Tens of thousands march for gay equality in DC
A clear blue sky greeted the more than an estimated 100,000 people who took part in the National Equality March in Washington on Oct. 11.
The march kicked-off from McPherson Square at noon. Participants from across the country chanted and carried signs that read "Zsa Zsa Gabor had nine husbands legally; I just want one," "Mr. President, what happened to the fierce urgency of now," "Teabaggers for gay rights" and contained other slogans as they passed the White House and other landmarks along the 2.2 mile route that ended on the U.S. Capitol's West Lawn.
Openly gay New York City Council candidate Danny Dromm was among those who said he wanted to send President Barack Obama and lawmakers on Capitol Hill and around the country a message.
"I'm glad to hear he [Obama] wants to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, but we should be given more than a campaign speech," Dromm told EDGE as he marched in front of the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue.
The march came less than a day after Obama announced at the Human Rights Campaign's annual national dinner he would repeal DADT during his presidency. A number of bloggers, activists and pundits criticized the president because he declined to provide a specific timeline. The announcement dominated many conversations (at least those within earshot of this reporter) during the march. And Joseph Rocha, whom the Navy discharged after he said he suffered hazing and abuse while in Bahrain because of his sexual orientation, told EDGE he feels the movement should continue to work with the White House to ensure the president fulfills his promise.
"I will keep working hard with him and Congress to get that [DADT] fully repealed," Rocha said.
Some of those who spoke at the rally at the Capitol after the march highlighted lawmakers they feel continue to champion LGBT rights.
Actress Cynthia Nixon applauded New York Congressman Jerrold Nadler for introducing a bill last month that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.
"This is a goal that is both lofty and possible," she said.
Activist David Mixner further described a system of what he concluded is "gay Apartheid" continues to exist for LGBT Americans. And he specifically referred back to Obama's HRC speech as he addressed rally attendees.
"The president asked us to help him-and help him we will," Mixner said.
Judy Shepard, Los Angeles City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, Barbra Casbar Siperstein, the Democratic National Committee's first transgender member, St. Olaf College student Richard Aviles and Lady Gaga were among those who spoke during the rally. But openly lesbian New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn perhaps received the most enthusiastic applause of the afternoon when she directly challenged those who continue to oppose LGBT-specific legislation.
"I want them to look me in the eye and tell me that I am not a real person," she said. "I want them to look me in the eye and tell me that I do not have a real family. I want them to look me in the eye and tell me I am not an American. Nobody in anyone of those places can tell me otherwise."
Quinn further downplayed concerns over whether people would actually attend, while others criticized (and even mocked) openly gay Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank who described the march "as a waste of time at best."
A small handful of anti-LGBT protestors gathered alongside Lafayette Park. The Chicago-based Gay Liberation hoisted a large yellow banner in front of the Capitol that drew attention to an earlier protest against Obama. Those who took part in both the march and rally, however, were largely optimistic.
"The march itself felt like a good thing," Jana Kirkmann of Bethesda, Md., said.
Rob Sartoin of Wallingford, Pa., was quick to point out to EDGE he felt the march and rally attracted a specific demographic of people.
"It strikes me as a middle-class white crowd," he said.
Others agreed.
"I don't think it was a diverse as it could have been," Dromm concluded. "We came down on a very diverse bus, but it's important to have these things because... it puts focus on the movement again for another day."