When tens of thousands of LGBT people march down Fifth Avenue this Sunday for the city’s annual Pride parade, activist and founder of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt Cleve Jones will be among those at the helm. EDGE spoke to Jones earlier this week about the purpose of Pride, the upcoming March on Washington and his suggested strategy for achieving equality for LGBT Americans within the next few years.
"We had eight years of peace and prosperity, and what did we get? The Defense of Marriage Act and "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell."" As for what can be done under the first term of an Obama administration, Jones said the White House has a two year window of opportunity to sign any LGBT-specific bills into law.
"Within a very short period of time, he’s going to be focused on getting re-elected; so I think we need bold, decisive leadership from him and we need it right now," "I am tired of parsing it." he said. "We must demand full equality now."
Jones added he hopes the March on Washington in October will jump start federal efforts. Currently in the planning stages, the march will "demand equal protection under the law in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states." Jones remains hopeful the march will energize its participants to "create a truly nationwide grassroots movement that unites us all across state boundaries." "A door has been opened, If we push hard now, I believe we can achieve full equality in three or four years," he said. "If we do not seize this moment, I fear it will be decades." ...
Upcoming March on Washington
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uluckidog 1061 days ago
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