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LGBT Chicagoans reflect on National Equality March by Joseph Erbentraut
EDGE ContributorWednesday Oct 21, 2009The thousands of LGBT Americans and allies who marched on Washington earlier this month ago came from all corners of the country to make their battle cry for equal rights. And this force included many who call the Windy City home.
Equality Illinois political director Rick Garcia has been to every LGBT march in the capital since 1979. He described this year’s event as "one of the better ones," pointing to the admirable turnout organizers delivered. Garcia’s reflections on the weekend, however, were not short on criticism, particularly organizer Cleve Jones’ favoring of a national civil rights strategy over fighting local battles.
"[Jones’] rhetoric about how this needs to be a national movement and that it has to happen in D.C. is absolutely wrong and doesn’t reflect reality," Garcia said as he noted pro-LGBT legislation local and state lawmakers have recently passed."It is really deeply offensive to those who have passed strong local legislation over the last 30 years and sustained it."
Garcia further questioned the effectiveness of the march’s timing, with lawmakers out of town. He remained hopeful, however, the energy he observed from participants would be sustained for Illinois’ own battles in the coming months.
"I hope that those people shouting at empty buildings will come home and recognize that we have a responsibility to do the hard political work that is now necessary to make change," Garcia continued. "I think it is important to take to the street for a variety of reasons but taking to the street doesn’t work by itself. We have to not just act up, but act smart."
Sidney Stokes, president of Columbia College’s Common Ground student organization, was also among the Chicagoans who took the streets in Washington as part of the overwhelming youth presence that made this march distinctive from previous efforts. He described his call to travel to the nation’s capitol as "instinctual." And Stokes added he felt empowered by the experience he shared with the many other fellow Columbia students who joined him on the trek.
"I loved every moment of it," Stokes said. "The bus ride there was so fun, being crazy and excited with all the other people. I loved marching down the streets of [D.C.], right to the halls of power saying, ’We’re here! We’re queer! We’re fabulous! Don’t fuck with us!’ Wonder how many times that has been said in D.C?"
Andy Thayer, co-founder of Chicago’s own Gay Liberation Network, also made it to the capital. He echoed others who admired the enthusiasm of Stokes and other young activists. Thayer’s trip, however, had added significance because his organization and the Dallas-based Queer Liberaction organized the controversial picket of President Barack Obama’s speech at the Human Rights Campaign gala on Oct. 10.
"I hope that those people shouting at empty buildings will come home and recognize that we have a responsibility to do the hard political work that is now necessary to make change." Thayer described his picket, which drew roughly 75 activists, as a success, but he conceded disappointment over the National Equality March in general. Thayer said he felt rally speakers and march organizers failed to effectively pressure Obama to act on his campaign assurances he would repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act.
"I think our picket is a lot more of the thing that should be happening ... It was an important step in the right direction," Thayer told EDGE. "The enthusiasm on the ground from thousands of young LGBT people was fantastic, but my concern is that, because there was no threat of retribution if the president doesn’t fulfill his promises, a great opportunity may be in the process of being squandered."
Thayer further noted the recession as he added he hoped to see more inspired activism both in Chicago and around the country.
"It’s important we get this right," he shared. "It is far more critical now for us to be vigilant in favor of equality not just for us, but for all groups that are typically scapegoated."
Unfortunately, not all those who had hoped to make it to Washington were successful in doing so. One of three busses Join the Impact Chicago sponsored blew its transmission near Genoa, Ohio. After a five-hour wait, the 50 passengers’ hope of making the rally on time had dwindled. And they eventually decided to turn around and attend a solidarity rally for the march being held back in Chicago.
"We talked as a group, people told their own stories and explained why they voted [to press on or turn around]," Join the Impact Chicago spokesperson Missy Lorenzen said. "We all had our reasons for going, but we also didn’t want to get there only to have to turn around and come home."
Lorenzen said most of Bus 1’s riders attended the rally at Daley Plaza, alongside some 250 of their peers who were on hand to show their support at home on an unseasonably cold Sunday afternoon.
"Even though we had a major setback, we still want to be loud voices in this movement," Lorenzen said. "We were all bonded by our shared experience that had created a new collective identity for us even though we came from such diverse backgrounds."
Joseph covers news, arts and entertainment and lives in Chicago.
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