Bring your voice. Bring your friends. Bring your clipboard.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4

**CALIFORNIA**
Los Angeles - UCLA
Meyerhoff Park
12:00PM
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169837272839&ref=nf

Los Angeles - Silverlake
Santa Monica and Vermont
7:00PM

Fresno
Shaw and Blackstone
6:30PM

**WASHINGTON DC**
Dupont Circle
5:30PM
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169853393446&ref=mf

**NEW YORK**
New York City - Union Square
5:30PM
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=181587321480&ref=mf

**TEXAS**
Dallas - Legacy of Love Monument
Cedar Springs @ Oaklawn
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=178392086406


THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5

**ILLINOIS**
Chicago - James R. Thompson Center
5:30PM
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=199172736752&ref=nf

Continued.

Do not be angry. Get organized. You. Now.

Many of us are angry at the loss of marriage equality in Maine. But we have much to be excited about-- big wins in Washington, Kalamazoo, and over 50 LGBTQ leaders elected across the country last night.

And yet, many of us are still angry.

Do not be angry. Get organized. You. Now.

Look online for a rally that is taking place in your area. There is one in Washington DC's Dupont Circle at 5:30PM. There is another in Los Angeles at UCLA at noon. Look on facebook at your local LGBTQ organization's page and see if a rally is being organized-- if not, make an event page and invite your friends! Create a rally at your school, your local LGBTQ Center, your place of worship, wherever you like. You don't need microphones, you just need a voice and have something to say! And then, with your banners, march to the closest major intersection and make others aware of your actions!

Be smart. Keep connected. Take a clipboard and ask for everyone's name, email and phone number so you can keep in touch. When you get home, create a facebook group, and invite all your new friends so you can move forward-- together!

Do not be angry. Get organized. You. Now.

Continued.

Get on the PHONE for EQUALITY in MAINE!

The following message is from Caitlin Maloney of the Courage Campaign and explains exactly how you can support No on 1 in Maine! Please read this message and check out this important link!




Dear Students --

*It's a dead heat in Maine: 48%-48% according to the latest polling.*

The Public Policy Polling survey of likely voters released yesterday shows
that Question 1 -- the initiative in Maine that would deny same-sex couples
the right to marry -- is picking up momentum and could pass on November 3.

*This election is going to come down to turnout.* And the NO on 1 campaign
is counting on out-of-state volunteers like you to make sure voters make it
to the polls during this off-year election.

*You can make the difference between securing marriage equality for Mainers
or another crushing defeat like Prop 8. If you have a phone and an internet
connection, we need your help. Please sign up now for a CALL FOR EQUALITY
shift to make calls to Maine voters from home:*

With votes being cast right now by email and at early voting locations,
these "virtual phonebank" calls to Maine voters will make the difference
between victory and defeat on election night.

*If you've never made phone calls to voters, it's easy.* Because we're
getting out the vote, you'll almost always be talking with a Maine voter who
supports marriage equality. We will personally train you over the phone
before your shift, give you a script and all of the information you need to
make calls.

I've been making these calls for the last couple of weeks, and I can tell
you that -- because this is an off-year election -- there are still too many
voters who haven't voted early or were not planning to vote until they were
reminded about the urgency of their one vote.

*This election could come down to a handful of voters. And, often, an extra
nudge from a supporter like you is what motivates someone to vote. Please
click here to sign up and get started making calls from home:*

Thank you for everything you are doing to keep another Prop 8 from passing.

Caitlin Maloney
Equality Hub Manager, Courage Campaign

P.S. Another way you can help the campaign is by donating airline miles to
help volunteers from around the country make it to Maine for the final week.
Click here to give your airline miles to volunteers via our friends at Travel for Change

Protect Marriage Equality in Maine!

Continued.

We have a lot of energy, and we're ready to go.

Photo credit: Mark Eby

Dear Student Leaders,

Not long ago, we came together in Washington DC to take part in the National Equality March. Many of us created protests. We joined teach-ins and training sessions. We listened diligently to speakers who told us that, “enough was enough.” Not long ago, we came together in Washington DC, not just to march, but to create a movement—a student movement—of young and talented leaders who demand real change for the lives of LGBTQ Americans.

As we continue to reflect upon our actions in Washington DC and the impact we have created in the lives of so many young people, we cannot help but ask ourselves this most basic, burning, desirous question, “What will come next?”

There are many actions we can and must take. In the coming weeks and even months, Students for the National Equality March, will compose a plan of action so that students will continue to be at the forefront of this movement for equal rights for all Americans. But right now, there are immediate actions that demand our attention!

In less than two weeks, initiatives in Washington, Maine, and in the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan, will challenge LGBTQ equality! We will be posting links and putting you in touch with student leaders so YOU can get involved IMMEDIATELY, no matter where you are!!

