Many things have been written on whether one should march or not march Oct. 11 in Washington, D.C. Let me make it easy for you.
Are you really happy with the progress we have made over the last eight months with this Administration and Congress? Are you really happy with the progress we have made on the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and Defense of Marriage Act ( DOMA ) ? Do you think that the leaders of our political parties have embraced marriage equality and our God given rights, benefits and protections that come with it? Are you content, relaxed and happy with where we are at this moment in history in the struggle for freedom?
Think very carefully about the above questions. Then make plans to come to Washington, D.C., on Oct. 11 to march with thousands of your brothers, sisters and straight allies for freedom.
If you are like me, then most of you will be unhappy about any of the questions above. Almost nothing has been done in the last eight months by the president or Congress to take us dramatically closer to freedom. We are now hearing rumbles that we have to wait until after next year's elections to protect the Blue Dog Democrats' re-election. Then, I give you my word, we will hear after that how we have to wait until the president is re-elected because after all, if we don't, they will blame us if they lose. All sound familiar?
The time has come for the grassroots of the LGBT community in this nation to make a powerful statement against being used as a political football between the two parties. Can't promise you how many will be in Washington but can promise you if you are unhappy with our progress you will find at least thousands of others who feel like you do to march with you. The time has come to take a stand against the absence of progress and leadership. Don't let them take you for granted any longer. Don't buy into making others politically comfortable by delaying your freedom. Don't allow the "Oh Lord, Not Now" movement hold you back in your fight for freedom. Patience means sacrificing another day of living as not a free person.
Is that really acceptable to you? Are you willing to give up your social security rights, your immigration rights, your hospital visitation rights, your taxation rights, etc for one more year to make someone's political path more comfortable? Are you really ready to allow the silence of our 'political allies' to take us one step closer to a system of gay apartheid in America? Are you willing to allow our youth to feel like second class citizens and live in shame one more day because of those who lack political courage?
The time is now to march, to protest and to stand up and be counted. If you can't make the march on Washington on Oct. 11, then help a senior or young person who can't afford to attend know the experience of standing together for freedom. Go to Facebook and urge all your friends to attend and to sign up at the National Equality March page on that site. Help raise money to get a bus or train from your area. If you can't make it, help spread the word and let all America know that you are supportive.
However, do everything you can to be in Washington Oct. 11. The National Equality March will be an experience you will never forget if it is just 2,000 or 200,000. Know why? Because at least we are taking a stand. Standing up for freedom in a horrible political climate. Letting our political allies know that patience, waiting or negotiating our freedom away are certainly not on our agenda! We want full equality and freedom now. Not tomorrow, not next week, not after the elections and not after everyone feels nice and warm and comfortable. We want it now.
See you at the National Equality March Oct. 11.
David Mixner—a civil-rights activist, writer and political strategist—blogs at www.davidmixner.com .
