report is correct about Rhode Island's governor Donald Carcieri, who is a member of the staunchly anti-marriage equality National Organization for Marriage (NOM), recently speaking in Massachusetts in favor of traditional marriage at the Massachusetts Family Institute convention.

Rhode Island is extremely Catholic and its legislature has heard and rejected arguments for marriage equality several times, so passage of any bill faces and uphill battle.

Interestingly enough, a poll released in May found 60% of Rhode Island residents supported marriage equality. Now if we can only get their representatives to listen to them instead of cowering to the Catholic Church.

Jon Stewart Slams Fox for Ignoring National Equality March; More Videos and Pics of March!

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Queer and Loathing in D.C.
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Ron Paul Interview

But before this aired, he slammed the mainstream media in general for ignoring the march.

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The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
CNN Leaves It There
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Ron Paul Interview

And now, the Daily Show's OFFICIAL coverage of the march.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Queer and Loathing in D.C. - Radical Gay Agenda
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Ron Paul Interview

Marta Evry of Venice for Change has uploaded the rest of her numerous and amazing pictures of the march.

The Rally

The March

The National Equality March Movie

National Equality March Photos and News Coverage Round Up #NEM

This post will continue to be updated.

Thanks again to the amazing Marta Evry of Venice for Change for the beautiful pictures (more will be added in topmost stream tomorrow).

See the official National Equality March photostream and videos of the inspirational speeches!

The amazing reporter Rex Wockner has great firsthand videos, photos and story.

CNN

The National Equality March coincided with National Coming Out Day, and came a day after President Obama delivered a supportive speech to the nation's largest gay and lesbian rights group.

Obama was praised for his remarks to the Human Rights Campaign, where he said he has urged congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and to pass the Domestic Partners Benefit and Obligations Act. But Obama has also been criticized by gay rights activists who say he has put those issues -- and the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which bans homosexuals from openly serving in the military -- on the back burner.

Time Magazine

The march on Washington that gays staged Sunday on the National Mall drew something like 200,000 people — that's a good guess based on conversations with many of the organizers and local authorities, although estimates of Mall crowds are notoriously unreliable. But one number you can take to the bank: the average age of those backstage who wore walkie-talkie headsets and staff badges, the men (and a few women) who were behind much of the organizing effort, wasn't over 30. And that, by far, was the oddest thing about the march: Why would a generation wired to their mobile phones and Facebook accounts nearly from birth want to resurrect a form of political expression as old and musty as a mass gathering?

USA Today

Thousands of gay and lesbian activists marched on Washington Sunday, the first step in a national effort to grant gays and lesbians equal rights on everything from marriage to serving in the military.

Participants took to the streets, demanding that President Obama keep his campaign promises and pass federal protections for gays and lesbians.

A day after President Obama pledged to stand alongside the gay community in its fight for equal rights, march participants said they want more action and less rhetoric from the president.

New York Times

Impatient and discouraged by what they see as a certain detachment by President Obama on their issues, gay rights supporters took to the streets of the capital on Sunday in the largest demonstration for gay rights here in nearly a decade.

Unlike previous marches promoting gay civil rights, the rally was primarily the undertaking of a new generation of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender advocates who have grown disillusioned with the movement’s established leadership.

CBS News and ABC News Sourcing the AP

Thousands of gay and lesbian activists marched Sunday from the White House to the Capitol, demanding that President Barack Obama keep his promises to allow gays to serve openly in the military and work to end discrimination against gays.

Rainbow flags and homemade signs dotted the crowds filling Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House as people chanted "Hey, Obama, let mama marry mama," and "We're out, we're proud, we won't back down." Many children were also among the protesters. A few counter-protesters also joined the crowd, which stretched several blocks by the afternoon.

The Advocate is backstage!

Crowding nearly every corner of the streets between Washington D.C.'s Dupont Circle and the Capitol Building, some 200,000 people gathered for the National Equality March... and on the heels of mixed reviews for Barack Obama's speech at last night's HRC Dinner, gays and lesbians are our in force, chanting, cheering and demanding equal rights.

