WASHINGTON DC 11-12 Oct 2009 Gay activists plan mass demonstration for rights

Gay activists plan to march again on Washington to demand Congress act to establish equal rights for the gay community. The first march on Washington, in 1993, attracted 300,000-1,000,000 participants. The 2009 march coincides with National Coming Out Day and the launch of a campaign for equality for the gay, lesbian and transgender community. The announcement preceded President Barak Obama's signing of a memorandum that increases rights for gays but falls short of the community's demands.

The 1 million estimate for the 1993 march by the organizers contrasts with the National Park Services' estimate of 300,000.

Obama's memorandum of Jun 17 extends benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees, but stops short of pledging full health insurance coverage. Several gay rights leaders have criticized him for what they describe as a failure to live up to campaign promises. The issue of rights for the gay, lesbian and transgender community represents a social and political tightrope for the president. Since taking office he has shown reluctance to tackle the most divisive issues related to gays, and in so many words, has appealed for patience.

Gay marriage is legal in six states. Several others allow civil unions for same-sex couples. Some 40 states bar the recognition of same sex marriage, or, like Utah, have enacted legislation that explicitly defines marriage as between a man and a woman. Jun/09

RELATED READING:

U.S. to Extend Its Job Benefits to Gay Partners (NYT 17 Jun 2009)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/us/politics/17gays.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

National Coming Out Day (About.com)
http://gaylife.about.com/od/comingout/a/nationalcoming.htm

Gay rights activist calls for march on Washington (Washington Post 7 Jun 2009)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/07/AR2009060701586.html