We have A LOT of energy and we are READY TO GO. The National Equality March brought us together and called us to action, so let’s get to work!


Dave Valk
National Student Outreach Coordinator
Students for the National Equality March

Continued.

'We Are Students for Equality'

WASHINGTON -- Thousands of students from hundreds of colleges converged here Saturday and Sunday for the National Equality March, the first national protest for gay rights in more than a decade.

Students from as far away as the University of Southern California and as close as George Washington University put down their books, rescheduled midterm exams and skipped team practices to bring student voices to the calls for same-sex marriage and an end to the military’s ban on openly gay service members.

On Sunday afternoon, tens of thousands of people marched from the White House to the Capitol to hear speeches from organizers and activists (and a few celebrities, including pop star Lady Gaga). Nicole-Murray Ramirez, a longtime activist and march co-chair, told the crowd that “a sleeping giant has woken among us – GLBT youth and students. Stop telling our youth that they are our future, for they are our here and now. Indeed, the torch of activism and, yes, leadership has been passed on to a new generation … you are charged with fulfilling the dream and fighting for equality.”

Richard Aviles, a freshman at St. Olaf College, spoke on behalf of student organizers, encouraging young people to be comfortable with who they are. “You have a brother at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota,” he said. Students from the State University of New York at Binghamton and Western Kentucky University also spoke.

Before the march, hundreds of students gathered Sunday morning at the Ellipse, just south of the White House, to walk over to McPherson Square, where the official procession began. “Be sure to wear your school shirts and colors!” one note to participants said, and many did. Students decked out in the University of Michigan’s blue and maize said that more than 60 had traveled together from Ann Arbor. More than 200 came from Georgetown University. A handful drove down from Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pa.

“We’re part of a movement that’s been going on for a long time but that most students haven’t had a chance to be part of,” said David Valk, national student outreach coordinator for the march. “They’re experiencing that feeling of getting in the streets and protesting … all of these kids here are going to go back home, back to their colleges and take action.”

He added: “We are the new generation, the next generation.”

In the months leading up to the march, Valk, who graduated earlier this year from the University of California at Los Angeles, collected signatures and statements of support from student leaders at dozens of institutions ranging from Westminster College of Salt Lake City, Utah, to Yale University. In “Call to Action,” the leaders asked “students, no matter their sexual orientation, to organize buses, planes and trains, so we may express our unity and unwavering commitment to freedom and equality.”

Bellarmine University students Matt Livers, a junior, and Ari Ballaban, a senior, drove nine hours Sunday morning from Louisville, Ky., because, Livers said, they wanted to “support the cause.” He added that though their institution is “a small, private, Catholic university, the community is very inclusive of LGBT people, for whatever reason.”

Brandon Gaca, a sophomore at Indiana University at Bloomington, said his campus is a haven in the midst of “a state and a community that’s pretty conservative.” He said there are many student groups to serve LGBT students and their allies.

Gaca was at the protest Sunday with several students he met through the Tumblr blogging platform, including Andrew Wojtek, a senior at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Md. Wojtek said he is “the only openly gay student” among the institution’s 1600 undergraduates; he networks with people at other colleges to meet other gay students.

Because he is the only openly gay student there, Wojtek said, there is no campus LGBT organization and the allies group is “pretty lame, only like five people; I’m not in it myself because it’s so small.” Even so, he added, “it’s not hard for me to be gay on campus.”

Rallying for the Troops

A text message went out to students just before 1 p.m. on Saturday: “ATTN!! FLASH PROTESTS IN DC!! MEET @ WASHINGTON MONUMENT … 3PM. END DONT ASK DONT TELL!”

By 4 p.m., a few hundred students from Ohio University, American University and Texas Women’s University, among other institutions, had gathered at the foot of the monument. After speeches and chants, organizers passed around rolls of gray duct tape and asked students to cover their mouths. “We are silent because they are silent,” Valk told the crowd, invoking the members of the U.S. armed forces who are discharged or choose not to reenlist because of the military’s ban on openly gay service members. "We are students for equality."

Silent or clapping, the group blocked traffic as it walked slowly down 15th Street and turned left on Pennsylvania Avenue. At the White House, the procession stopped, students removed the tape from their mouths and screamed. Valk and other leaders of the procession addressed their chants to President Obama, calling for him to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and take other actions in support of gay Americans.

The group then continued on to George Washington University’s Kogan Plaza, where a series of speakers addressed the students.

One was Todd Belok, a sophomore at GW, who was kicked out of Navy ROTC there last year after two fellow midshipmen told their commander “they saw me kissing someone – my boyfriend.”

Belok's story has encouraged his peers to be vocal in protesting "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" over the last few months. Michael Komo, a junior who is president of the university's LGBT group Allied in Pride, had planned to hold a protest for GW students this weekend before realizing "the great chance we had to get folks from out of town to be a part of what we're doing."

