LGBT History Month: National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights

Image Source, edited by Diana *BunnyKissd* Bukowski
On October 14, 1979, an estimated 75, 000 to 125,000 people marched on Washington to demand an “an end to all social, economic, judicial, and legal oppression of lesbian and gay people.”  It was the first of such marches and brought national attention to the gay movement which had previously only been a local struggle. There were Five Demands issued by the delegates:

• Pass a comprehensive lesbian/gay rights bill in Congress
• Issue a presidential executive order banning discrimination based on sexual orientation in the federal government, the military, and federally contracted private employment
• Repeal all anti-lesbian/gay laws
• End discrimination in lesbian-mother and gay-father custody cases
• Protect lesbian and gay youth from any laws which are used to discriminate, oppress, and/or harass them in their homes, schools, jobs, and social environments

In addition to marching, there were three days of workshops with discussion groups, LGBT open houses, concerts, and more.  The Monday after the march was a day of lobbying when the participants successfully met with fifty senators and more than 150 house representatives to express support for gay-rights legislation.  Since this first National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, there have been 4 marches: the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1987, the March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation in 1993, the Millennium March on Washington in 2000, and the National Equality March in 2009.

~••••••▼••••••~
Also this month:

~ October is also National Bullying Prevention Month.

~ October 10th was Unity Day; wear orange to show your support and remind others about the importance of bullying prevention.

~ October 11th was National Coming Out Day when we celebrate coming out as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or as an ally. See the Human Rights Campaign website for resources on coming out.

~ October 19th is Spirit Day; wear purple on this day to support LGBT youth & stand up against bullying.