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Gay Diversity, American Style, Parades on a Sunny Day Issues Feared Buried from AIDS to Racism Surface |
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By Jack Nichols
Newspapers throughout the nation had, prior to the March, given focus to open divisions within the gay movement. Many were uncertain as to its prospects for a satisfactory March turn-out. C-Span-TV broadcasters, who allotted nearly seven hours to live afternoon coverage (a repeat was broadcast at 3 a.m. EST, Monday) seemed to serve as a rebuke to a number of criticisms that had been voiced earlier by March opponents. Among the primary issues raised by these opponents was that the March was not likely to be representative of the great diversity of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities. Since this criticism had been voiced as early as 1998, the lapse of time allowed March coordinators, as the C-Span program showed, to create the most diversely represented March in the history of the Movement. People of color from every dimension of the rainbow spoke to the crowds on the Mall. If commercial savvy had been significant in the planning of the March, moneyed concerns were not apparent at the microphone. Many activists, including sports heroines and heroes, politicians and religious figures urged audiences to vote against anti-gay forces in the November presidential election. During the last two minutes of the event, MMOW Co-chair Duane Cramer mentioned the names of the March's corporate sponsors. Other issues which March opponents had suggested were likely to be central, including "Faith and Family" were mostly confined to the last group of speakers, following the late afternoon departures of many from the Mall. Prior to the noon onset of the March, Judy Wieder, editor since 1993 of The Advocate, replied to questions from a C-Span audience. Asked who she thought to be gay-friendly in the U.S. Senate, she named Senator Ted Kennedy. Those she considered anti-gay were, she said, "a lot of Republicans" though she declined to name any.
"A hate crime against any American is a hate crime against all of us." "Boycott South Carolina until that Confederate flag comes down." Nicole Murray Ramirez-- Latino activist from San Diego, California "I'd like to use the Washington monument as my own personal strap-on dildo." Margaret Cho—Chinese-American comedienne "I'm looking forward to the work done by the next generation." Bettie Naylor—Texas activist "I'm the happiest old man in the world today." Morris Kight--pioneering Los Angeles activist "750,000 and growing." Eleanor Smeal—former President of the National Organization for Women, estimating the size of the crowd on the Mall. Wilson Cruz, a youthful African-American actor spoke. He was followed by a student activist who said:
Tom Reilly, the CEO of Planet Out, introduced his hero, the self-outed football captain, Corey Johnson, of Masconomet High School in Middleton Massachusetts. Johnson told how he asked teammates who might have worried about his coming on to them: "Who says all you guys are cute enough anyway?" "I was an unhappy person as long as I was in the closet." Billy Bean-- former major league baseball player. "Full equality. Nothing less. Lorri Jean—former Director of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. Melba Moore sang the first of two stirring songs, followed by an African-American cleric, The Reverend Irene Monroe of Harvard Divinity School. Next, The Reverend John Buehrens, President of the Unitarian-Universalist Association spoke of welcoming Unitarian-Universalist churches, the most liberal of all expressions in the Christian tradition, pledging full-fledged support for equality for same-sex lovers. "The main lesson I'd like to leave with you today is not to let anyone else define who you are." Jim Fouratt—Stonewall era activist "I'd like to tell George W. Bush and Rudy Giuliani: 'Don't pack your bags to come to Washington, because you will not be coming here next year.' " Keith Boykin—National Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum "Elect Al Gore!" Elizabeth Birch—Executive Director of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
Marsha Stevens, a spirited gospel singer who often makes appearances at various Metropolitan Community Church functions, performed. She was followed by Eleanor Holmes Norton, Delegate in Congress from the District of Columbia. Ms. Norton focused on the need to urge Congress to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and the Hate Crimes Act in the U.S. Congress. A large sign reading "We are family in love, faith and friendship" was shown briefly by C-Span cameras. Brian Bond, Executive Director of the Victory Fund, introduced the names of successful Victory Fund-sponsored candidacies. He introduced Representative Tammy Baldwin, a Democratic Congresswoman from Wisconsin. "Clinton-Gore are true believers in gay and lesbian rights." Aida Alvarez—the Latina Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration
Neil Giuliano, the popular openly-gay Mayor of Tempe, Arizona, introduced one of his heroes, Wellington Webb, the African-American Mayor of Denver, Colorado. Then the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington's Gospel Choir sang "I am not ashamed," with verses that emphasized "I am who I am." They were followed by the Rev. Troy Perry, the pioneering founder (1968) of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches who delivered an extraordinarily inclusive church welcome to Muslims, Wiccans and Hindus. "The God of the universe loves you just the way you are. Keep the Faith!" Reverend Troy Perry—Founder (1968) of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. "The (Bible) is a reflection of man and not of nature. Its adherents are at war with nature, with others, with themselves." "We had to wait in the back until now to speak today because we don't have blond hair and we aren't lesbian." Jack Jackson's Native American brother-- representing the National Congress of American Indians "As a group, I find you people more interesting." "Civil rights are important, but what really counts is that you rid yourselves of shame and doubt. Straights can see that. And