Many GW students, he added, were hosting students visiting for the march. "It's a way for us to contribute," he said, but he also urged students to go back to their own colleges to call for gay rights. “Thanks for making it strong at our school. Now go make it strong at your school.”

Organizing on Campus

Whether it’s easy or difficult to be gay on their own campuses, many students look to social or political LGBT groups for a sense of community.

A few dozen campus leaders – or students hoping to establish groups and become leaders – headed to a church in a residential area of Washington on Saturday afternoon for “How to Organize on Campus: Tips for Effective Organizing on College Campuses,” a workshop where successful leaders spoke about their efforts and a few students sought help in building their own organizations.

One panelist was Brendan Davis, who graduated from Emerson College last spring and now works for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Davis said he struggled to organize LGBT events on campus because the campus was so open. “You’d think it’d be really easy but it wasn’t. People thought there was no need for us, so we really had to work hard to come up with activities we could get people to go to.”

Indiana State University students Colin Hammar and Jordan Toy created Advocates for Equality, a group for gay students and allies, at their Terra Haute campus last year. They work without administration support or a budget and organize “events that cost no money,” Hammar said, sometimes taking cash from their own wallets to pay for food at meetings.

Sylvain Bruni, a graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, talked about his experience working with a bigger budget and administration support. “We go to as many offices and departments as we can, apply for grants, to be able to do our events,” he said. A few years ago, MIT’s annual drag ball cost $15,000. More recently, though, the campus’ LGBT groups spent $50,000 and brought in comedian Margaret Cho.

Ten students from Queens University in Charlotte, N.C., traveled to Washington for the march. They went to Saturday’s event in search of help building a campus group, even as one of their leaders is “still closeted to some people on campus,” he said, and “the university is really not supportive of us.”

— Jennifer Epstein © Copyright 2009 Inside Higher Ed

Continued.

ATTN: FLASH PROTEST!

FWD: ATTN!! FLASH PROTEST!! MEET AT WASHINGTON MONUMENT (15TH AND CONSTITUTION) 3PM. END DONT ASK DONT TELL! WEAR WHITE, BRING WATER AND SPREAD THE WORD!!!

Continued.

PARTY TONIGHT. PROTEST TOMORROW.

Party tonight at TOWN!

Flash protest Saturday!
Time and location announced in the morning.
Text "NOH8" to 313131 to get the text! Stand up and fight!

Continued.

PARTY TONIGHT. PROTEST TOMORROW.

Party tonight at TOWN!

Flash protest Saturday!
Time and location announced in the morning.
Text "NOH8" to 313131 to get the text! Stand up and fight!

Continued.

PARTY TONIGHT. PROTEST TOMORROW.

Party tonight at TOWN!

Flash protest Saturday!
Time and location announced in the morning.
Text "NOH8" to 313131 to get the text! Stand up and fight!

Continued.

PARTY TONIGHT. PROTEST TOMORROW.

Party tonight at TOWN!

Flash protest Saturday!
Time and location announced in the morning.
Text "NOH8" to 313131 to get the text! Stand up and fight!

Continued.

PARTY TONIGHT. PROTEST TOMORROW.

Party tonight at TOWN!

Flash protest Saturday!
Time and location announced in the morning.
Text "NOH8" to 313131 to get the text! Stand up and fight!

Continued.

PARTY TONIGHT. PROTEST TOMORROW.

Party tonight at TOWN!

Flash protest Saturday!
Time and location announced in the morning.
Text "NOH8" to 313131 to get the text! Stand up and fight!

Continued.

Why I will be marching at the National Equality March

This weekend is the National Equality March, and I am proud to be among thousands who will be marching for full fledged LGBTQ equality. I have several reasons for why I will be marching but in the end it all boils down to how I think LGBTQ America is sick and tired of blatant discrimination in public, in the work force, and at home. In particular, I have experienced firsthand what it feels like to be discriminated against just because of my sexual orientation.

Last year, I was a hard working midshipman at The George Washington University's Naval ROTC. Becoming a naval officer had always been a dream of mine and I felt honored to be working towards that dream. However, several months into school two of my fellow midshipmen reported to my commanding officer that they had seen me kiss my boyfriend. The next week I was called into my CO's office to discuss the situation and within three months I was involuntarily disenrolled. My performance as a midshipman was not even factored into the decision to disenroll me. As a result of the antiquated and discriminatory Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy my command was forced to separate me from the organization that I had devoted so much to.

This is why I am marching both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, GW will be hosting a Student Driven Flash Protest against the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. If you haven't already, please text the word "NOH8" to 313131 and sign up to receive the text for when and where the protest will be! Don't Ask, Don't Tell is an archaic law that has hurt over 13,000 servicemembers since its inception. We need full equality in all 50 states now.

