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Why are you having the National Equality March (NEM)?
We are marching to focus attention on the need for federal action to protect to the rights of LGBT Americans.
How many people do you expect to attend?
We don’t know. We hope and believe the turnout will be substantial. We also hope to attract marchers from all 435 Congressional Districts.
What do you hope to obtain by calling for the NEM?
We hope to see a shift in strategy to one that will secure full equality in all 50 states. We look back to 1963 and 64 when the historic civil rights movement made its transition from fighting local battles to winning national victory with the passage of the civil rights act. It’s time for that passage for LGBT Americans.
You are having the March on a three-day weekend when Congress is not in session. Why?
We are marching on October 11th to make it easier for everyone to participate and attend. The only way to have a march when congress is “in session” would be to have it during the week, which would be an impossibility for the majority of people to attend. Also, October 11th is the 30th anniversary of the 1st national march on Washington for LGBT Rights.
Our goal is not to lobby in Washington. It is to train and empower local activists.
Is this being planned by one of the National LGBT Organizations?
This is being planned by Equality Across America – a new network of LGBT grassroots organizers.
What is Equality Across America (EAA)? And what are its objectives?
EAA is a new national grassroots network of people who are united by their belief that the time has come for decisive action from the federal government to secure LGBT Rights. One primary goal is to make every member of Congress aware that supporters of equality live, work, and vote in their districts.
How will EAA be structured?
We encourage folks who sign up for the National Equality March to organize with other activists within their Congressional District for full federal equality. We are forming Congressional District Action Teams (CDATs) across the country to lobby and take action locally and it is our goal to support and serve CDATs in all 435 Congressional Districts.
Who will be the key organizers and leaders of EAA?
We won’t really know the answer to this until after the NEM – however it is our hope to inspire leadership within all 435 Congressional Districts.
Who are the key organizers of the NEM?
The march is led by a steering committee of over sixty people from across the United States. Click to download the bios of a partial list of our committee members.
What other grassroots organizations are involved?
A list of endorsements is available on the website. The Steering Committee Bio’s will be listed shortly with all of the many organizations that we represent.
How will you insure total inclusion of complete diversity within the organizing?
We are absolutely committed to reflecting the true diversity of our community. Our steering committee is geographically representative and racially diverse. There are specific sub committees charged with outreach to micro targeted communities such as trans inclusion, people of color, gay straight alliances, families, straight allies, colleges, political affiliation, seniors, rural communities, labor, and more.
Some organizations and activists oppose the march. How do you respond?
LGBT people come from every economic class, faith background, nationality, race, and political philosophy. Virtually every issue within this community is therefore controversial. Each previous march on Washington has also been controversial. Having said that, we receive messages of support everyday from every part of the country.
Some activists feel excluded from the planning of NEM. How do you respond?
No one has been deliberately excluded and the process remains open to those who share our goal. There is contact information on the website for anyone and everyone who would like to be more involved.
Some argue that the March will be taking resources and money from key states that need them at this moment. How do you respond?
A movement that fails to grow will die. Our intent is to grow the movement, to increase the number of dollars available and the number of volunteers. For those states that have current ballot initiatives we are assisting their process. For example, in Maine specifically, we have talked to Equality Maine and they are going to let us know before the event as to how we can help specifically with their ballot initiative. One idea is getting people at the march to go into Maine and canvass for the Maine initiative. As a show of support, we’ve added a link on our main page, asking people to donate to Maine’s No on 1 campaign.
What is the budget of the NEM?
We have received all bids and final determinations are being made. Production costs have come in at $199,550.00. Other than one staff person, we are an ALL VOLUNTEER operation, so the NEM is being produced with a lot of love and sweat equity. This will be the most cost effective and efficiently produced march ever, please review our working budget that has been published to our website.
How will you insure transparency?
Our budget and financial statements will be published to the website along with the bio’s of every member of the steering committee to ensure transparency of the grassroots structure of this endeavor.
What is the program of NEM?
We are encouraging allied organizations to hold workshops, seminars, trainings and town hall meetings. We are discouraging parties, concerts and other forms of entertainment and hope to have a weekend filled with activities that will help people be more effective activists in their home district.
The march will kick off at noon on Sunday the 11th and will lead to the rally.
Who will be your speakers at the rally?
Speakers have not yet been determined and will be by the steering committee. People with suggestions should send them in.
Who will be holding and/or sponsoring the trainings?
The trainings will be the responsibility of the organizations – we are having specific conversations about events on the weekend relating to youth issues, aids issues, support of marriage equality, DADT, interfaith events, etc. and we are open to ideas and eager to partner and happy to promote activities planned by other organizations.
The calendar for these trainings will be available on the website closer to the event.
Are You a 501 (c)(3)?
EAA is a project of the Tides Center, a 501 (c)(3) entity. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
How will it be funded?
This will be funded through donations made specifically to the National Equality March campaign. This is a start-up grassroots effort and if you believe in our fight for full equal rights, we encourage you to donate for this cause. Information on how to donate is available on our website. Any funds raised by local supporters of the march can be used to help get people to the DC.
HRC recently launched the NO EXCUSES campaign, is this a duplication of efforts?
EAA is eager to work with all individuals and groups who share our goal for full federal equality. In context of trying to reach and persuade our legislators, duplication of efforts is a good thing. Let’s triple and quadruple that effort and let’s win.
