Please DO NOT march on Washington!

My partner and I live in DC—seven blocks from the Capitol Building. We have attended lots of marches on Washington. And we’ve watched them produce occasional good feelings among the marchers.

And political disasters.

Take the 1987 march, for example. Shortly after the march Senator Jesse Helms introduced and was able to have passed and signed into law legislation designed to further discriminate against GLBT people. The march didn’t help us. In fact, it helped to concentrate the furies of our enemies.

Instead, please stay home. And work there for our rights. There you can have a real impact. In your city, your county, your state. (Just as my partner and I have done here in DC, our home.)

Working at home is not as glamorous as marching on Washington. And working at home can scare people who are not out in their communities.

But working at home produces real results.

Marching on Washington costs lots of money, distracts people from battles that we could otherwise have won, and ends up being a waste.

I don't need speeches, I don't need porta-potties and I most definitely don't need a permit to air my request for redress to my President.

No disrepect Ms. Warren, as I am a fan of your....but I'll be there, with or without the old guard.

I called for a National March on Washington for Oct. 2010 at the Silverlake rally in Nov. 2008. The lgbti media carried it, and there was enormous interest. However, there are several things to be considered. (1) Marching in 2009 is not an election year. We will only have any power at all if we march demanding all Federal Rights
from the Democratic party. If we do it in 2009, it will not have the impact that doing it right before mid-term eletions will have. Nor will it give grassroots people, families, students and others who may not have the money in 5 months, time to save up. This way, we can see if the Democratic party does ANYTHING at all. We definitely should march and continue to mobilize locally. But to rush into one this year instead of holding it during an election year, will be a waste. And the March will ONLY work if this time, after 30 years of Marches (since 1979) our bottom line to the Democrats is Total Equality-Support us,or we won't support you.
Robin Tyler

A march on Washington is emotionally appealing when so many LGBT people are angry. What would be more effective is a march on all 50 state capitals on the same date.
Washington incurs travel costs, human resources, and a lot of agreements among organizations. The earlier marches left people and organizations exhausted and produced few results. The Quilt in Washington was powerful and effective, the focus was on 1 subject, a big plus.
Statewide marches will develop and marshal the skills and local resources that can then be used for a nationwide march. Statewide marches are closer to home reducing expenses and bringing our message closer to fellow American's homes.
Gay Liberation accomplished significant gains,
1) American's now know LGBT people are everywhere and that we are a part of everyone's family.
2) A majority of LGBT people are out. All professions, all ethnicities, all beliefs, and all communities have out people.
3) Negative language and actions are no longer acceptable. Not eliminated, no longer acceptable among a majority of American's.
4) Empowerment of LGBT people has created new voices, new choices, and more diversity. Our activism keeps the Constitution a living and developing document.
We are on the last mile toward equality. This is when you would expect the greatest resistance from the many people and organizations joined against our inclusion in the American compact.
Dinosaurs die slowly but they do die.
Keep up your enthusiasm, your active participation in whatever organization that meets your needs and concerns, and keep creating and sharing love, the greatest gift.

Alex - More than LGBT people will be mobilized for state rallies and lobbying.
National groups can develop the training, materials, and talking points so local activists are prepared to talk with legislators, state officials, media, and citizens.
The internet makes training and common purpose much easier to organize and develop and with effective moderation,this process should be free of the negativity that occasionally surfaces.
LGBT people have communion with a majority of churches and church leaders, one area of support. LGBT people have unwavering support from PFLAG and PFLAG has members in most states.
GLAAD should be able to mobilize media and train in the use of media.
HRC should have a clear understanding of the make up of each state, key officials, legislators, history, and goals.
ACLU can provide guidance on the legal terrain, wins, losses, issues, and approaches.
The Trevor Project and the Matthew Shepard Foundation can help with youth outreach, discussions on the corrosive effects of hate, and a strategy of what has worked to reach and change hearts and minds.
The gay archives and historians can provide training on our 40 years since Stonewall, the enormous arc of achievement in the face of total silence and oppression.
There are many more resources and individuals who are ready, willing, and able to provide knowledge, guidance, and compelling voices (Judy Shepard, Lance Black, Lt. Choi are 3 that come to mind as well as the writers of the Dallas Principles).
My 35 years of experience is if you articulate (state) a project with goals and a time line, if you provide resources and examples, if you show a moral basis for this work, and if you have fun in the process, the rest is within reach.
This is timely preparation going into the 2010 election cycle. We must be ready to hold legislators accountable for the democratic ideals they espouse in theory but not in practice. LGBT people know nothing has been given to us without organized and focused work.
Please remember that you can have a lot of fun during this process and you will make many friendships that will strengthen your life.
Thank you for the forum.