I want you to pledge: "I will be part of the largest gay, lesbian voter turnout in history." Kathy Najimy—an actress who is married and heterosexually-inclined Gladys Carrasquillo, a teacher, introduced transgender activist Dana Rivers. Their comments were followed by singing "Lean on Me,Melba Moore," a song promising that "We're going to make it together." Vice President Al Gore's video speech was introduced by Jeff Trammel, his aide. In the video, the Vice-president called the gay and lesbian cause "sacred ground in America's struggle for equality." He stressed the importance of Congressional passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), Hate Crimes legislation, and access to treatment in the war against HIV and AIDS. "I stand with you and am with you every step of the way." Vice-president Al Gore—Democratic Candidate for the U.S. Presidency. "Senator Paul Wellstone, Democrat of Minnesota flew from his home state, in spite of what he called his nervousness about flying, in order to join the gay and lesbian rally on the Mall. Texas' African-American State Representativve, Sefronia Thompson, introduced the members of the family of James Byrd, Jr., murdered by being dragged behind a vehicle along a country Texas road on account of his race. The Byrd family profusely thanked the Human Rights Campaign for helping to promote sensible Hate Crimes legislation and for an outpouring of kindly gay and lesbian assistance. Next, the father of the murdered student, Matthew Shepard, spoke. The Reverend Paul Beeman, of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) introduced Representative Jerrold Miller (Democrat, New York) "The only bigotry that can still be openly proclaimed on the floor of the U.S. Congress is against gays and lesbians." Representative Jerrold Miller--Democrat, New York A singer identified only as Betty sang and crowds danced appreciatively. Rabbi David Sapperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, spoke proudly of the liberal Branch of Judaism's recent decision to allow Reform rabbis to perform same sex commitment ceremonies. "Jews know what discrimination is about. To protect one of us is to protect all of us." Rabbi David Sapperstein—Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism "The 'w' in George W. Bush must stand for "worse. He's worse than his father. Worse in integrity, worse in talent, and in 'that vision thing.' " Patricia Ireland--President of the National Organization for Women "Having a gay child is the ultimate test of unconditional love." Ileana Strauss—Director of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Portland, Oregon chapter Verna Eggleston, of the Hetrick Martin Institute in New York, told how black women had been told not to wear their hair in curls during the early 1960s, and that ever since she herself has purposefully worn curls. Jane Olivor, popular as a singer in appreciative gay circles during the mid-1970s. was introduced as a "singing sensation." Without accompaniment, Ms. Olivor sang like a modern-day Joan Baez. "When you see, at age five, boys being beaten up on the playground and called 'faggot', you may not know what your sexual orientation is, but you do know who your family is." Sol Kelly-Jones-- the youthful heterosexual daughter of a lesbian couple "What are family values? Love, acceptance, tolerance, respect, and celebrations of difference." Michael Portantino—Family Pride Coalition "Commit every day to an act of rebellion. Join NGLTF and NOW." Elizabeth Toledo—NGLTF's new Executive Director who was, however, representing The National Organization for Women "I'm a young ,out, loud Korean dyke…Stop Dr. Laura!" Esther Lee—Co-Chair, California Alliance for Pride and Equality "I see a world where my relationship adds to the strength of all families in America." Mitchell Anderson--actor Representative Nancy Pelosi, (D-California) introduced her "heroes" from Vermont, including Gary Buseck, Executive Director of the Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders. Other residents of Vermont celebrated that state's recent legalization of "civil unions" for same-sex couples. "There's going to be a new national movement. It will be based on 'gender civil rights' " Riki Wilchens--Genderpac "We are poetry…We are mantras spoken…We are warriors lying down with each other." Marvin White—African-American Poet and AIDS activist "Its like déjà vu when I hear the arguments used to exclude gay and lesbian service personnel." General Vance Coleman (Ret.)--a retired African-American two-star General remembering the military's resistance to the inclusion of black servicemen in the late 1940s. "Today has been a wonderful celebration of life and equality." Mrs. Patricia Kuttles—Mother of the murdered 21-Year old PFC, Barry Winchell "We have always existed in every race, every nation, every epoch." Cleve Jones—founder, The Names Project "The Metropolitan Community Church was founded by a gay leatherman." Skip Chase—identified as a Christian Gay Leatherman and a Leather Community representative Beverly Little Thunder and Katrina Walters spoke for Native American women and told how AIDS statistics compiled by the Centers for Disease Control are inaccurate as applied to Native Americans. They were followed by Jim Mangia,national secretary for the Reform Party, who made a welcoming pitch to the crowds. Next, Imma Battagia, founder of World Pride 2000, told of the upcoming celebrations in Rome. "We mustn't let any forces make us believe we don't count." Steven Cozza—15-year old Eagle Scout and co-founder of Scouting for All "We want you to know that there is an organization for gay Muslims," said Faisal Alam, founder of a U.S. based gay Muslim organization. Jamison Green spoke of the importance of transgender activism while Zacki Ahmad of South Africa said his country's activists had been inspired by the progress that had been made by the U.S. movement. Ralph Nees, President of People for the American Way, explained his organization's commitment to gay and lesbian rights. "Let's be drum majors for justice," he said. Duane Cramer, the African-American Co-Chair of the Millenium March on Washington called an end to the event on stage, saying "We are a family with true family values." |
