Video: Thousands demand LGBTQ equality at National Equality March

Thousands demand LGBTQ equality at National Equality March

Thousands of gay and lesbian activists and supporter marched Sunday from the White House to the Capitol, as part of an event named the National Equality March. At some points during the march, participants spread over 12 blocks, NPR reports.

“We are here today finally to say, ‘We are equal. We are equal in every respect’,” march organizer Cleve Jones told the rally at the Capitol.

Marchers demanded that President Barack Obama keep campaign promises to allow gays to serve openly in the military and work to end discrimination against LGBT people, Associated Press reports.

Chants highlighted by AP reporters included, “Hey, Obama, let mama marry mama,” and the slightly modified classic, “We’re out, we’re proud, we won’t back down.”

A full video of the Capitol Hill rally is available from C-SPAN, but in this clip from the coverage, C-SPAN’s cameras frequently pan through the crowd on the mall. The Broadway cast from the revival of Hair sings one of the standards from that musical:

Here’s another YouTube clip that focuses on participants:

Video: Thousands demand LGBTQ equality at National Equality March [contd.]

In the clip below, the speaker – identified as Tanner Efinger – tells the crowd, “I am noone of note. I’m not a seasoned speaker. I have no published pieces of work, or even a college degree.” But Efinger insisted that his lack of credentials make his message more important, not less. “We are – all of us – an unrepresented motley crew of underdogs who have gathered in struggle from every class, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and background to say that we are done with waiting.”

Efinger then introduced Cleve Jones, the co-director along with Robin McGeHee of the March. Efinger said Jones “comes from the isle of misfit toys himself”, and had taught him the power of the underdog.