I look forward to marching with you,

Todd Belok

Continued.

CALLING ALL STUDENTS--MARCH TOGETHER!!!

Students from across the country are mobilizing to be part of the National Equality March. NEM student organizers think it will be a powerful experience for all students who come to march together and show that we are united in this civil rights struggle of our generation.

We invite all students and student organizations from campuses around the country to march with NEMstudents. By marching together, LGBTQ students from across the country will be able to meet each other, exchange information and potentially establish a network of student activists across the country. This will be very important as we continue to organize once we go back home. NEMstudents have secured a permit for the Ellipse from Park Services and that will serve as the gathering spot for march contingent. The Ellipse is a few short blocks from where the National Equality March will step off at 12noon.

Students will gather at the Ellipse (15th and E) at 10am and march as a block to join the National Equality March at 12noon. We encourage students coming from campuses around the country to march together with banners, signs, and placards representing their schools. Be sure to wear your school shirts and colors!

For more information and further details about the student contingent contact:
Keeanga Taylor
773-616-0230
keeanga@u.northwestern.edu

Dave Valk
949-350-8773
dvalk@ucla.edu

Continued.

NEMstudents Schedule of Events!

Tuesday, October 6
NEMSTUDENTS FUNDRAISER
Time: 6:00pm - 11:00pm
Address: 1625 15th St. NW Apt 4

Join Ashton in supporting the STUDENTS for the National Equality March with coordinator Dave Valk for a whole night of 80's music on Tuesday, October 6. We will be drinking/munching at my place before 80's night officially begins at Cobalt!

Visit http://www.nemstudents.org/ to sign up for the flash protest on Oct 10.

The fundraiser will start at the home of Ashton Giese -- call apartment 4 for entry. Please contribute as much as you would like - at least $5 so Student's for the National Equality March can fund its action on Oct 10!

Todd Belok, GW Student removed from ROTC for kissing his boyfriend will also be in attendance.

Nick Pineiro's art work depicting how the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy affects students will also be raffled off.

Donations (as little as $5) can also be sent via bill pay or mail to Ashton Giese 1625 15th Street NW Apt 4, Washington, DC 20009

MORE INFO ON FACEBOOK!

Friday, October 9
PARTY AT TOWN DANCEBOUTIQUE
Time: 9:00pm - close (but go to bed early... Saturday is a big day!)
Address: 2008 8th St. NW DC

On Friday, October 9, Students for the National Equality March will host a fun, crazy party for all students 18+ and their friends/admirers :)

The party starts around 9 at TOWN. Two levels of dancing, partying, and a good time with other students and young people from around the country who will be in DC for the NEM.

18+ (its college night baby)
Cover is $12 and proceeds will support NEMstudents!

More info about the club at http://towndc.com

MORE INFO ON FACEBOOK!

Saturday, October 10
FLASH PROTEST
STUDENTS AND SERVICEMEMBERS CALL FOR IMMEDIATE END OF DADT!
Time: To be announced by text message Saturday morning
Location: To be announced by text message Saturday morning

**********************************************************
TEXT the keyword "NOH8" to 313131 TO GET THE INFO!!
-or-
Sign up at http://NEMstudents.org
**********************************************************

On SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, the day before the National Equality March, students and servicemembers will come together in Washington DC to call for an immediate end of Don't Ask Don't Tell-- the discriminatory policy that denies STUDENTS equal opportunity to participate in ROTC campus programming, and further, gain equal access to scholarships and funding.

This is a FLASH PROTEST. The exact time and location will be announced by TEXT MESSAGE on Saturday, which can be signed up for free at http://NEMstudents.org.

The protest will include the imagery of http://NoH8Campaign.com. We will be conducting a SILENT PROTEST to bring awareness to the inaction of our federal government to end DADT.

The protest will lead to George Washington University where we will END THE SILENCE with powerful speeches from individuals, including Todd Belok, a GW sophomore who was removed from his ROTC unit just last year... simply for being gay.
http://bit.ly/7aeaJ


The FLASH PROTEST will be lead by the Students for the National Equality March, the Service Members Legal Defense Network, Servicemembers United, GW Veterans, NoH8Campaign.com, and many individuals, including Todd Belok, Lt. Dan Choi, and many others.


**********************************************************
TEXT the keyword "NOH8" to 313131 TO GET THE INFO!!
-or-
Sign up at http://NEMstudents.org
**********************************************************

MORE INFO ON FACEBOOK!

Sunday, October 11
NATIONAL EQUALITY MARCH - STUDENT CONTINGENT!
Time: Meet-up at 10:00am
Location: At the Ellipse, 15th and E

Want to be at the front of the March? Meet-up with students and youth at 15th and E at 10am. We'll make our way over together and help lead the way!

