Gay & Lesbian Alaskans at the National Equality March

When Cleve Jones announced the National Equality March for LGBT Rights, he invited people to come "from Utah and California, from Maine to Hawaii, from Alaska to Florida." Four months later, several Alaskans marched in the Washington DC rally - and people noticed.

"From as far away as Alaska, thousands of LGBT people demanding marriage, adoption and immigration rights rallied Sunday at the National Equality March," began a Washington Blade article on the DC rally.

"The National Equality March brought participants from states across the country — some from as far away as California and Alaska — and included a strong contingent from Atlanta," wrote Southern Voice Atlanta.

A description of the Camp Courage workshop on Saturday said, "About 200 participants from across the country including Alaska showed up learning the basic skills of telling your story in order to change hearts and minds." [Asian Pacific Americans for Progress]

And a 365.GAY blogger was impressed by "the huge number of young activists – or would-be emerging activists – present and eager to be accounted for. Students had come from Maine, Alaska, Texas, Tennessee and California..."

The Washington Blade reporter spoke with Maureen:

"Some marchers came from as far away as Alaska. Maureen Longworth, a lesbian physician from Juneau, and member of Alaskans Together for Equality, said she wanted to join the march because she's always been a civil rights believer."

"A plaintiff in an Alaska lawsuit that brought partner benefits to state employees, Longworth said she hoped the march would push Alaska's delegation in Congress to act more favorably on LGBT issues."

"Two of three of our legislators are very conservative, and not always voting in our favor, she said."

Three Alaskans, Marty, Lin and Maureen, were interviewed by This Way Out, an international gay and lesbian radio program that airs in southcentral Alaska on Wednesday evenings. The complete Equality March segment is online HERE (in audio) and the Alaskans are interviewed near the end, between NAACP chairman Julian Bond and America the Beautiful.

Reporter: "You're coming from Alaska?"

Marty: "Juneau, Alaska. That's right.

"That's a long way. I think you win the prize for longest distance travelled to be here."

"Yes, sore wings."

"What was the impetus for your coming here?

"We had the privilege of getting married in California about a year ago, and then when the vote turned it around, it just brought [to our] attention that this is something that was really great, it was a really important thing for the two of us after we've been together for 27 years to actually be able to celebrate this. And it's just wrong that other people don't get that privilege and that right."

"Is this the first march you've been to?"

"Yep."

Lin: "We've been several times..."

Reporter: "How would you compare this one to previous marches?"

Lin: "This isn't as big as the '93 but the spirit is huge, and it's wonderful to see a lot of young people too. I had already given up hope that in our lifetime we would have equal rights. During the Bush administration, it got very discouraging and now I feel like I have optimism again. It's really wonderful to feel like my heart is more open to our government and the government's heart is opening and softening towards us."

Maureen: "I'm here because I believe in equality for all people and I always have. I was raised that way in Los Angeles in the 60's and we started demonstrating for civil rights for African-Americans when I was a kid. So whoever needs the rights, I will be there for that person. That's why I'm here today, and they happen to be for me."

Thanks to the Alaskans who travelled so far and represented us so well at the 2009 National Equality March for LGBT Rights!