First National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights

First National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights
Name	First National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights
Date	October 14, 1979
Location	Washington, D.C.
Cause	LGBT rights
Goals	Gay liberation, Lesbian feminism
Methods	Protest march, Rally

Contents

First National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights was a pivotal event in the LGBT rights movement in the United States, held on October 14, 1979, with the participation of notable figures such as Harvey Milk, Barbara Gittings, and Frank Kameny. The march was a response to the growing need for gay liberation and lesbian feminism, as advocated by Stonewall riots veterans like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. It drew inspiration from the 1969 Stonewall riots and the subsequent formation of organizations like the Gay Liberation Front and the Daughters of Bilitis. The march was also influenced by the work of LGBT rights activists such as Harry Hay, Phyllis Lyon, and Del Martin.

Background

The LGBT rights movement in the United States gained momentum in the 1970s, with the emergence of organizations like the National Gay Task Force and the Human Rights Campaign. The 1978 assassination of Harvey Milk and George Moscone in San Francisco further galvanized the movement, leading to increased activism and advocacy for gay rights and lesbian rights. The 1979 march was also influenced by the work of feminist and civil rights activists, including Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, and Martin Luther King Jr.. Additionally, the march drew support from labor unions like the AFL-CIO and SEIU, as well as from religious organizations like the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Metropolitan Community Church.

The First National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights was organized by a coalition of LGBT rights organizations, including the National Gay Task Force, the Human Rights Campaign, and the Gay Activists Alliance. The organizing committee was led by Steve Ault, Joyce Hunter, and Troy Perry, among others. The march was endorsed by a range of organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Organization for Women, and the Congress of Racial Equality. The National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights also received support from politicians like Ted Kennedy, Barbara Jordan, and Shirley Chisholm, as well as from celebrities like Elton John, Cher, and Bette Midler.

The First National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights took place on October 14, 1979, with an estimated 75,000 to 100,000 participants. The march began at the National Mall and proceeded to the United States Capitol, where a rally was held featuring speeches by LGBT rights activists and allies. The march was peaceful, with participants carrying signs and banners advocating for gay rights, lesbian rights, and LGBT equality. The event was covered by major media outlets, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, and CBS News. The march also drew attention from international organizations like the United Nations and the European Union.

The First National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights had a significant impact on the LGBT rights movement in the United States. The march helped to raise awareness about LGBT issues and to build momentum for the movement, leading to increased activism and advocacy in the 1980s. The march also inspired the formation of new LGBT rights organizations, including the ACT UP and the Queer Nation. The event was also notable for its intersectionality, with participants advocating for racial justice, feminism, and labor rights in addition to LGBT rights. The march drew support from social justice organizations like the NAACP, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the United Farm Workers.

The First National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights is remembered as a pivotal moment in the LGBT rights movement in the United States. The march helped to establish Washington, D.C. as a hub for LGBT activism and advocacy, and it paved the way for future LGBT rights marches and events, including the 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation and the 2009 National Equality March. The march is also commemorated by the LGBT community through events like the Pride parade and the Stonewall riots anniversary. The legacy of the march continues to inspire LGBT rights activists and allies today, including organizations like the Trevor Project, the It Gets Better Project, and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. The march is also recognized by institutions like the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and the Smithsonian Institution.