National Equality March - DC 10/09
Oct. 19th, 2009 06:11 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wwcitizenLast weekend, Oct. 9-12, Matt and I went to Washington, DC, to march alongside 200,000 other folks in the National Equality March on Oct 11. We marched to the Capitol Building in DC to demonstrate our commitment to change in this country's civil rights for the GLBT community.
1138 rights are given to IMMIGRANTS who marry Americans that gay couples can't enjoy as legal CITIZENS. Men and women who want to serve their country in the armed forces can't, if they're openly gay. If I were to die today, my partner of 6 years would not receive my social security checks. In stark contrast, a mail-order spouse (whose American spouse dies within months of their marriage) can receive those checks no questions asked.
The passage of the hate crimes bill is very close at hand, but that's a simple revision (the Christian Right is trying to get it filibustered, of course.). The DADT law will take some time to repeal. Equal civil marriages for the GLBT community doesn't have to take that much time. Make our marriages equal to straight marriages on paper and all will be well. It's not about religion, after all. No matter what straight people want to say, their marriage in the US would not be legal, either, unless they FIRST had their marriage certificate in hand. Before any marriage ceremony in the US takes place, straight couples are already married UNDER THE LAW by having their certificate in hand. The ceremony is just something added for the fanfare and jubilee of their freedom to marry. Plus, it's HUGE money for the US economy - especially if people get married multiple times.
I had waited till I could really consider what sort of impact this march had on my before I posted anything, plus, I wanted to finish editing the pictures. They're done, and I've considered the impact on me. It's made me even more resolute in fighting against civil inequalities. Matt has also realized in himself that he can get out there and make his voice heard. This was his first demonstration - ever. I've been to many rallies, marches, protests, and demonstrations in the US, Germany, Austria, Denmark, and France. I have to say, the GLBT protests I've attended were so much more peaceful and intelligent than most others I've experienced. The French can probably be the most violent.
I'm glad we went. Even though we had lots of fun Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights with friends, our focus on and reason for being there was very determined. Matt even wanted specifically to visit the Lincoln Memorial. Lincoln began the civil rights movement in the late 1800s; we were there to fight for our civil rights. Visiting Lincoln's memorial sealed the weekend for us and we were ready to head home.
1138 rights are given to IMMIGRANTS who marry Americans that gay couples can't enjoy as legal CITIZENS. Men and women who want to serve their country in the armed forces can't, if they're openly gay. If I were to die today, my partner of 6 years would not receive my social security checks. In stark contrast, a mail-order spouse (whose American spouse dies within months of their marriage) can receive those checks no questions asked.
The passage of the hate crimes bill is very close at hand, but that's a simple revision (the Christian Right is trying to get it filibustered, of course.). The DADT law will take some time to repeal. Equal civil marriages for the GLBT community doesn't have to take that much time. Make our marriages equal to straight marriages on paper and all will be well. It's not about religion, after all. No matter what straight people want to say, their marriage in the US would not be legal, either, unless they FIRST had their marriage certificate in hand. Before any marriage ceremony in the US takes place, straight couples are already married UNDER THE LAW by having their certificate in hand. The ceremony is just something added for the fanfare and jubilee of their freedom to marry. Plus, it's HUGE money for the US economy - especially if people get married multiple times.
I had waited till I could really consider what sort of impact this march had on my before I posted anything, plus, I wanted to finish editing the pictures. They're done, and I've considered the impact on me. It's made me even more resolute in fighting against civil inequalities. Matt has also realized in himself that he can get out there and make his voice heard. This was his first demonstration - ever. I've been to many rallies, marches, protests, and demonstrations in the US, Germany, Austria, Denmark, and France. I have to say, the GLBT protests I've attended were so much more peaceful and intelligent than most others I've experienced. The French can probably be the most violent.
I'm glad we went. Even though we had lots of fun Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights with friends, our focus on and reason for being there was very determined. Matt even wanted specifically to visit the Lincoln Memorial. Lincoln began the civil rights movement in the late 1800s; we were there to fight for our civil rights. Visiting Lincoln's memorial sealed the weekend for us and we were ready to head home.
