Why I Wish I was in DC or, Why the National Equality March is NOT Useless.

I’m a little jealous of so many of my friends and fellow activists who are either near DC or have managed to get it together (some through Facebook donations!) to get there for tomorrow.  Tomorrow is the National Equality March in DC for equality for all LGBT in all are areas of civil law.  If you go here, you will see a whole list of events and trainings for folks who go to DC.

There are many who say that marching on Washington is NOT the way to accomplish the gay agenda.  You probably heard Barney Frank, the ranking gay member of Congress say that the “march is useless” and we’re better off staying home and lobbying our members of Congress.  As if that’s all it takes *eyeroll*.  Cleve Jones said it much better on Anderson Cooper than I ever could, so watch this (Cleve is on at about 3:26; Pam from Pam’s House Blend about 2:03).

And in case you aren’t convinced, here’s a (short, non-comprehensive but current) list of reasons why the March is very necessary (in no particular order):

A Professor is Punished for Allowing Gay Graduates to come and discuss DADT

A Georgia Teen is Told to Dress “Manly” or Leave School

Women are More Likely to be Discharged under DADT

Yes on R-71 (WA) is Fighting the Same Old Lies about Civil Rights for LGBT folks

And More of the Same Fear-Mongering Lies about Sexuality in Schools from the Yes on 1 folks in Maine

A FL Hospital Made a Woman Die Alone Rather than Surrounded by Her Partner and Children…and a FL Court will NOT Hold that Hospital Responsible

Should it Really COST More to be Gay??

More to be added – Got a reason? Post it in the comments!

All to say, while I’m not in DC this weekend because family and financial obligations are barriers to travel, I’m there in spirit.