Advocate.com went backstage at the rally. From Lady Gaga to Cynthia Nixon, David Mixner to Billie Myers, check out what happened behind the scenes at the biggest show Washington's seen in years.

Talk Radio News



MSNBC

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Towleroad interviewing Lady Gaga and Robin McGehee:





Bilerico Project interviews Lt. Dan Choi



Michael Petrelis plays the numbers game with experienced crowd estimators.

VIDEO: View Amazing Speeches from the National Equality March!!

More...


















See pictures of the march!

Openly Gay Rep. Barney Frank Says National Equality March is "Useless"; O'Reilly Makes Big Deal of Obama Picket

Rep. Barney Frank: March is "Useless"

On the Michelangelo Signorile radio show The Gist, Rep. Barney Frank discussed the National Equality March, calling it "useless."

Signorile's site reports: "I literally don't understand how this will do anything," [Frank] said. "People are kidding themselves. I don't want people patting themselves on the back for doing something that is useless." Besides, he says, "Barack Obama does not need pressure." He says we should model ourselves as lobbyists on "the National Rifle Association." He says people should not come to Washington and should stay home and lobby their members of Congress. "Nobody in Congress even knows they're there, he says, and he is not attending the March: He is going to California to raise money for himself and other Democrats.

If Frank would take a second and actually read what the march is about and what its agenda entails, he would realize that the people attending aren't just there to make a scene. They're there to be trained on how to lobby their representatives at home and to organize themselves in all 435 congressional districts. A big goal, yes, but it can be accomplished.

I have a lot of respect for Frank, but these comments just show how little time he's taken to read up on what his own community is up to. In the very least, he shouldn't discourage people to take a stand for themselves.

He's missed the mark here. Usually I don't agree with people who say Frank should shut up more often, but in this case, I would have to concur.


Key March Information

David Mixner has provided a great service by gathering key information about attending the march, saying "Quite honestly I don't have a damn idea on how many will attend but do know that it appears to be a weekend filled with substantive events for almost any person's desire. Just go to the events link and get the full picture."

Buses

Events

March Route

Rally and Speakers

Washington's Metro (Subway)


Bill O'Reilly Questions Why Gays Are Protesting Gays on Eve of March

Bill O'Reilly discusses with activist writer Wayne Besen the planned picketing by LGBT groups and activists outside of Saturday's HRC dinner where President Obama will be giving a speech.



Read Wayne Besen's take on Obama's attendance to the HRC dinner.

National Equality March News: Lady Gaga Says Get Your A** To DC; Phelps Plans to Go, Too; New Promo Video Released

UPDATE: Joe.My.God gives advice on how to handle the Westboro Baptist Church nutters who plan on attending the march to counter protest.

Lady Gaga tells you, well, to go to the National Equality March in her own special way:



My friend Laura Kanter has done amazing work with the images in this video put to Julie Clark's song, "Courage of Our Convictions" which Julie will sing at the event.



And this should come as no surprise to anyone who's been to any major LGBT event - the infamous "God Hates F***s" pastor Fred Phelps plans on going to the National Equality March as well. However, I suspect for a different purpose than ours. Maybe you can get your picture taken with him to prove you were at the march!

Last but definitely not least, the amazing reporter Lisa Leff wrote a piece on the march for the AP:

A Democrat in the White House. Demands for sweeping civil rights protections. Religious opponents working to undo a string of state-based victories.

That was the backdrop in 1979 when gay rights activists staged their first national march in Washington. Thirty years later, with the landscape looking much the same, thousands of advocates are preparing to rally again in the nation's capital this weekend.

And they are demanding many of the same things: a bill to outlaw job discrimination based on gender, a law that would treat attacks on gays as federal hate crimes, and a presidential order allowing gays to serve openly in the military.

Read the rest of "30 years after gay march, activists head to DC."

President Obama to Speak at HRC Dinner This Saturday Before National Equality March - Is It Enough?

The New York Times' Caucus Blog broke the news today the President Obama will be speaking at a HRC dinner this Saturday, the day before the National Equality March.

