CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
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.
David Mixner, the longtime gay rights activist who originally called for the march, sat backstage with friend, actress Judith Light, looking out at the growing crowds. Mixner is still healing from his recent hospitalization. He told Advocate.com, "I told you they would come. Never underestimate the power of people who want their freedom."
Mixner addressed the crowd and said of "don't ask, don't tell": "We asked the president to lead Congress, not to be led by Congress."
More images on next page...
Cynthia Nixon (in top photo with Judy Shepard and an event organizer) is backstage at the march hugging and visiting with Judy Shepard and Lt. Dan Choi. "It's time for us to make the president move beyond words. The right sentiment just isn't enough anymore," she says as she addresses the crowd.
Billie Myers, who is British, is scheduled to sing "America the Beautiful." Offstage, Nixon tells her, "At least it's not the National Anthem -- that one's impossible!"
More images on next page...
Top: Billie Myers and Martina Navratilova bond backstage
Later, Brit Myers practices the words to "America the Beautiful," a song she just learned this week," one last time before hitting the stage. After her performance -- and quite a salty speech, in which she said, "I have one message for the president -- I'm sorry, but I did not like your speech yesterday," Choi throws his arms around her.
In his speech, Lt. Dan Choi tells the crowd, "Some of us have come very far and sacrificed so much to be here -- but love is worth it."
More images on next page...
Lady Gaga prepares to take to the stage and stands listening to the speakers before her. Security is tight, but she hugs and takes a picture with anyone who approaches. Addressing the crowd, she says, "I can say with certainty that this is the single most important moment of my career."
Later, referencing Barney Frank's suggestion that this march is a waste of everyone's time, Lady G says, "We are putting more than pressure on this grass, and today this grass is ours."
More images on next page...
After sitting in the hot sun for hour, Tony winner Audra McDonald (center) and the Broadway cast of Hair prepare to hit the stage and sing.
Click on to the next page for more photos of the march...
More images on next page.
More images on next page.
More images on next page.
More images on next page.
More images on next page.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Here Are Our 2024 Election Predictions. Will They Come True?
November 07 2023 1:46 PM
17 Celebs Who Are Out & Proud of Their Trans & Nonbinary Kids
November 30 2023 10:41 AM
Here Are the 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
November 01 2023 5:09 PM
Which State Is the Queerest? These Are the States With the Most LGBTQ+ People
December 11 2023 10:00 AM
These 27 Senate Hearing Room Gay Sex Jokes Are Truly Exquisite
December 17 2023 3:33 PM
10 Cheeky and Homoerotic Photos From Bob Mizer's Nude Films
November 18 2023 10:05 PM
42 Flaming Hot Photos From 2024's Australian Firefighters Calendar
November 10 2023 6:08 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
Ohio court temporarily blocks ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth
April 16 2024 5:33 PM
How library workers are defending books, democracy, and queer lives
April 16 2024 4:38 PM
Pride
Yahoo FeedKentucky couldn't pass a single anti-LGBTQ+ bill this session — and it's not alone
April 16 2024 2:35 PM
West Virginia can’t ban transgender athletes says federal court
April 16 2024 2:32 PM