For those attending the march on the tiniest of shoestring budgets, there are 3 ways to find free housing during the weekend of the march.
Offering Housing
For Individuals willing to offer housing, you can go to couchsurfing.org <http://surfing.org> <http://couchsurfing.org/> <http://surfing.org/> and write in your ‘ad’ that the housing is only for National Equality Marchers for the weekend of the 10th of October. Registering can be quick since you needn’t put much detail, but make sure you put “National Equality March” so marchers can search for those keywords, and be specific about how many you can host and what days, etc.. You can turn down individuals if they are not marchers or if you don’t feel they would fit well in your home. You might want to talk to them on the phone first – maybe even ask them why they are marching! After you have found people to stay at your place, you can delete your account if you like.
Need Housing
For individuals or very small groups searching for housing, you can go to basic search http://www.couchsurfing.org/mapsurf.html?form=basic and search for “National Equality March” to find homes of people in the DC area of people who are willing to host marching individuals in their homes. You’ll have to register to contact people, but after you have found a space to stay, you can delete your account if you like.
There is also a couchsurfing group now for the march which might facilitate communication.
For more info or help, please contact Sharone at Sharoneforequality@gmail.com.
NEM Free Housing
Do you like sleeping on a firm surface? How about the floor?
For activists who only require a safe place to spread their sleeping bag we are happy to be able to offer you a housing opportunity for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights! Communal housing will be provided by a supportive church space in the DC metro area. There are 300 free housing spots to apply for.
- Registration must be confirmed before arrival.
- Doors will be open each night from 10pm-12am. Doors locked at 12am.
- Sleepers must be out of the space by 8am on Saturday and Monday, and 7am on Sunday.
- Sleepers are responsible for their own gear throughout the day.
- Volunteer on-site coordinators will be checking registration at the door and will be staying in the space on all three nights.
- $5 donation for the weekend to thank the church and defray cleaning costs.
To apply and register please submit an email with the following information for each person in your group:
Group/ Organization (If applicable)
Name
Age
Email & Phone #
Home City/State
Safety Contact Name/Number
A brief statement about why you are attending the National Equality March and why free housing is important to you.
Submit this application and any questions to Chelsea Salem, On-site Coordinator, NEMfreehousing@gmail.com
Grab your favorite teddy bear and get to DC.
