Today marks the 12th anniversary of the '93 March on Washington

[kweerwolf]

Any other GLBT DUers there and care to share them memories of it?

For me it was a life-changing event that inspired me to take the next step into gay activism. I came back from there energized and signed up as a volunteer for the local anti-violence hotline and did volunteer work with AIDS patients.

I wish I had a scanner so I could download some of my snapshots from the march ... like the older woman standing at the sidelines waving a sign that said "Lesbian Grandmother" or some of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence working the crowd in Dupont Circle.

So much enthusiasm! So much hope! So much joy!

[whirlygigspin]

1. I was counted, April 25 1993

What a wonderful, beautiful sunny day that was...thank you for allowing us to remember it.

Mellisa Ethridge's beautiful blond hair blowing in the wind as she sang her heart out...watching her on a screen from across the reflecting pool past the Washington monument, across a sea of people and flags, so MANY flags, So many people! it was simply stunning, like some sort gathering of the tribes. I recall seeing a swath of New Mexican flags slowing moving down the mall, then a group from Arkansas(my favorite) Chanting: "tell your maw, tell your paw, you saw queers from Arkansas!"-- They were great.

All day this went on, group after group making it's way past the White House. At around 5pm we decided to head back to our car near the White House; I was just a bit hungry & sun-burnt by then, but was completely stunned to discover that there were still groups coming in! So we stood there in front of the White House for another 2 hours watching out of simple respect and amazement. As far as I had counted, a line, 4 lanes wide, took six hours to go past one spot, just to say, "we're here, we're queer, get over it."

Exhausted and hungry we finally headed out for the long drive back up the eastern seaboard, when wadaya know, it was the biggest gay traffic jam in history. From D.C to New York, it was gay world at every pit-stop,diner and rest stop, THAT was freakin surreal. We got caught in a big jam at every toll booth, so we turn up the music, opened the sunroof as the girls danced, hooted and hollered and blew kisses at the bus loads surrounding us.
What a day.

Live Free

[arwalden]

2. I Was There... And I've Got The T-Shirts To Prove It.

My boyfriend at the time was so paranoid and sooooo closeted that he refused to drive from Newport News, VA to DC with me (a mere 3 hour drive if you're going the speed limit.)

He was fearful that there would be national news cameras there and that his photo might appear on Headline News and that someone from his office might spot him, or that his parents might be watching. Grrrr.

Anyway... I digress. That was a life-changing event for me as well. Something that I'll never forget.