Tens of thousands crowded the Capitol steps to call for equality and same-sex marriage legislation on Sunday afternoon. (Michelle Minkoff/MNS)
WASHINGTON — Tens of thousands of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people, and their allies, converged on the lawn in front of the Capitol building on Sunday afternoon to call for federal support for same-sex marriage.
Rainbow-colored outfits and accessories adorned many, who held signs calling for equality, and ends to bigotry and “segreGAYtion.”
(Michelle Minkoff/MNS)
After marching from downtown Washington, the throngs of crowds cheered enthusiastically outside the Capitol building. Near the beginning of the rally they chanted, “What do we want? Equality! When do we want it? Now!”
Suddenly, a hush fell over the crowd as politicians, activists and entertainers took the stage to spread their call for immediate action for legislation legalizing same-sex marriage and the 1,100 additional civil rights the marchers said marriage would give them.
David Mixner, a gay rights activist who first called for the march earlier this year, said it’s simply taken too long for equal rights to come about.
“We are looking at gay apartheid,” said Mixner. “There’s one set of laws for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and one for everyone else. Oh no, you don’t!”
Lt. Dan Choi said people must continue to fight and no matter how much work it took, it would be worth it. Taking a military perspective, he said, “I’ve fought for many things…love conquers all, love is worth it.”
Other speakers included actress Cynthia Nixon, Judy Shepard and city council representatives from California and Hawaii.
Most of the short talks discussed the importance of looking to youth activists. Others made sure to emphasize that the march was not the culmination of activism, but the beginning.
The president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Rev. Peter Morales, said everyone can benefit from the unity same-sex marriage will bring to the world, in a sermon Sunday morning at Washington’s All Souls Church. (Michelle Minkoff/MNS)
Student activist Ayanna Ford said that it’s easy to have safety in numbers when thousands of people converge. But she thought there was a more significant test: “How will you act alone when you are left with the company of your own conscience?”
Religious leaders from across the country offered a benediction at the start of the rally.
The rally was the culmination of many events held by diverse organizations throughout the weekend, including a Jewish queer-themed Simchat Torah celebration, and a workshop on how churches could best support the same-sex marriage movement.
Several area church services held specially-themed events to show their support. At the All Souls Church in Washington, the Rev. Peter Morales, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, spoke to a crowd of more than 300 people, giving a sermon on “standing on the side of love.”
The theme shares a name with an organization that came to many events throughout the weekend advocating for same-sex marriage.
Morales said that all humans are one – as we are all connected, everyone is Arab, Latino and gay.
“When we are connected with each other, we are one with God,” he said, explaining that a culture of scapegoating is perpetuated in America, and that everyone can benefit from the unity that would be brought about by same-sex marriage.