March on Washington Called for Oct. 11

I have to laugh out loud reading some of these posts declaring that we need to fall in line, behave ourselves, stay at home, write our Senators and Representatives, save our money, be good boy and girl scouts and MAYBE...just MAYBE they might throw us a bone. Well, Obama threw us a bone this week and it's STUCK IN MY THROAT. We need to march, we need to misbehave and we need to SLAM it right down their throats that we are SICK of waiting and SICK of taking the back seat on the bus. EVERYTHING else seems to be an "emergency" except US. There will never be a good time for full equality. We can both write our Senators AND show up on the Mall screaming bloody murder! Personally, I'd like to have the march on Barack's and Michelle's WEDDING ANNIVERSARY! They can celebrate their vows- why the hell can't we??? P.s. I hope the "party promoters" don't try to piggy-back off of this event and turn it into another "circuit party". It REALLY loses the true meaning of what we're there for.

I just booked my hotel! see ya there

After hearing Larry Kramer's "Half the Men in This Room Will Be Dead in Ten Years", the speech that gave birth to ACT-UP, I quit my job and worked full time to organize the October 11th National March on Washington in 1987. As one of the two regional coordinators in New England, I remember it as one of the best times of my life in terms of being proactive, engaged, and fighting for my community's self interest. Seeing the whole AIDS quilt for the first time that Fall propelled me into rewarding HIV activism and teen focussed prevention work. Eventually, I aged out, and burnt out. I am ready again to work full time so that the Fourteenth Admendment of the U.S. Constitution will finally apply to me, and mine. How do I get involved this time?

We have already booked our hotel and flight! The time is now. We need this for us.

I know this won't be popular but here goes... This is a mistake. Think back to the disaster that was Gavin Newsome in 2004, on the steps of San Francisco City Hall, marrying gay couples in defiance of the law. Great sentiment, bad politics. That, more than the swift boat veterans for "truth", probably nudged George Bush over the finish line in November, and thus sealed the fate of the supreme court (and our civil rights) for the next generation. We, our movement, our cause, is past marching. This is not what will get us to where we say we want to be. I say that having participated in the marches of '87 and '93. News clips of leather daddies in full gear roaming the mall and demonstrating whipping technique, or bare breasted lesbians, are not going to convince people that we deserve the right to marry and serve openly in the armed forces. The world IS changing, in our favor. Don't give them any reason to give it a second thought.

Is there a site up for this march yet?

To Michael-Bruce in Pa. October 11th is National 'Coming-Out' Day. It seems appropriate that this day was chosen for the march in DC. And to those who say it's a waste of time due to congressional recess; even if our congresspersons and senators are not there; the MEDIA WILL BE! Imagine THAT on the evening news on national TV! Ol' Freddy Phelps will puke his supper.

I was at the first march in 1979 (and wound up staying DC for 6 years!) and will be at this one as well!

Gay Cityy News should really check with the National Park Service. They are not showing ANYTHING on that weekend. I have to say I do not believe that many of our organizations really have US in mind right now. Think of it...if Gay Marriage becomes legal where will some of these organizations be? What will they exist for? My partner, friends and I will be there.

if the mall is booked... then great, all the more reason to get out and be seen... i know i'll be there... and to all you nay sayers, we find strength in supporting each other... not teaing ourselves down... rise up! take a stand!