After months of planning the big day for the National Equality March on Washington  was finally here!

The buses started from South Florida and made their ways up north stopping to pick along the way. The Tampa stop and passenger pickup was in front of MC Film in Ybor City. Everybody got off the bus to stretch their legs and catch a quick cocktail at Streetcar Charlie's. In front of Gallery Live we had our first photo taken with the Stand Up Florida banner!!!!

    The bus now full, left GaYBOR at 7:30 Friday and we were off to our next stop,  "The Center" in Orlando.  The dance music was rocking the bus as we pulled into the Center, Florida's oldest GLBT Community Center where we were treated to an art show and pizza party! Other Stand UP Florida  buses from around the state merged into Orlando as a meeting stop. 11:00 something, as we left , the crazy now tv series movie, "Sordid Lives" was started and we were off.....  Along the way there were rest & food stops.  As we headed into Washington, DC the film "MILK" was played and was just the right spark we all needed.

    When we all saw the traffic jams we knew this was something BIG!!! 100,000's of people were all making their way into the city. Arriving at our host hotel, The Washington Plaza 3 hours late it was 4PM on Saturday. After much needed showers and change of clothing we were off to tour & explore the city. We are very lucky to have our Niece Sarah & her Fab partner Jennifer living in Washington and offered to give us an historical tour.  As we were standing out side the hotel taping a GaYBOR show segment with Rich Kerin, when a carload of GaYBOR people we knew drove by honking (I guess GaYBOR really is everywhere). Just then, quite by accident, our niece Sarah pulled up too. We had the VIP treatment as Sarah showed us all the presidential monuments, Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, FDR newest monument & their lovely suburb home.

    Sarah suggested a great iconic LGBT restaurant in Dupont Circle called Annie's Steakhouse. It was simply the best and great with its 20+ years of historical service to the community. If you think Ybor City has problems with parking try Washington, DC! We gave our names at the restaurant and walked into neighboring Jack's for a drink. To our surprise we were given a full glass of Absolute Vodka, a Myers Rum filled to the brim over ice and side bottles of sodas. How tasty!!  The streets were packed with visiting marchers from around the country and tourists from around the world. Wow Washington, DC is historic and great!!!  It had high energy levels everywhere we were at. We met so many people from across the country in Annie's, packed sweaty boy bods and sky high energy at Jr's and also at the hotel with so many others for a night cap.  Some were getting back from President Obama's speech at the HRC $500 Gala Dinner.

     As we woke Saturday morning there was excitement in the air! 8 AM for breakfast and the room was filled with new friends all laughing and talking like a family reunion. It was a refreshing 45 degrees outside. Load up our belongings on the bus again before the march and go to the staging area to march. The streets were getting crowded with marchers. We were so close to the staging area 2 blocks from the hotel. Thousands were already in place, greeting new ralliers and chanting  by 10:00 in the park 1000's of rainbow flags, signs, pins, shirts and banners. Choirs, bands and drill teams. Colleges, churches and organizations. State by State Gay unity signs appeared. It was totally unbelievable! Who was waving out of her window yelling? Rosie O'Donnell! All for equal rights for everyone in the United States!

A very boisterous Young Queers for Change had thousands singing and chanting college age students from across the country. Socialist Workers, Metropolitan Church Clergy Group, Equality Tennessee, Wisconsin Gay Student Union, Christian Clerics Alliance, Texas GLBT Reform, Gay Soldiers of Iraq and thousands of other GLBTA state college and political action groups were all close by our Stand Up Florida staging area. There were many state Equality organizations from across the country. Humm... We did not see representatives of Equality Florida present? We had a Stand Up Florida banner most of the media wanted to film. You have to see the pics.

    The National Equality March started on I Street at 17th then onto Pennsylvania Ave. to pass the White House, then right to the Capital. With cameras flashing & video rolling, The Florida Contingency was off led by Anthony Farver, President of STAND UP FLORIDA. There were Drums, PA Horns, Signs, Music, Flags Waving & cheers everywhere like... 

 

Who would have ever thought that over 400,000+ GLBTA people, with heads held high, would Proudly March  the 3.4 mile parade route to the Capital steps and the speakers stage. The march was 4 times bigger than expected!  Dozen & dozens of speakers kept the crowed energized & inspired. This was a day that history was made for the GLBTA community. At 5 PM, with our voices gone, we all made it back to our waiting bus at Union Station.

    The bus pulled out of Washington. The group was over the top energized. On the TV monitors played all the classic LGBTA Videos; I Will Survive, Dancing Queen, We are Family... as the group danced in the isles while the sun went down.  A couple of rest stops, then hamburgers at midnight. The  next thing we knew it was morning and we were back in Florida. 11:30 AM Monday as the busses pulled into Ybor City. Everybody had bonded and shared a life time of memories, as we were rejuvenated and ready to continue the Fight for Equality. 

   Looking back at the march, we were very impressed by the size, organization & well behaved groups. The most impresive thing to us was all the young people that were there.  It is so good to know that 1,000's & 1,000's of young people are picking up the torch and carrying it on into the future!!!!

 

Mark & Carrie

 

 

 

 

It was getting late afternoon & we all were a little tired. When while looking at monuments Mark suddenly got a strange looks on his face pointed & said  "Looks there... why do they want to end trannies?" Rich & Carrie both busted out laughing. "Mark... the word is Tyranny, not trannies!"

 

 

When we ordered a Vodka Soda, the club served a glass of Vodka & a bottle of Soda on the side. Richard proclaimed loudly  "I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!"  we agreed!

 

When we stopped at the rest stops on the way up. Mark would wake up and say "Were are we?" The guys replied "Were in Vending, South Carolina. See the sign?"  It took 3 stops until Mark caught on.  (Vending machine Signs at rest stops) 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

For all the upcoming events &  posters please  click on the calendar star above.

 

 

 

 

Mark & Carrie,
 
First, Mark thank you for being so kind to me the other day while trying on Go Softwear items. I will be back for a few pieces. There are so many great events coming up in the Tampa Bay area this month including the TPA In'tl Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, InterPride, and Aquafest Halloween Cruise. I know most of you want to look your best when in attendance. With the economy being as such, I really want to encourage everyone to support their locally owned businesses such as MC Film in GaYbor, Urban Body in SoHo, and The Row at International Plaza (lower level near Dillard's). MC Film has great swimwear from Unico & Go Softwear, Urban Body has awesome tanks by Whittall & Shon and underwear by Sweat Under Gear, and The Row has some great items by my favorite brand Rufskin and 55 DSL. All of the brands mentioned have a great selection $20-$50, and look fabulous. No one gives customer service like Mark & Carrie at MC Film, Scott Moore at Urban Body, or Jason, Eric, & Heather at The Row. They show a lot of love to the community, so let's show them some in return.
 
Corey

2009 National Equality March on Washington DC