MORE INFO ON FACEBOOK!

Continued.

End the Silence Campaign

Miami photographer, Nicholas Pineiro, has created this imagery, splicing his End the Silence campaign with the graphic designs of Patrick Lupinski. The images will be used as we continue to get the word out about the student flash protest and the National Equality March. Help us get the word out! Text the keyword "NEMSTUDENTS" to 313131 and we'll tell you the time and location to meet up on Saturday, October 10!

Continued.

HEY STUDENTS!! CHEAP AIRFARE!!

HEY STUDENTS!!

So you want to go to the National Equality March, but you live far away, and you can't afford the airfare!? Here's a solution!!

AirtranU has a cheap standby program. Check it out!

"To qualify for AirTran U, you must be 18 to 22 years old; you don't have to be a student. But once you've reached your 23rd birthday, you're no longer eligible. You are allowed to carry an infant under two years of age in your arms at no additional charge."

Students for the NEM is committed to helping you find more solutions so you can be part of the National Equality March on October 10 & 11. Be sure to check out the forums (http://NEMstudents.org/forum) and post other ideas you have and connect with students from around the country who want to be part of this important event!

Check out the flight map.

Continued.

New York: National Equality March Fundraiser @ Elmo!

In New York? Check out these really great events that are taking place TODAY!

Elmo Restaurant & Barracuda Lounge host National Equality March Fundraiser @ Elmo!

National Equality March is excited to announce its NYC fundraiser to be held @ Elmo on Sept 24th, 2009 at 9 pm!

What: Benefit Party for The National Equality March on Washington
When: Thursday, September 24, 9:00 PM until midnight
Who: Two Floors/Two DJs .....DJ Scott Jones DJ David Serrano
With: Special Guest - Cleve Jones! Guest Hosts - Sherry Vine and Mistress Formika
Wow: Complimentary Grey Goose Cocktails

Tickets are $30 in advance, and $40 at the door

Purchase at http://nationalequalitymarch.eventbrite.com/

This event is sponsored by Elmo and Barracuda. As a result of their generosity, your entire ticket price will go towards the funding of the National Equality March.

Space is limited, please buy your tickets early.



Host Committee:
Bob Pontarelli, Michael Holtz, Lt. Dan Choi, Andy Towle, Randy Jones, Gilbert Baker, Alan Cumming, Itay Hod, Corey Johnson, Chip Arndt, Peter Yacobellis, Michelle Clunie, Gary Maffei, Dave Valk, Derek Hartley, Romaine Patterson, Will Wikle, Bill Kapfer, Michelangelo Signorile, Alex Kelston, Daniel Korn, Peter Stamberg, Jen Roesch, Jevin Dornic, Von Lopez-Jacobs, Tanner Efinger, Kevin Oswoski, Kyle Knight, Josh Tjaden, Gavin Vallance, Ronnie Gensler, Ben Rosen, Brian Lynch, Michael Conti, Jason Haas, Bruce Hermann, Stephen Heighton, Akash Abraham, and Wayne Ting

Continued.

New York: CLEVE JONES @ Columbia University

In New York? Check out these really great events that are taking place TODAY!

The National Equality March NYC Mobilization Steering Committee is hosting CLEVE JONES @ Columbia University.

http://march.cqanyc.com

This Thursday, Sept 24th, please join us and community leaders for a conversation with one of America's most renown gay rights activists about the National Equality March, which is scheduled for October 11, 2009 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Cleve Jones began a career in activism as a protégé of Harvey Milk. He later founded the AIDS Memorial Quilt and continues to be one of our community's most influencial voices.

Earlier this year he called for a national march on Washington to mobilize a grass roots movement to achieve full civil equality at the federal level and in all fifty states.

On October 11th, 2009, we will gather in Washington, D.C. from all across America to let our elected leaders know that now is the time for full equal rights for LGBT Americans.

Come hear him explain why our time is now!

Columbia students may register for bus transportation at
http://march.cqanyc.com

For buses open to the public and other transportation options visit:
http://nationalequalitymarch.org/nyctransportation

Rain location: hamilton hall rom 516

Continued.

Students announce FLASH PROTEST - Sign up for free text message alert to get the exact details!

On this National Day of Action, the Students for the National Equality March (NEMstudents) call for an IMMEDIATE end to the discriminatory Don't Ask Don't Tell policy, as it denies students equal opportunity to participate in ROTC campus programs and gain access to student scholarships and grants. Students and youth will engage in a flash protest on Saturday, October 10, the day before the National Equality March. Exact details of time and location will be announced to participants by text message the morning of the protest-- and can be received by signing up for free at http://nemstudents.org.