Mr. Obama’s appearance on Saturday at the annual dinner for the Human Rights Campaign, a leading gay rights advocacy group, represents a significant show of support for gay rights at a time when many prominent gay and lesbian activists have been questioning the president’s commitment to their issues.

------

His appearance will mark only the second time a sitting president has spoken to the Human Rights Campaign. The first time was in 1997 when Bill Clinton spoke to the group. That was the first time a sitting president had ever addressed a gay rights organization.

Former top adviser to Bill Clinton, Richard Socarides, who in May wrote of his impatience with Obama and his lack of movement on LGBT rights, spoke to the AP on this new development.

"Eleven months after his election, he has failed to deliver on any of his commitments to gay Americans, but even worse has been his refusal to engage around these issues . . . What he needs to do now is engage and deliver,"Socarides told the AP. "Spend some of his political capital on ending the gay military ban, a hugely symbolic issue. And with no intellectually sound arguments left against it, come out squarely for gay marriage equality."

HRC President Joe Solmonese has responded, saying "We are honored to share this night with President Obama, who has called upon our nation to embrace LGBT people as brothers and sisters. It is fitting that he will speak to our community on the night that we pay tribute to his friend and mentor Senator Edward Kennedy, who knew that as president, Barack Obama would take on the unfinished business of this nation — equal rights for the LGBT community, and for every person who believes in liberty and justice for all."

Lady Gaga, the case of Glee and others will be at the dinner.

I've been told numerous times that I'm the happy-go-lucky type. Always smiling, easy to please and patient. I don't get angry that easily. I have a long fuse.

But when it's come to Obama, the president has snipped my fuse short and has lit it with a blow torch. I have not been quiet when it comes to Obama. Not at all. Nope.

I would like to think this bit of news is welcoming for me. But for some reason, it isn't.

Should I be appeased that Obama is interrupting at the last minute his pre-planned golf game to speak at a black tie dinner with celebrities in tow? Hosted by an organization that has let Obama off the hook one too many times?

Should I be happy that this historical president, who promised so much during his campaign including being our "fierce advocate", but who hasn't lifted a finger for LGBT rights since he's stepped into office with a Democrat controlled Congress, won't even bother to make a short appearance in front of a historical gathering of the LGBT grassroots the next day?

Should I be thrilled to hear that there's speculation that Obama will announce something in his speech, probably something similar to the LGBT White House cocktail party which was full of damn rhetoric or the crumbs he tossed an angry LGBT population when he gave federal LGBT employees benefits they already had?

I don't care if I should be pleased that he's speaking. Again. At another party. With more rhetoric and platitudes and empty promises.

So what will please me? Action.

Action speaks louder than words, Mr. President. A speech is a dime a dozen. Legislation is priceless.

National Equality March News: Congress Will Be in Session; Senate Majority Leader Reid Endorses March; Lady Gaga to Attend

Quite a bit of news has developed over the weekend in regards to the National Equality March, which by the way is happening this weekend in Washington DC. Here's a recap:

Congress Will Be in Session During March

Surprising his colleagues and many others in D.C., Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called off Congress' week-long recess that was planned for Columbus Day Weekend, which will make them be in session during the National Equality March after all.

The Hill reports:

Democrats at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue are gripped with a renewed sense of urgency in their effort to pass healthcare reform. As the Finance Committee continued into the second week of marking up its bill, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) surprised colleagues on Wednesday by canceling a weeklong Columbus Day recess. Reid’s move came after White House officials publicly called on lawmakers to pass a final bill by Thanksgiving. This ambitious timetable is more than a month before the goal set by congressional leaders, which is to pass a bill by the end of the year.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Endorses the March

More news from Sen. Reid. The following letter was sent to the organizers (click to enlarge):



Just a thought: it's great to see Reid's support and I accept it with open arms, but I couldn't help but notice that support for a DOMA repeal was missing.

Lady Gaga to Attend March

From Towleroad:

[Saturday] night, at Josh Wood's 'Get on the Bus for Equality' benefit for the National Equality March (following her SNL appearance) at Santos Party House in NYC, Lady Gaga urged the crowd to attend the March, and said that she'll be marching:

"I really believe in this cause, and as a woman in pop music I think that this is really an important weekend, and it's not a fucking joke. So get your asses to D.C. and wear something fabulous, and I'll see you guys there."

