The 2009 National Equality March

It was a big day in Washington, D.C., today as thousands marched and rallied for the civil rights of gay Americans.

Following are images from today’s National Equality March, along with an excerpt from the Associated Press’ coverage of this event.

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Gay Rights Advocates March on D.C.,
Divided on Obama

By Brett Zongker
Associated Press
October 11, 2009

Tens of thousands of gay rights supporters 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 had also joined the crowd, which stretched several blocks by the afternoon.

Above: Blake Jelley, 19, of Cincinnati, center,
and A.J. Weilmoth, 22, of Knoxville, Tenn., chant with thousands
of gay rights advocates at the start of the National Equality March
in Washington, D.C. - Sunday, October 11, 2009.
(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Jason Yanowitz, a 37-year-old computer programmer from Chicago, held his daughter, 5-year-old Amira, on his shoulders. His partner, Annie, had their 2-year-old son, Isiah, in a stroller. Yanowitz said more straight people were turning out to show their support for gay rights.

“If somebody doesn’t have equal rights, then none of us are free,” he said. “For all I know, she’s gay or he’s gay,” he added, pointing to his children.

Above: People gather near the U.S. Capitol during the
National Equality March in Washington, D.C. - October 11, 2009.
(REUTERS/Molly Riley)

Keynote speaker Julian Bond, chairman of the NAACP, firmly linked the gay rights struggle to the Civil Rights movement, saying gays and lesbians should be free from discrimination.

“Black people of all people should not oppose equality, and that is what marriage is all about,” he said. “We have a lot of real and serious problems in this country, and same-sex marriage is not one of them. Good things don’t come to those who wait, but they come to those who agitate.”


Some participants in the National Equality March woke up energized by Obama’s blunt pledge to end the ban on gays serving openly in the military during a speech to the nation’s largest gay rights group Saturday night.

The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee said Sunday that Congress will need to muster the resolve to change the “don't ask, don’t tell policy” — a change that the military may be ready for.

“I think it has to be done in the right way, which is to get a buy-in from the military, which I think is now possible,” said Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich.

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Above: Doug Armstrong, 35, of Washington, left,
blows bubbles at Arundhati Baden-Mayer Eidinger, 5, as she walks
with her mother Alexis Baden-Mayer Eidinger, of Washington, center,
during the National Equality March with thousands of gay rights
advocates in Washington, D.C, Sunday, October. 11, 2009.
(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Above: A couple participates in the 2009 National Equality March
in Washington, D.C. - October 11, 2009. (REUTERS/Molly Riley)

See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
Why Civil Rights Leader Julian Bond Will Be Marching Tomorrow for Gay Rights
The Giant Pink Elephant of Religion-Based Bigotry
Separate is Not Equal
The Real Gay Agenda
Naming and Confronting Bigotry

Recommended Off-site Links:
Transcript of President Obama’s Address at the Human Rights Campaign’s 13th Annual National Dinner - October 19, 2009
Obama Renews Vow to End Ban on Gay People Openly Serving in the Military - Chris McGreal (The Guardian, October 11, 2009).
Obama’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Pledge Questioned by Gays - Associated Press (via USA Today, October 11, 2009).
Why Gays Can’t Wait - Jose Antonio Vargas (CommonDreams.org, October 11, 2009).
National Equality March Message: No Excuses, No Delays - Michael B. Hamer (Michael-In-Norfolk, October 11, 2009).
White House Called LGBTs Part of Pajama-Clad “Internet Left Fringe” for Asking for Civil Rights - Pam Spaulding (Pam’s House Blend, October 11, 2009).
National Equality March - Reflections the Day After - Michael B. Hamer (Michael-In-Norfolk, October 12, 2009).