Students for the National Equality March have sent out this press release:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Valk
dvalk@ucla.edu
949.350.8773

Students to Protest “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” During National Equality March

Los Angeles, CA, September 22 -- On Saturday, October 10, the day before the National Equality March (NEM), students will come together with service members organizations, including the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, Servicemembers United, Knights Out, and the GW Veterans, to protest and call for an immediate end to the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy, which denies students equal opportunity to participate in ROTC programs and gain access to grants and scholarships.

According to Dave Valk, student outreach coordinator for NEM, it will be a silent protest with participants wearing duct tape over their mouths. The protest will move to George Washington University where Lt. Dan Choi and other leaders will speak and ask participants to tear off the duct tape, "because we will no longer be silent on these issues."

"The Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy is discriminatory, wasteful, and dangerous," said Valk. "The sight of thousands of young people protesting the policy in the streets of Washington will make it clear that the policy is doomed."

The call to action has received endorsements from over 100 student leaders, including the student body presidents of top universities.

“This is more than a student movement-- it's a civil rights movement,” said Valk.

Details of the protest, including the exact time and location to meet, will be announced to all participants by text message. Protest organizers will be working with NoH8Campaign.com to get more friends to sign up for this free service at http://NEMstudents.org.

# # #

Continued.

Get the word out... download the flyers!

Want a really easy way to get the word out on campus about the National Equality March? Download these cool flyers! You can use them to post up on campus and around your community, and you can even customize them by adding your name, contact info, and the date and time of your next meeting. The National Equality March is just a few weeks away, and we need to really work hard to make sure more students are aware of this important and historic event!

Download the flyers HERE!

Continued.

Today is the National Day of Action!

Calling all Students!!

Use this National Day of Action to publicize and mobilize for the National Equality March on October 11.

Whether you are an individual or part of a student organization, do an action on Tuesday, September 22, to let people know the NEM is happening.

The NEM is coming up quickly so plan an action as soon as you can. Possible actions include:
--organizing a speak-out on campus
--do a movie screening of MILK or another movie or documentary
--organize a meeting like National Equality March for LGBTQ Civil Rights: What it is and Why You Should Go.
--Write a letter or op-ed to campus newspapers
--organize yourself or other students to hand out fliers about the NEM

There are many things anyone can do to help get the word out about the protest on your campus. Once you let students know then figure out how you are going to get people to Washington DC.

Add friends to the facebook page.

Check out the event page.

Download the FLYER to print out at:

Share ideas with other students at the FORUMS!

Continued.

Students for the National Equality March Issue Call to Action

September 17, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Students for the National Equality March Issue Call to Action

Students for the National Equality March (NEMStudents,) have issued a call to action, demanding that students across the country organize for the event and for the long-term movement for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) rights. The statement echoes the single demand of the National Equality March for full and equal protection for LGBT people in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

NEMStudents acknowledge the historical significance of the National Equality March and of prior student movements for social justice. All students, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, are encouraged to sign the call to action. Over 100 student leaders, among them representatives of Princeton, Yale, Carnegie Mellon, Tulane University, Texas Tech, Columbia, UCLA, and NYU have signed thus far. Student organizations in all 435 congressional districts of the U.S. are organizing for the National Equality March and building a national network of student activists, indicating a distinctly bottom-up organizational structure that has been absent from many previous LGBTQ marches. The organization's website atwww.NEMStudents.org offers links and resources to aid students in finding transportation, housing, and support.

NEMStudents have also announced a Student Day of Action to take place September 22. Students are urged to promote the March by flyering, organizing meetings to educate about the March, writing to campus newspapers, organizing speak-outs, and screening LGBTQ films, such as the critically acclaimed Milk.

The National Equality March is the first march for LGBTQ rights since President Clinton held office and takes place October 10-11, 2009 in Washington DC.

For further comment, contact David Valk (National Student Outreach Coordinator) atdvalk@ucla.com or 949-350-8773.

CALL TO ACTION

"Students around the world have been at the forefront of movements to promote democracy and human rights. Student movements have toppled powerful dictatorships and military juntas. Student movements have ended wars. And student activism has often served as the conscience for nations, reminding people in times of turmoil of the founding ideals of their countries and the aspirations of all people for justice, dignity, and equality."
--Glenn Omatsu, Professor, California State University, Northridge

The United States must end its system of inhumane segregation that continues to discriminate against LGBTQ Americans, denying equal opportunity to serve one’s country, denying the equal right to marry, and denying equal access to over 1,000 rights, benefits and protections granted to all American citizens.

As student leaders we refuse to remain silent in the face of what we know is the greatest civil rights movement of our generation. We must speak out and be among those who express outrage at the hatred and discrimination that is inflicted upon our fellow citizens. To remain silent is to endorse hatred. So we add our voices to the increasing millions who demand justice, freedom, and equality for America's LGBTQ citizens.

