For one brief shining moment, I got to stand on the main stage of the National Equality March to be recognized as an Executive Steering Committee member instead of working as press backstage. Even then, I couldn't help snapping pictures from the stage to share with Projectors.
Video of that section of the program and a couple of photos of me on stage without a camera in front of my face after the jump. Photo credit: Perry Bindelglass for bilerico.com
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12 Comments
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Jerame's moment in the sun turned him very very red! Poor guy! He gets all the UV and you get all the glory!
Congratulations, you really deserved it. I doubt many people know what you did for that march, but if they did, they'd probably buy you a plaque! Or a hunting dog trophy. Either or.
Phil Reese | October 13, 2009 2:53 PM
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Seems with all these pictures of people here, people there, people with famous people, the National Equality March turned out to be exactly what I thought it would be, nothing more than a queer people photo op.
And, what really was accomplished? Coffers expanded? Legislation moved faster? And yet, queer people are still dying in this country from discrimination and lack of help. These photos are nothing more than a slap in the face of those people. Looks good on a resume, though.
MonicaHelms | October 13, 2009 3:10 PM
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Your attitutde is just plain sad. You are determined to be negative. Instead try offering your suggestions. I am truly sick of these type of comments. But feel free to make them. I am not saying to stop. I am just responding. You remind me of those naysayers who kept putting the idea of the march down and being totally negative about it. The naysayers were wrong!!!! I am so glad Bil and others came around to it and gave it a chance to succeed. I also agree with Father Tony. And by the way, Moncia, what did it hurt to have the march? There was nothing wrong with it and I think that really bothers you. It was by far more than "a queer people photo op". That you think that says a lot about you. Bil, I am glad you went and had the experience you did.
Rann | October 14, 2009 10:26 AM
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I know poor and disadvantaged LGBT people who need help. I know youth who have been kicked out of their homes. I know African American trans women who have to work the streets because the local gay and lesbian business will not give them a job.
Negative? Since when is it negative when you want to provide help to others? If you are afraid of the image you see in the mirror I hold up to you, then you can change that. It's a mirror. Shooting the person holding it doesn't change the image.
But, I stand by my statement that flying to DC just so you can get a picture of yourself in front of the Capital Building with other queer folks is hardly a smart investment in your money, in these hard times. I got a lot done this past weekend to truly help further the cause. The NEM did nothing for us. Nothing.
Say cheese!
MonicaHelms | October 14, 2009 12:27 PM
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Monica, I'm very disappointed in your attitude. I'm guessing that according to your logic here, all of your work on transgender veterans and ENDA have been so you could see your name in all those newspaper clipping and articles you've sent me lately.
Bil Browning | October 14, 2009 1:59 PM
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And, what activism were you involved in 12 years ago? Ten? Seven? The NEM did nothing for us. There are plenty of your contributors have done more in ten minutes (like Jillian) then the NEM did all weekend.
As I said, it was nothing more than a photo op for queer people, as you keep proving. No substance to what I see. A month from now, it will be nothing more then memories, and all the crap we have to put up with will still remain.
MonicaHelms | October 14, 2009 6:19 PM
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Dear Bil,
I was in San Francisco with some impressive bloggers and activists looking over my shoulders while watching the video in which you introduced yourself on stage. That moment and the photos transmitted through Bilerico made me quite proud to be a part of your team. I think what you (plural) did in DC had benefits that will extend far beyond the clout of the Immediate. There seemed to be a consecration of resolve among the youngest attendees and a burnishing of those whose metal has already been tried by fire. As you know, I am always among the first to take a shot at those I perceive to be "gay accessocrats", but others (including you) did some considerable road paving on the route to equality. That kind of paving is dirty work (i.e., not accomplished in black tie and serenaded by Lady Gaga), and you have proven yourself unafraid of it. No gay activist or citizen journalist should expect much adulation in the short run. Fuller history will tell the real story when decades from now some of those young queers talk about what that day meant to them and how it ignited the work they subsequently did for equality. That is why it was not a waste of time or money.
Father Tony | October 13, 2009 4:37 PM
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"Negative? Since when is it negative when you want to provide help to others? If you are afraid of the image you see in the mirror I hold up to you, then you can change that. It's a mirror."
If that is not the pot calling the kettle black. It is not negative to provide help to others. No one was even talking about that. But nice try at twisting words and changing the subject. We were talking about your comments on the March. I am not afraid of the image in any mirror I look at Monica. I am "scared" of horrible attitudes like yours. But you never answered my main question. What did the March hurt? Nothing. Instead it helped inspire many people to stay active for our rights and to continue to fight and started that in others. The biggest point of contention I have about what you said is that it was just a photo op because Bil and others took pictures and are posting photos. Get over it please! I went to the march in 1993 and yes I took pictures but guess what? It is part of what inspired me to be a person who fights for our community that I am today. So don't tell me that it will be forgotten in seven months. I am living proof you once more are wrong. And no one went to DC just to take a picture in front of the capital. For you to suggest it on Bil's link is franly insulting. So, continue doing the good work you are taling about but try checking your bad attitude at the door! No one appreciates it.
Rann | October 15, 2009 9:14 AM
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"Negative? Since when is it negative when you want to provide help to others? If you are afraid of the image you see in the mirror I hold up to you, then you can change that. It's a mirror."
If that is not the pot calling the kettle black. It is not negative to provide help to others. No one was even talking about that. But nice try at twisting words and changing the subject. We were talking about your comments on the March. I am not afraid of the image in any mirror I look at Monica. I am "scared" of horrible attitudes like yours. But you never answered my main question. What did the March hurt? Nothing. Instead it helped inspire many people to stay active for our rights and to continue to fight and started that in others. The biggest point of contention I have about what you said is that it was just a photo op because Bil and others took pictures and are posting photos. Get over it please! I went to the march in 1993 and yes I took pictures but guess what? It is part of what inspired me to be a person who fights for our community that I am today. So don't tell me that it will be forgotten in seven months. I am living proof you once more are wrong. And no one went to DC just to take a picture in front of the capital. For you to suggest it on Bil's link is franly insulting. So, continue doing the good work you are taling about but try checking your bad attitude at the door! It is not appreciated.
Rann | October 15, 2009 9:15 AM
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I'm not required to curb my attitude "at the door" to placate some people's delicate sensibilities. This is a blog. You "Pays yer money ($0.00) and you takes yer chances."
MonicaHelms | October 15, 2009 3:07 PM
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Thanks for the non-answer to my question and the answer that you will continue to have a bad attitude. Hope your life gets better and you get happier...seriously.
Rann | October 15, 2009 3:32 PM
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You are a bright light Bill. I forgot to tell you. Happy Birthday.
ewe | October 16, 2009 3:33 PM
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