Someone could have told her it's the National Equality March, and not the Gay Pride March, but it's the action that counts...

National Equality March Organizers Issue Latest News on Event

Here's a summary of recent news and updates.

National Equality March Route Permit Approved
The 2.3 mile route will lead from MacPherson Square past the White House and along Pennsylvania Avenue to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building.

Speakers List Updated
More than 30 speakers, representing the diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and its straight allies, will take the stage at a rally following the march on the west lawn of the Capitol.

It Is Still Affordable to Get to D.C.
A quick search on Expedia found round trip tickets to D.C. still very affordable. The top ten cities with the largest LGBT population found these low fares if you departed October 10 and returned the 13th.

Solidarity Rallies Across the Globe Are Being Organized for NEM
In a show of solidarity for the National Equality March, several rallies are being planned for the October 10-11th weekend. If you can’t make it to Washington, we encourage you to organize efforts in your local communities to demand full equality & join us in D.C in spirit.

Our Youth Official Video Promoting NEM
This is the official video of the National Equality March LGBTQ Youth Event.



Don't Ask, Don't Tell Protest & Memorial Service to Honor Leonard Matlovich
José Zuniga, hero of the 1993 Gay March on Washington will join other LGBT movement leaders at an October 10th DADT Protest & Memorial honoring Leonard Matlovich in Historic Congressional Cemetery.

Hair Cancels October 11 Show to March on Washington and Sing on Stage
The producers of the Broadway musical “Hair” canceled a Sunday matinee so the cast and crew could attend and perform at NEM.

Las Vegas Pastor to Coordinate the Faith Service for NEM
Rev. Wilfred Moore, Pastor of the Abundant Peace Church, was recently named coordinator of the Faith Service for the National Equality March.

Top Ten Reasons Why Conservatives Support The National Equality March
Check out the top ten reasons from Charles T. Moran, national spokesperson for the Log Cabin Republicans.

Speakers Announced for the National Equality March, Route of March Released

The organizers of the National Equality March released the follow statement:

Longtime gay activist David Mixner, who in May called for a national march on Washington “to empower our young and to show the nation that anything less than full freedom is unacceptable,” is among the featured speakers at the October 11th National Equality March (NEM) in Washington, organizers announced today.

More than 30 speakers, representing the diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and its straight allies, will take the stage at a rally following the march on the west lawn of the Capitol.

“We are coming to Washington with new messages and new strategies to build our national movement,” said Mixner. “We will have one demand in Washington: full and equal and equal protection for LGBT people in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states and the District of Columbia."

Joining Mixner on the stage will be the national co-chairs of the march, Cleve Jones, Lt. Dan Choi, and Nicole-Murray Ramirez. Co-directors of the march, Kip Williams and Robin McGehee, also will be speaking.

Civil rights leader Julian Bond, will be one of the featured speakers. Bond was a founder Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and today serves as Board Chairman of the NAACP, the country’s oldest and largest civil rights organization.

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.

Just the other day, the organizers also released the route of the march after having secured the permits. Below is the map.

National Equality March Route

Will President Obama Play Golf or Attend the National Equality March?

With it been recently reported that President Obama will be away playing golf during the weekend of the National Equality March, lead organizer Cleve Jones asked the president "stand with us in pride" instead.

Dear President Obama:

Thank you for honoring Harvey Milk with the Medal of Freedom Award. Harvey was my friend and teacher. In the 30 years since he was assassinated lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people have attained a handful of rights in a handful of states, but we are still second-class citizens.

Your historic election gave us hope that change can happen, and now tens of thousands of LGBT people, along with our straight allies, are taking action to demand it. On October 11 we will march on Washington in support of a single goal: full and equal protection for LGBT people in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states.

Equal rights are not a "gay" issue. They are about our shared human rights: safety in our schools and jobs, equitable healthcare and housing, and protection for our families, to name a few.