We urge all students to converge on Washington D.C. on October 10th & 11th for the National Equality March. We urge our students, no matter their sexual orientation, to organize buses, planes and trains, so we may express our unity and unwavering commitment to freedom and equality. Now is the time to speak out against this outrage and now is the time to march side by side in a powerful show of force in the struggle for freedom.

LIST OF ENDORSEMENTS

UNIVERSITY STUDENT BODY PRESIDENTS

Cinthia Flores, Student Body President, University of California, Los Angeles
Connor Diemand-Yauman, Student Body President, Princeton University
Anthony Chong, Student Body President, California Institute of Technology
Jon Wu, Student Body President, Yale University
Rammy Salem, Student Body President, Cornell University
Patrick McAnaney, Student Body President, Rice University
Brandon Rattiner, Student Body President, Tufts University
Liam O’Rourke, Student Body President, University of Texas, Austin
Brandon Gross, Student Body President, Tulane University
Ifrad Islam, Student Body President, Clark University
Terral Ainooson, Student Body President, University of Massachusetts, Boston
Charlie Areola, Student Body President, University of California, Santa Barbara
Kristi Kremers, Student Body President, University of Minnesota
Jake Faleschini, Student Body President, University of Washington
Utsav Gupta, Student Body President, University of California, San Diego
Jeffrey A. Anderson, Vice President of Student Affairs, University of Minnesota
Kaitlin Johnson, Vice President for Grants, University of Minnesota
Adam J. Cole, Student Body President, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Yi Wang, Student Representative, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Malaika K. Singleton, Chair, University of California, Davis
Carrie Carmody, Student Body President, University of California, Irvine
Merri Ebel, Student Body President, Carnegie Mellon University
Brody Leven, Student Body President, Westminster College of Salt Lake City, Utah
Calen Angert, Student Body President, Georgetown University
Jon Turk, Student Body President, Iowa State University
Bryce Jones, Student Body President, University of Vermont
Jarrod Wolf, Student Body President, University of Chicago
David Gobaud, Student Body President, Stanford University
Beatrice H. Boswell, Secretary, California State University, Bakersfield
Miguel Daal, Student Body President, University of California, Berkeley
Kristi Kremers, Student Body President, University of Minnesota
Carrie Carmody, Student Body President, University of California, Irvine
Joshua Sussman, Student Body President, University at Albany Student Association
Christopher M. Nagata, Student Body President, Associated Students of Arizona
Paul J. Strain, Student Body President, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Steven M. Glickman, Student Body President, University of Maryland, College Park
Jonathan Turk, Student Body President, Iowa State University
Robert Leary, Student Body President, Ohio University
Xavier Chen, Student Body President, Loyola University Chicago
Bryce Jones, Student Body President, University of Vermont
Andy MacCracken, Student Body President, American University
Tim Lolli, Student Body President, University of Cincinnati
Beth Cahill, Student Body President, Ball State University
Yasmin Karimian, Student Body President, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Julie Bindelglass, Student Body President, George Washington University
Grant Engrav, Student Body President, University of Hartford
Stuart LeJeune Watkins, Student Body President, Louisiana State University

UNIVERSITY STUDENT REGENTS

Jesse Bernal, Student Regent, University of California
Sarah Elfreth, Student Regent, University System of Maryland
Victor Sanchez, Vice Chair of External Affairs, UC Santa Cruz
Ben Golden, Student Regent, University of Washington
Jesse Cheng, Student Regent-Designate, University of California
Jean-Paul Willynck, Student Regent, University of Washington
Erin Lennon, Student Regent, University of Washington

NATIONAL STUDENT LEADERS

Ian Magruder, President, California College Democrats
Gregory Cendana, President, United States Student Association
David Valk, National Student Outreach Coordinator, National Equality March

