Longtime-ally and NAACP Board Chair Julian Bond has thrown his support to the National Equality March. Via press release (h/t, JMG):

Most notably, recent endorsements for the NEM have come from allies representing organizations not usually thought of as part of the immediate LGBT community. US Representative, Danny K. Davis, of Chicago, Illinois; Michael Letwin, Co-Convener, New York City Labor Against the War (NYCLAW); and NAACP Board Chairman, Julian Bond, have all recently voiced their support for the NEM. “GLBT rights are civil rights; there are no 'special rights' in America. Everyone has rights – or should have – and I am happy to join in this battle for justice and fairness,” explains Bond. Other notable endorsements include Susan Stryker, Associate Professor of Gender Studies at Indiana University and author of “Transgender History”; and the Tony Award-winning production of Broadway’s Hair, which will be going dark for the weekend of the NEM in order to attend the event.

Also giving the thumbs up is the coalition of Metropolitan Community Churches. Read the remarks of the Reverend Nancy L. Wilson below the fold.


Rev. Nancy L. Wilson
Office of the Moderator

Dear Friend of Equality:

On Sunday, October 11, 2009, I’ll be marching in the National Equality March in Washington, DC, along with tens of thousands of supporters of justice and equality.

I hope you’ll join me for this historic event in the ongoing struggle to achieve equality under the law for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens within the United States.

Let me share with you why I, along with the entire MCC Board of Elders, am supporting the National Equality March in Washington, DC.

I’m marching in the National Equality March… because MCC has a history of being at every March on Washington to take a public stand for LGBT equality under the law.

I’m marching in the National Equality March… because it offers an opportunity for a new generation of LGBT youth and supporters who have never marched to become involved in the vital work of justice.

I’m marching in the National Equality March… because I believe it is important for people of faith to have a visible presence before our government’s leaders in the White House, the Congress, and the Supreme Court.

I’m marching in the National Equality March… because of its one single demand: “Equal protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states.” I agree with the March’s organizers — we must accept no less and we must work until it is achieved.

I’m marching in the National Equality March… because its theme touches the key issues facing our LGBT communities: repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, immigration reform that recognizes same-sex couples and includes our LGBT families, an Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that ends workplace discrimination for everyone, hate crimes legislation that includes LGBT people, and the equal right to adopt children and raise our families without government restrictions.

I’m marching in the National Equality March… because this is one March in which we’re not forced to choose between whether to address national issues or to support state and local organizing. The March’s organizers are mobilizing grassroots support in all 435 local congressional districts and carrying our voices to the federal government.

I’m marching in the National Equality March… because we must hold the President accountable for his campaign promises. Justice must never be postponed; equality must not be delayed.

The time is right for this National Equality March. It will take place during National Coming Out Day, the anniversary of Matthew Shepard’s murder, and the 30th anniversary of the first March on Washington for LGBT rights.

This March will achieve what every past March on Washington has accomplished: It will make voices heard at the federal government, give national visibility to the LGBT equality movement, and birth a new generation of activists with a passion for justice and equality.

That’s why I and the full Board of Elders of Metropolitan Community Churches encourage you to join us in Washington, DC, in October.

Together, let us march on Washington… and demand equal protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states.

Together, let us march on Washington… to hold our government officials accountable and to work for the realization of full equality for all people as envisioned inn our country’s founding documents.

Together, let us march on Washington… and together, let’s make history during October 10-12, 2009!

The Reverend Nancy L. Wilson