I compare our National Equality March with the Civil Rights March of 1963. Martin Luther King had a dream; we have a dream too. We share Dr. King’s belief in the dignity and equality of all peoples, and his commitment to non-violence. And we share his faith that justice will prevail.

We do not expect to achieve our goal overnight. Our struggle for equality has taken many years, and much hard work remains ahead. The nation is preoccupied with economic hardship and war. But you have given us hope that civil rights remain on this nation’s agenda. The time is right for us to call on our fellow Americans, our elected leaders, and you to reaffirm our shared commitment to civil rights.

With hope in our hearts, we invite you to join us on the west lawn of the Capitol on October 11th. We ask you to take the microphone and renew our faith that Washington will work with us, and not against us. We urge you to remind the world that we are welcome members of this nation. We invite you to stand with us in pride.

Sincerely,
Cleve Jones
Co-Chair, National Equality March

Prominent Religious Leaders, Faith Communities Endorse National Equality March

A press release from the National Equality March:

Seventy religious leaders added their names this week to the growing list of endorsements for the National Equality March. The March has provided leaders from America’s broad religious spectrum a vehicle to demand full and 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.

“Part of what hinders our reality of full federal equality is the notion that one religious freedom trumps another,” said Robin McGehee, co-director of the March. “It is heartwarming to highlight that there are multiple areas of faith, within many different religious communities, that believe in full equality.”

Just as there are LGBT people of faith who worship in nearly all religious denominations and practices, the March has gained growing support from religious leaders within many of the nation’s religions and faiths.

“In every case in this country's history when misguided church teaching was used to justify prejudice and discrimination it has been judged as a moral failure of our society. The greatest obstacle to reaching full civil equality for LGBT American’s today is this same kind of religion-based bigotry,” said Mitchell Gold, founder of Faith In America. “The National Equality March gives all people of faith an important opportunity to speak out about this injustice and the irreparable harm it creates in our lives… and to say the time to end the harm is NOW.”

The Rev. Peter Morales, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, gave the March a resounding endorsement: “The Unitarian Universalist Association strongly endorses the National Equality March and the goal of achieving full legal equality for bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people. The inherent worth and dignity of every person is a foundational principle of our Unitarian Universalist faith. Unitarian Universalists from around the country will be standing together on the side of love on October 11th when we will take one more step towards the day when the laws of this country protect the basic human rights of all Americans.”

Rev. Morales will preach at a service prior to the March at All Souls Church Unitarian and then gather everyone after the service to join the March route.

Leaders from the faith community who endorsed the March include:

