From a Press Release
- We demand federal protection against inequities for LGBT Americans in all 50 states -
Chicago, IL - Sunday, October 11th, 2009 - LGBT Change, a local grassroots initiative started in late 2008, will rally at Daley Plaza in solidarity with the National Equality March, which will be held in Washington D.C. on the same day. The National Equality March is planned by Equality Across America which is a new national grassroots network of people and organizations who are united by their belief that the time has come for decisive action from the Federal Government to secure LGBT Rights.
LGBT Change is working with existing networks of people and organizations in Chicago to activate Chicago's thriving LGBTQA community in a peaceful demonstration within our community for the many people that cannot make it out to Washington D.C. Our rally will feature individuals and organizations that believe the federal government plays an instrumental role in our passage to equality.
"Now is the time to remind our government that we are allowing states to auction out our civil liberties, now is the time to make America accountable to our 14th Amendment rights" says Lawrence Perea.
The National Equality March and the Chicago Rally are united in one goal which is to demand Federal protection against LGBT inequities in all 50 states. We look back to 1963 and 1964 when the historic African-American Civil Rights Movement made its transition from fighting local battles to winning national victories with the passage of the Civil Rights Act.
"We are seeing the LGBT community left behind in other states," asserts Anthony Martinez. "Only by creating a national strategy will we be able to overcome the bigotry that other states have put into place. This is the time to call on our legislators to act on our behalf- which is why they were voted into office."
The rally begins at 1:00pm and is open to all ages, members of the LGBT community, as well as those questioning and our allies. This will be a peaceful demonstration and those participating are asked to come in the spirit of community and positive action.
About LGBT Change
Through action-oriented events and inter-generational dialogue, LGBT Change examines the core issues facing our community in order to channel those priorities to our leaders. This grassroots initiative focuses on capturing anyone voicing the ideas that continue to activate change in the LGBT community. For more information visit http://www.lgbtchange.org/