Turning out for the Big Commit
By
WASHINGTON--Several hundred activists from all over the East Coast gathered in Freedom Plaza for the "Big Commit"--a celebration of recent victories and a call to action for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activists, as well as a rally against the anti-gay National Organization for Marriage (NOM), which was holding an event nearby at the Capitol building.
Get Equal and Full Equality Now! D.C., sponsored the event. During the rally, nearly 20 speakers took the stage to share news of the nationwide struggle, energize the assembled activists and conduct an "exchange of vows with equality." This last speech centered on a series of pledges both to fight for equality and how to do it.
Some 30 members of the Rhode Island organization Queer Action of R.I. came as well, confronting the approximately 100 NOM participants and staging a "die-in" near the White House.
Due to the actions of police, the Big Commit was not held in NOM's presence, as originally planned, but organizers and attendees present for the event seemed to largely consider it a success, with a high turnout, energetic crowds and many passersby stopping to watch or join in.
