1 Million Strong for Equality

This past weekend, all across the country, hundreds of thousands of LGBT people and our allies came together to demand the most basic tenet of the American promise — the right to equality and justice for all.

If you were able to attend a protest on the National Day of Action against Prop. 8, then you know about the amazing energy and unwavering calls for change that dominated the day. If you couldn't make it, then take a minute to read the stories from just a few of these amazing events.

New York, N.Y.

"I saw fathers and mothers holding signs for their children. I saw friends holding signs saying, 'I married my husband but my friend can't marry his.' I saw a little girl sitting on her mom's knee leaning on the barricade smiling and chanting. It was beautiful, it was hopeful, and there was a profound sense of humanity and responsibility — much like my first pride event."
— Amanda D., Director of Institutional Giving, the Task Force

"My boyfriend Steven and I felt the wind behind our backs as we were participating at the NYC rally. We felt how the decades-long struggle has come to its climax and that we will get to see LGBT equality in our lifetime. We just need to keep going. ¡Sí se puede!"
— Pedro Julio S., Communications Coordinator, the Task Force

"I looked around at the varied group gathered at New York's City Hall and thought not about how different we are from those who would deny us marriage, but how alike we are. I thought how what we want is what they want — the legal rights and responsibilities — that come from the ability to form families."
— Cynde H., Assistant Director of Major Gifts, the Task Force

Washington, D.C.

"There were blocks and blocks of marchers! What's amazing is that all these folks were mobilized via Facebook. I believe the LGBTQ movement has turned a major corner today."
— Lee R., Board Member, the Task Force

Boston, Mass.

"We have faced gray days and grim circumstances before, and we have prevailed in the face of seemingly impossible odds and improbable political environments. It is our history of resistance and perseverance and creating deep change that gives us hope today."
—Sue H., Director of Creating Change, the Task Force

San Francisco, Calif.

"It was wonderful to see so many people, including many straight allies and family members of LGBT people, come together to voice their opposition to Proposition 8. I was particularly moved by the strong sentiment to avoid scapegoating any particular group for the loss, because the event felt very peaceful and inclusionary."
— Somjen F., Senior Policy Analyst, the Task Force

"What struck me was the crowd's overwhelming commitment to peaceful protest and nonviolence, while also understanding the need to partake in civil disobedience. The crowd decided to march without a permit through the streets of San Francisco, garnering cheers from passersby — even from those who were stuck in traffic because of the march."
— Amanda H., Clinton Fellow, the Task Force

"My partner, Maggie, and I were married in San Francisco on July 4th of this year. … And the responsibilities we have, because of our marriage, aren’t just to one another. Saying yes to love means, for us, that we have the responsibility to act out of that love in all aspects of our lives: we must act in love with our daughter. We must act in love with our families, with our churches, with our communities. And, yes, we must act with love and justice as citizens of this nation and this world."
(Click here to read Rebecca's full speech from the rally.)
— Rebecca V., IWR and Faith Work Director, the Task Force

Seattle, Wash.

"It was fantastic to see young people providing the leadership to make these demonstrations happen. We haven't had a decent march in Seattle in over 10 years, but now it feels like it's a new day."
—Jody L., Board Member, the Task Force

San Diego, Calif.

"Twenty five thousand people marched, organized mostly by students and new activists. This is the younger generation's Anita Bryant wake-up call. We all needed to wake up and become born-again activists. It was a pure grassroots effort."
— Nicole M., Board Member, the Task Force

Miami Beach, Fla.

"I was so proud to be part of this next step in LGBT equality."
—Dave C., Development Associate, the Task Force

We hope you are as inspired as we are about the way our community came together from coast to coast this past weekend to put an end to discrimination. And, if you haven't already, don't forget to sign our Anger into Action Declaration and share it with everyone you know!

Want to share your thoughts about this blog entry?

Send your comments to OutSpoken@theTaskForce.org.

Please let us know how your name should appear and, optionally, your city and state. Comments may be posted on our Web site and used in other Task Force materials.