Rev. David Bahr, Park Hill Congregational Church UCC
Pamela Baldwin, Interfaith Alliance of Idaho
Nelson Bock, Interfaith Alliance of Colorado
Rabbi Stephen Booth-Nadav, Aytz Chayim/Tree of Life
Dr. Richard C. Bozian, TIA-Cincinnati-First Unitarian Church
Rev. Elizabeth Braddon, Stony Brook Community Church
Dr. Phil Campbell, Iliff School of Theology
Rev. Tom Capo, Peoples Church Unitarian Universalist
Carol Carlson, Social Justice Committee of First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati
Rev. Cynthia Cearley, Montview Blvd. Presbyterian Church
Hospice Pastor Angela Cesa, Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock
Rabbi Carl Choper, The Interfaith Alliance of Pennsylvania
Rev. Hal Chorpenning, Plymouth Congregational UCC
Rev. Samuel Chu, Interim Executive Director of California Faith for Equality
Dick Clark, St. Timothy’s United Methodist Church
Rev. Paul Collier, First Presbyterian Church
Rev. Greg Cummins, Montview Blvd. Presbyterian Church
Douglas Cunningham, New Day United Methodist Church
Rabbi Mark Diamond, Exec. Vice President of the Southern California Board of Rabbis
Maureen Doherty, Episcopal Church
Anne Dunlap, Comunidad Liberacion/Liberation Community
Rabbi Denise Eger, President of Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis
Rabbi Dr. David Ellenson, President of Hebrew Union College
Rev. Eric Fjeldal, United Methodist Church
Rev. Vicki Flippin, Diamond Hill United Methodist Church, Cos Cob, Connecticut
Rabbi Steven A. Fox, Exec. Vice President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis
Paul Fraser, Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Rev. Dr. C. Weldon Gaddy, Interfaith Alliance
Gregory Garland, United Church of Christ
Dan Geslin, Sixth Avenue United Church of Christ
Mitchell Gold, Faith in America
Rev. Galen Guengerich, All Souls Unitarian Church
Elizabeth Gull, Universal Life Church
Susan Guy, Walnut Hills United Methodist Church
Rev. Debra W. Haffner, The Religious Institute
Edward Hawley, United Church of Christ
Rabbi Steven B. Jacobs, Chair of the Progressive Jewish Foundation
Ellen Johnson-Fay, Unitarian Universalist Association
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, NYC
Noel Koestline, United Methodist Church
Rev. Eric Lee, President of the Los Angeles Southern Christian Leadership
Rev. Eun-sang Lee, First United Methodist Church, Salt Lake City
Rev. Mark J. Lukens, Bethany Congregational UCC/ LI Chapter of TIA
Whit Malone, Collegiate Presbyterian Church
Rev. Matthew J. Mardis-LeCroy, Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ
Sister Maureen McCormack, Interfaith Alliance of Colorado
Rev. Nancy Nelson, Metropolitan Community Churches
Richard S. Parker, United Methodist Church
Rev. Emily Peck-McClain, United Methodist Church
Rev. Troy Perry, Metropolitan Community Churches
Douglas Peters, United Methodist Church
Richard Pleva, Iowa Conference, United Church of Christ
Julia Rendon, Crossroads United Church of Christ
Bishop Eugene Robinson, Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire
Paul Rolig, Humanists of Idaho
Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center, Washington DC
Rev. Susan Russell, President of Integrity
Connie Ryan Terrell, Interfaith Alliance of Iowa
Walter Schenck, United Methodist Church, NY Annual Conference
Rev. Catherine Schuyler, Duluth Congregational Church
Rev. Jeremy Shaver, Interfaith Alliance of Colorado/Park Hill Congregational Church
Rev. Charles H. Straut, Jr., New York Annual Conference, United Methodist Church
Rev. Mark Stringer, First Unitarian Church of Des Moines
Nadine Swahnberg, UUA
Rev. Neil G. Thomas, Chair of California Faith for Equality
Kenneth Thurow, ELCA
Joel Warner, United Methodist Church
Rabbi Ellen Weinberg Dreyfus, President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis
Dana Wimmer, United Methodist
Rabbi Eric Yoffie, President of the Union for Reform of Judaism
Ani Zonneveld, Co-founder and President of Muslims for Progressive Values

"For people of faith, the National Equality March is an expression of our most deeply cherished values—that we are called to love, do justice, seek equality and act with compassion,” said Rev. Debra W. Haffner, executive director of the Religious Institute, who also has endorsed the March. “The Religious Institute is proud to endorse the March and the values it upholds."

“The importance of the National March for Equality for LGBT civil rights is being articulated through the Religious and Faith communities,” said Rabbi Denise Eger, president of the Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis. "Jewish national leaders and faith leaders understand that equality and justice stem from the message of welcome and love. We are joining together to lift up this message of full civil rights.”

To date more than 250 notable leaders from the arts, entertainment and media industries as well as political leaders, elected officials and community activists have endorsed the March and are urging people to join them and make their way to Washington.

National Equality March Releases Schedule of Events; Get a Free Bus Ride to Washington DC!

The National Equality March has released a schedule of events for the weekend of the march, starting on Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11. Check it out so you know when and where you want to be.

Do you need help getting to the march? Check this video out!



Go to BroadwayImpact.com

List of Endorsers for National Equality March Grows

More luminaries from the entertainment, arts and faith communities added their names this week to the growing list of supporters for the National Equality March (NEM) in Washington DC on October 11. To date over 200 notable leaders in, and supporters of, the LGBT community have endorsed the March and are urging people to join them and make their way to Washington.

