Task Force Joins the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force will join the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King’s historic “I Have A Dream” speech.

“It’s been 50 years since the March on Washington and it’s clear that the fight for jobs, equality and justice isn’t over. On jobs, Congress must pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Without ENDA, LGBT people can be fired for who they are and who they love. On justice, Congress must restore the Voting Right Act,” said Darlene Nipper, Deputy Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

The day starts with a rally at 8 a.m. at the Lincoln Memorial, followed by a march to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. The theme of this year’s historic march is “Realize the Dream.” The Task Force will march as a contingent and we welcome LGBT people and allies to join us as well.

“Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people were in the crowd 50 years ago, including the lead organizer of the march, Bayard Rustin. And five decades later, we are extremely honored to be part of this historic march where we will continue, in unity with the larger civil rights community, the long process of renewing, repairing and restoring the vision of full equality for all,” said Nipper.

Rustin was recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.

“Hard fought rights can be eroded or eliminated. That’s why we need to march to show our support for making the dream Dr. King so beautifully articulated a reality for everyone — and to vigorously oppose the nightmare of discrimination, degradation, injustice and inequality still faced by many in our nation,” Nipper urged.