REPORTS BACK from the NATIONAL EQUALITY MARCH!

[EugLoven]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 1:34am

THE NATIONAL EQUALITY MARCH
takes place this weekend at
Washington D.C.
October 10 & 11

www.equalityacrossamerica.org/blog/?page_id=19

WILL YOU BE THERE???

Thanks to generous donations from members and sponsors of Broadway Impact, there are several free buses to/from DC on Sunday. Not to mention special arrangements through Hunter College and Marriage Equality New York.

Train, Plane, Bus, Car.
Be there!

My friends and I are driving down Friday night
Saturday, we will be at the HRC Dinner (with President Obama, Lady Gaga, Matthew Shepards family, Cyndi Lauper, the cast of GLEE)
Sunday we will be marching with fellow members of the NYC Gay Mens Chorus and the GALA Choruses contingent (including DC, Boston, etc). Looking forward to the performance by the cast of HAIR

This is our history. Our moment. Our chance to say SOMETHING. Shout it out!

YOU STILL HAVE TIME TO BE THERE!!!
www.equalityacrossamerica.org/blog/?page_id=19


(Im posting this thread here instead of Off-Topic because there are enough theatrical ties to this march, its participants, and the national impact on so many members of the theatre community)


Updated On: 10/12/09 at 01:34 AM

[WestVillage]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 9:24am

My partner and I are going with the Broadway Impact buses. Last email said there were 25 buses taking 1400 people. Really looking forward to this important day. Many thanks to the Broadway community / Broadway Impact for sponsoring the buses (and MetroCards for use in DC as well).

[Leia947]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 9:38am

My bff and I will be there VIA the Broadway Impact buses also. It's going to be a great and inspiring day.

WestVillage, have you gotten the email saying where we're supposed to meet for the buses yet? I still haven't gotten an email.

[WestVillage]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 10:02am

Leia947 ... no, I have not received the email re: meeting point or bus assignment yet.

[sanda]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 11:13am

Does anyone know when and where Hair cast will perform? I want to catch that.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 11:15am

I'd like to know that, as well. I'm headed down tonight!

[Leia947]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 11:24am

Well, they are not leaving until Sunday; they are doing the show tonight and tomorrow... don't quote me, but I think they are performing at the end of the march on Sunday.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 11:29am

... I can only speak for myself, but that much was assumed.

[Leia947]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 11:30am

Guess I just don't pick up sarcasm on the internets that well.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 11:31am

I wasn't being sarcastic. If there's more information about exactly when/where the performance will be other than "at the March," I haven't seen it and would like to know. The National Mall is a big place.

Updated On: 10/9/09 at 11:31 AM

[Leia947]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 11:38am

Sorry. Half the time on here you can't tell who's being sarcastic and nasty and who's not.
Here's an entire schedule of the weekend:

http://www.wiedamark.com/nem/EventNEM.pdf

They don't have them on the schedule, but I'm just guessing it'll be during rally on the West Lawn.

[Ariella]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 1:20pm

See you guys there!

I was wondering the same thing, Leia. Hopefully more info will be released regarding the cast, but there will be a lot of stuff going on, I'm sure.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 1:30pm

My fiance and I will be on the Broadway Impact buses as well.

[kryst22]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 5:03pm

Regarding the meet up time:

"All buses depart NYC at 6 a.m. on Oct. 11. Location will be shared in an e-mail on Saturday, Oct. 11"

-Broadway Impact ticket site

There are also some more free tickets that opened up if anyone's the ultimate procrastinator on getting them.

[BroadwayBaby21]

Posted: 10/9/09 at 10:06pm

I wish I could go, but Sunday is the first day of tech for the show I'm stage managing. I'll be there in spirit!

[Leia947]

Posted: 10/10/09 at 12:25pm

Anyone on the Broadway Impact buses heard anything yet?

[Geridith]

Posted: 10/10/09 at 9:06pm

Going on the Broadway Cares bus... anyone else?

[EugLoven]

Posted: 10/12/09 at 1:31am

REPORTS BACK

Back home after a wonderful, monumental and unforgettable weekend of power, pride, love and urgency!

Saturday October 9
Attended the HRC National Dinner

HRC President Joe Solmonese spoke to the crowd briefly before introducing President Obama. Gave a 20-minute speech that was very up-lifting and promising. Remember, this is the BEST ally we have EVER had in the White House. He admitted progress has been slow but not to doubt the direction we are going. He promised to sign the Hate Crimes Bill when it reaches his desk (very soon). Promised to end DADT. Put his full advocacy behind the Employee Non-discrimination Bill and honoring the legitimacy and equality of gay couples.

Video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raCFfXfw9O0

Lady Gaga performed "Imagine" by John Lennon (with some melody and lyric changes). If ever you were on-the-fence being her fan, just let this be a way for you to fall in love with her and her talent.
Video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oGcio1OOfI

Lea Michele performed "On My Own" following an appearance by the cast of GLEE (Amber, Corey and Chris)

Gavin Creel performed with Robbie Roth "For Nancy," an original song about a gay child telling their parents, which melded into "I Got Life"
Video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdKyMneYqCM

Following a tribute to Ted Kennedy, Patrick Kennedy presented the award to Judy & Dennis Shepard. Ended the evening with not a dry eye in the house.

Sunday, October 11
National Equality March/Rally on Washington, D.C.
Such a huge crowd. Several celebrities in the crowd marching with us. So many people. So many signs. And an absolutely PERFECT day. The weather was just terrific and there were even 2 rainbows in the sky during the March!

It was my first time to D.C. and I was completely overwhelmed by its beauty. When we turned the corner and saw The Capitol in the distance, I couldnt believe it. It looked like a movie-set cut-out... Unreal. So pristine and picturesque. I was so moved.

Video here of ALL the speakers at the Rally:
http://www.youtube.com/user/inlookingout

We arrived at the lawn and found some fellow NYC Gay Mens Chorus members and friends, but didnt stay for much of the Rally. It was hot and we were very tired and hungry (and Saturdays events were the highlight of the trip for us).

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME ON TRAIN, BUS, CAR, PLANE TO SHOUT OUT THAT WE ARE HERE AND WE ARE EQUAL!!!
Updated On: 10/14/09 at 01:31 AM