Backstage at the March

MARCH ON WASHINGTON LEAD X560 (GETTY) | ADVOCATE.COM

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.

More images on next page.

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Reader Comments

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Name: TJ East
Date posted: 10/13/2009 11:37:53 PM
Hometown: Cincinnati

Comment:
So. I'm totally gay and out. I'm biggest NON supporter of anyone I know. I find it funny how i've been able to live my life, peacefully, free of government intervention, etc.. without having to partake in all the falderal of gay pride and marches. Guess I just don't see the need for it anymore. I just find it funny that someone I go to school with is the main picture on gay.com and most of the sites for this march on Washington. Hypocrisy at it's finest. Someone who is so quick to become a face of the march, doesn't even accept his own kind. If that's gonna be the face of our "GAY fight." I'll totes pass on that. That's what I dislike about fighting for equality. We don't even band together. We still all act superficial and rude to each other, yet band together to prove our obscene we are. Sorry, I enjoy my life without all this gay rights crap. Call me whatever you want, Note how I don't care. But we need to chill. People need to realize, the reason
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Name: Roy
Date posted: 10/11/2009 9:10:12 PM
Hometown: Madison

Comment:
They are so beatiful that the sight brings tears to my eyes.
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Name: Jonboy
Date posted: 10/11/2009 8:48:48 PM
Hometown: South Dakota

Comment:
I also agree with Tim in that the Advocate can certainly upgrade their capabilities on showing photographs or videos. 365Gay.com at least does that. Us 'gay' folks are noted for being ahead of the game on these things, so lets get going Advocate! Nothing wrong in being great, but always room to be better!
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Name: Straight ally
Date posted: 10/11/2009 8:20:05 PM
Hometown: DC

Comment:
I am a great supporter of gay rights. I’ve donated money to organizations and volunteered before and after the passing of prop 8 I have been able to change hearts and minds of people from both political parties to support gay marriage in California. I also write articles in various newspapers to overturn prop 8. Unfortunately, when I go to many of these gay rallies I often see very radical groups and people bringing up their own agenda that is non-gay related. I also see a lot of the far Left and anti-religion prevailing (although I can understand why given how many religions have been outspoken against gay rights). This radical atmosphere which prevails in these rallies just like today in DC kind of makes me want to concentrate on other issues. I am really in a dilemma here. I am very supportive of gay rights but if there is a radical agenda that prevails, full of hate, I just don’t want to do this anymore.
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Name: Franz
Date posted: 10/11/2009 6:54:57 PM
Hometown: Palm Springs

Comment:
They showed the live coverage on CNN.com and C-Span.com
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Name: Larry
Date posted: 10/11/2009 6:47:31 PM
Hometown: Tucson

Comment:
Couldn't agree more Tim! In this high tech age, where is the live coverage of the March? Being unable to go, I had hoped that someone would post lots of pics if not live coverage? It's difficult to even find a few dozen pics.
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Name: wafuu
Date posted: 10/11/2009 6:15:14 PM
Hometown: japan

Comment:
This crowd seems way more diverse and representative of America on its surface than any group of pasty pudgies tea-bagging their way to oblivion (round the corner, right next to Krispy Creme). Barney Frank was and is way wrong, it's honorable to come together to cement a cause and to celebrate.
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Name: Tim
Date posted: 10/11/2009 6:00:40 PM
Hometown: Los Angeles

Comment:
I really appreciate seeing the photos, and hope the Advocate posts more. But in 2009 isn't Advocate.com sophisticated enough to post the photos as a slideshow or gallery, or at least something less awkward and more user friendly than having to load a new page for every picture or two?
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Name: Têtuniçois
Date posted: 10/11/2009 5:01:22 PM
Hometown: Nice ( France )

Comment:
Walk for liberty , equality and fraternity ! Same rights for all same sex marriage in Usa , in France , in all countries in the world . Congratulations to gay us citizens .

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