"Momentum for the March continues to grow and we are so honored to have the support of so many distinguished leaders from across the country," said David Mixner, national co-chair of the March.

Leaders from the arts and entertainment industry who announced their support for the March this week include such luminaries as:

Calpernia Addams, author, actor and musician
Jane Anderson, Emmy Award-winning screenwriter playwright and director
Paris Barclay, Emmy Award-winning director
Annette Bening, Oscar-nominated actor
Greg Berlanti, writer, producer and director
David Dean Bottrell, screenwriter
The Rev. Canon Malcolm Boyd, author and Episcopal priest
Victor Bumbalo, actor and playwright
Ilene Chaiken, creator, writer, and executive producer, The L Word
Wilson Cruz, actor
Dana Delaney, Emmy Award-winning actor
Ronald Dennis, actor, dancer, and singer
Melissa Etheridge, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and musician
Joely Fisher, actor
Carrie Fisher, actor, screenwriter and novelist
James Franco, Golden Globe Award-winning actor
David Marshall Grant, Tony Award-nominated actor
Ellen Greene, Tony Award-nominated actor
Trebor Healy, poet and novelist
Helen Hunt, Academy Award-winning actor
Dave Koz, Grammy Award-nominated musician
Susan Krebs, jazz vocalist
Swoosie Kurtz, Emmy Award-winning actor
Chad Lowe, Emmy Award-winning actor
Camryn Manheim, Golden Globe Award and Emmy Award-nominated actor
Ewan McGregor, Golden Globe Award-nominated actor
Sir Ian McKellen, Tony Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated actor
Julianne Moore, Academy Award and Golden Globe Award-nominated actor
Max Mutchnick, Emmy Award-winning producer Kathy Najimy, actor
Ken Page, actor and cabaret singer
Peter Paige, actor, Queer as Folk
Pauley Perrette, actor and civil rights activist
Felice Picano, PEN Award-winning writer
David Hyde Pierce, Emmy Award and Tony Award-winning actor
David O. Russell, director
Meg Ryan, actor
Eduardo Santiago, author
Mark Thompson, author and gay activist
Marisa Tomei, Academy Award-winning actor
Liz Torres, Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award-nominated actor
Gus Van Sant, Academy Award-nominated director, Milk
Ann Walker, actor

"We are thrilled to have this impressive, ever-growing group of extraordinarily talented entertainment industry luminaries from stage, screen, television and the arts endorsing the march," said Bruce Cohen, March supporter and Oscar-winning producer of American Beauty and Milk. "As the demand for full LGBT Federal rights grows in all corners of the country, adding the support of these wonderful LGBT and straight friends of ours will continue to broaden the impact of what is being planned for October 11th in our nation's Capitol."

Leaders from the faith community who endorsed the March this week include:

Rev. Samuel Chu, Interim Executive Director of California Faith for Equality
Rabbi Mark Diamond, Exec. Vice President of the Southern California Board of Rabbis
Rabbi Ellen Weinberg Dreyfus, President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis
Rabbi Denise Eger, President of Pacific Association of Former Rabbis
Rabbi Dr. David Ellenson, President of Hebrew Union College
Rabbi Steven A. Fox, Exec. Vice President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis
Rabbi Steven B. Jacobs, Chair of the Progressive Jewish Foundation
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, NYC
Bishop Eugene Robinson, Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire
Rev. Susan Russell, President of Integrity
Rev. Neil G. Thomas, Chair of California Faith for Equality and Sr. Pastor MCC
Rabbi Eric Yoffie, President of the Union for Reform of Judaism

"The importance of the National March for Equality for LGBT civil rights is being articulated through the Religious and Faith communities," said Rabbi Denise Eger, president of the Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis. "Jewish national leaders and faith leaders understand that equality and justice stem from the message of welcome and love. We are joining together to lift up this message of full civil rights."

For more information about the NEM, and for a full list of endorsements, visit: www.nationalequalitymarch.org.

