Rallies to Demand Justice for GetEQUAL Protesters

Grassroots organized rallies have sprung up around the country to demand an end to government sanctioned discrimination and to support protesters who were arrested yesterday at various direct-action events protesting Don't Ask Don't Tell and demanding an Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Multiple actions by the newly formed group GetEQUAL took place yesterday, first starting with the anti-gay Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. Following a demonstration by the Human Rights Campaign, Lieutenant Dan Choi and Cpt. Jim Pietrangelo marched to the White House and chained themselves to the White House gate in a non-violent act of civil disobedience against the policy. The two were arrested without bail and will appear in a D.C. court today. Co-director of GetEQUAL Robin McGehee was arrested for aiding Choi in shackling himself to the fence but was later released.

Later in the day activists on both coasts took action to demand a trans inclusive ENDA be brought to the floor of congress. The protesters arranged a sit-in in at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco and Washington D.C. offices. The activists were arrested but have all been released. A blogswarm was also arranged whereby thousands participated in calling in to Pelosi's office demanding ENDA legislation.

Scheduled solidarity rallies:

Florida

Orlando
Friday, March 19
12:00pm
Senator Bill Nelson's Office
Orlando Landmark Two
225 East Robinson Street

New York

New York City
Friday, March 19
12:00pm – 2:00pm
Time Square Military Recruitment Office

California

Orange County
Friday, March 19
6:00-7:30pm
UC Irvine Footbridge at Campus between West and East Petalson.

Please comment if you know of additional scheduled protests.

'Pennies in Protest' - Counter WBC Demo in Richmond

The hateful Westboro Baptist Church better known as the "God Hates Fags" group will be protesting several locations in Richmond Virginia today. The group is most well known for their anti-gay and anti-semitic posters and chants.

For every minute the group protests 'Pennies in Protest' will be raising donations to support charities that support equality and justice. The counter protest has already raised a whopping 7,000 dollars and that is before the WBC has even arrived!

Check out PenniesinProtest.com to donate directly or to a Richmond charity of choice.

Queer Rising to Protest New York City Marriage Bureau

Recently formed direct action activist group called Queer Rising will engage in civil disobedience at the New York City Marriage Bureau on Friday, February 12th.

Inside the bureau couples will attempt to apply for marriage licenses and those who support marriage equality will be rallying outside. There will also be a marriage between a gay man and lesbian to highlight the absurd notion of restricting marriage to opposite-sex couples.

Below is a video of Queer Rising's last action during MLK Day.


The protest at the New York City Marriage Bureau is on Feb 12th:

Manhattan Marriage Bureau
8:00-10:00 AM
141 Worth St.
New York, NY

For more information on the protest or to attempt a marriage license email queerrising@gmail.com

Nationwide Marriage Equality Protest Listing

In the wake of marriage equality being defeated in Maine, and the one year anniversary of the passage of proposition 8, activists are holding protests throughout the country to express their outrage that the majority has the right to deny civil rights to a minority population.

*Please notify me of any planned protests, vigils, or demonstrations and I will promptly add them to the list and keep it up to date.

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Saturday, November 14th Protests:

Atlanta, Georgia
12:00-2:00 pm
GA State Capitol Building (Washington St. Side)
contact: Jeff Schade (jeffschade3@gmail.com)

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November 29th Protests:

No On Prop 8 Peaceful Protest & Candlelight Vigil - Long Beach, California Saturday 11/29 7pm
Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach

Los Angeles: Where Were You When Equality Died?

This November 4th marks one year after millions of LGBT Californian's lost their right to marry when proposition 8 passed. The fight for equality is far from over and activists from Equality Network in conjunction with OUTWest plan to march for the upcoming battle to bring marriage equality back to the ballot. Pending on the results from the No on 1 Referendum in Maine, the spirit of the event will either be celebratory or somber and angry.

Los Angeles, California
Nov 4th at 7 PM
Vermont & Santa Monica Red Line Metro Station Plaza.

Australian National Day of Action for Same-Sex Marriage Aug 1st

The Equal Love campaign will be holding rallies in cities across Australia on August 1st demanding same-sex marriage equality. Many of the couples among the protesters will engage in a mass "illegal" weddings to show their frustration with the government and to publicly demonstrate their love and commitment.

Protest locations listed here.

PROTEST President Obama's Broken Promises To the Queer Community

Many in the LGBT community are growing increasingly frustrated with Barack Obama's inaction on LGBT issues, and what is being seen as his administrations anti-gay decisions and actions.

The Gay Liberation Network will be protesting President Obama on Monday June 15th at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago. Protesters are mad that Obama continues to enforce the Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy barring gays from serving openly in the military. They are also outraged that the administration defended the Defense of Marriage Act in courts using some ridiculous claims and marriage equality opposition tactics. Some are also still mad about his giving a platform to anti-gay people like Rick Warren and Donnie McClurkin.

The GLN demands that President Obama:

*Repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and come out for marriage equality

* Repeal Don't Ask / Don't Tell

* Legalize readily accessible needle exchanges to reduce HIV / AIDS transmission

* End faith-based initiative funding which allows for religious groups to discriminate against LGBT people

PROTEST President Obama's visit to Chicago:
10:30 AM – 12 noon
Monday, June 15
Hyatt Regency Hotel
151 E. Wacker Drive
(one block east of Michigan Avenue)

Info: LGBTliberation@aol.com