The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force Endorses National Equality March

In a prepared statement, the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, one of the largest organizations focused on LGBT grassroots efforts, announced that they are officially endorsing the National Equality March set for October 10th & 11th.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, a leader in building grassroots lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) political power, endorses the National Equality March, which will be held in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 10-11. Thousands of people from across the country will march and rally in front of the U.S. Capitol demanding equal protection under the law for LGBT people and their families in all 50 states. At the march, the Task Force will engage new activists, support fair-minded clergy and other people of faith, and mobilize volunteer activists to return home engaged and energized.

"For the past 30 years, LGBT people and our allies have come together in Washington to be inspired, to engage in political action, and to go home geared up to create change. The National Equality March will bring together those of us who have never marched, those who want to renew their passion for action, and those who demand their voices be heard. When we mobilize for LGBT equality, for racial and economic justice, for a transformed society, and to make our love and lives visible, the Task Force is there. The Task Force will be there at the march to support the voices of new activists, LGBT people and our allies who push and push for the end to hatred, discrimination and unjust laws," says National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey.

As part of its commitment to support march participants in fighting for local, state and federal change, the Task Force will:

• Utilize technology to connect people to concrete actions they can take on the local, state and national levels.
• Lend its faith organizing expertise in helping to plan an interfaith worship service.
• Work to connect state equality organizations and community centers with march participants the Task Force identifies from their states so they can further engage them to be active at home.
• Engage march participants in ballot campaigns under way in Maine, Washington state and Kalamazoo, Mich.
• Engage and support new activists in honing their talents and grassroots skills after the weekend of the march.

Consistent with the march goal of seeking equality in all 50 states, the Task Force will maintain its longstanding commitment to provide organizers, expertise and money for key ballot measure fights under way in Maine, Washington state and Kalamazoo, Mich. The Task Force will reach out to march participants from these states to channel their energy to create change back home.

March attendees who want to further develop their skills and strategize with other activists will be encouraged to attend the National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change just a few months later in Dallas, Texas.

"The Task Force is excited to support a new wave of activists and advocates. Whether you come to D.C. to march or stay at home to create change in your city, town, school or place of worship, the Task Force has the tools and know-how to help. Let's march in Washington and step it up at home," says Carey.

Find out more about the march at NationalEqualityMarch.org.

Michelangelo Signorile Endorses National Equality March; David Mixner Says More Endorsements To Come

In an exclusive commentary with the Advocate, Michelangelo Signorile, host of XM/Sirius radio show The Gist, endorsed the National Equality March.

The time is now for an LGBT march on Washington, and every one of us should be heading to D.C. for the National Equality March planned for October 10–11. Let me explain why, first by reviewing recent events. Then we’ll look back a little in history.

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A lot of people are saying we need to think big -- real big -- and that we need to stop denigrating ourselves by settling for crumbs, which we never get anyway. Perhaps we need an omnibus LGBT rights bill that covers everything -- go for it all, and leave it at the feet of Congress. Maybe we should amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to include us. What about going for the most urgent things rather than the easiest—like pushing hard for the president to issue a moratorium on “don’t ask, don’t tell” -- something he has disingenuously said he can’t do and that gay groups more or less have given him a pass on -- rather than sitting idly by and watching careers be destroyed while we continue to investigate options for overturning the policy?

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It’s not that I was ever really opposed to the idea of a march. To the contrary, as listeners to my Sirius/XM radio show know, I’ve been talking about marching on Washington ever since the morning after Election Day. For me, it’s been a matter of historical precedent: The black civil rights movement wisely took advantage of a window of opportunity in 1963, when Democrats controlled both the White House and Congress. Republicans could no longer be blamed for the lack of civil rights protections, and marchers knew that media attention would put pressure on the Democrats and shame them into action.

We have that same window of opportunity today.

David Mixner wrote on his blog that he has "been collecting an amazing number of leading endorsements" which will be announced in September.

"Can't promise you if there will be 20,000 at this March or 200,000," Mixner wrote. "What I do know is that a lot of very special people are coming. We have become invisible in this administration and so far have received almost nothing. And with that in mind, the community is geared to take a stand."

ACTION: Want to help spread the word about the march? Go here for National Equality March promotional tools!