STUDENT LEADERS

Todd Belok, Student Leader, George Washington University
Keeanga Taylor, Student Leader, Northwestern University
Rachelle Smith, Student Leader, University of the Arts
Andrew Striker, Trevor Project's National Youth Advisory Council, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida
LaKeia Spady, OUT Students and Allies, Houston Community College
Corina Cantu, Student Leader, The University of Texas at Austin
Joanna Whitfield, Student Leader
Gina Sartori, Student Leader, New York University
Jessie Otradovec, Student Leader, Madison, Wisconsin
Elizabeth Bennett, Student Leader, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA
Matthew Pillischer, Student Leader, Temple University
Paul Lauricella, Student Leader, SUNY Brockport
Jennifer Halligan, Student Leader, West Chester University of PA
Fermin Valle, Student Leader, Grand Valley State University
Edna Bonhomme, Student Leader, Columbia University
Chelsy Pennyamon, Student Leader, Notre Dame of Maryland in Baltimore
Brittni Tanenbaum, University of California LGBTQIA Assoc. Co-Chair
UC Santa Barbara Associated Students Queer Commission, Co-Chair
Camille White-Avian, Oregon Student Equal Rights Association, Portland State University
Matt Hill, Student Leader, James Madison University
Tim Ward, Student Leader, Michigan Technological University
Jesse Jayne Wardrip, President, SPECTRUM, University of Southern Indiana
Anne Price, Student Leader
Jaclynn Chiodini, Student Leader, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Merri Ebel, President, ALLIES, Carnegie Mellon University
J. Eliot DeGolia, Vice President, ALLIES, Carnegie Mellon University
Steven Wyatt, Student Leader, equality, University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana
Amy Gillette, Student Leader, Texas Tech University
Lucie Prather, Student Leader, Hunter College High School, New York City
Louis Warner-Kamsler, Student Leader, Hunter College High School, New York City
JayTee, Student Leader, Hudson Valley Community College
Joe Graumann, Co-Chair, GU Pride, Georgetown University
Carlos De Leon-Ojeda, Co-Chair, GU Pride, Georgetown University
Laura Kresse, Treasurer, GU Pride, Georgetown University
Joshua Williams, Student Leader, Northwestern University
Julien Ball, Student Leader, University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Mark Leach, Student Leader, University of Vermont in Burlington
Rosa Huezo, Student Leader, San Francisco State University
Sarah Wilensky, Student Leader, University of Bloomington
Carly Bell, Student Leader, University of Bloomington
Jackie Greenspan, Student Leader, University of Bloomington
Liz Mills, Student Leader, Wilmington College
Matt Hagee, Student Leader, Wilmington College
Joanne Wiedman, Student Leader, The College of New Jersey
Letitia Howard, Student Leader, Clayton State University
Brian Kwoba, Student Leader, Cambridge Rindge and Latin School
Kevin Lynch, Student Leader, Michigan State University
Kristin Lubbert, Student Organizer, City College of San Francisco
Chanelle John, Student Organizer, Simmons College
Natalie Mann, GSA Representative, University of California, Davis
Marnie Morales, Student Leader, University of California, Davis
Matt Leblanc, LGBTQ Resource Center Program Coordinator, Georgetown University
Aaron Fox, LGBTQ Resource Center Program Coordinator, George Washington University
Jared Ozga, Student Leader, Providence College
Rayyan Ghuma, Student Leader, Howard University
Suzaana Rose, Student Leader

# # #

Continued.

National Day of Action - September 22!

Students for the National Equality March announce the National Day of Action!

Calling all Students!!

Use this National Day of Action to publicize and mobilize for the National Equality March on October 11.

Whether you are an individual or part of a student organization, do an action on Tuesday, September 22, to let people know the NEM is happening.

The NEM is coming up quickly so plan an action as soon as you can. Possible actions include:
--organizing a speak-out on campus
--do a movie screening of MILK or another movie or documentary
--organize a meeting like National Equality March for LGBTQ Civil Rights: What it is and Why You Should Go.
--Write a letter or op-ed to campus newspapers
--organize yourself or other students to hand out fliers about the NEM

There are many things anyone can do to help get the word out about the protest on your campus. Once you let students know then figure out how you are going to get people to Washington DC.

1. Invite your friends to the FACEBOOK EVENT!

2. Download FLYERS and post them around your campus and community!

3. Share ideas with other students at the FORUMS!

Continued.

A.M. Bowen: Why Students Must March

This article by student organizer, Andy Bowen, has been reposted from Campus Pride Blog.

There is going to be an LGBTQ march on Washington on October 10-11, 2009—officially named the National Equality March. The premise is a simple one: “Equal protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states.” Arguments have been made by movement figureheads in favor of the March. David Mixner, Sherry Wolf, Cleve Jones, and several others have provided other terrific arguments. I feel no real need to restate them in full.

I’ve got something a little different to say to student leaders.

I graduated from college a little over a year ago, but I plan on going back to school before too long—I consider myself something of a student on hiatus. In any case, people still in school are of my generation. And it was in my later years of college that my activist self started peeking out, feeling proud. It was a little bit of college activism that eventually led me to volunteer with the DC Host Committee (and its the Student Outreach Subcommittee) of the National Equality March. And it’s students, people learning about the world and themselves, that I tend to focus my thinking on.

Today’s LGBTQ students have come of age in one of those “best of times, worst of times” periods. Thanks to things activists did before and around the time we were born, greater acceptance of LGBTQ people grew in the United States at the same time we did. However, reactive forces came to a head in the era, too. I was seven when Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was signed into law, ten with the Defense of Marriage Act became part of the US Code. Current students, undergrad and grad, were maybe a little younger or a little older than I was when those things happened, but they happened in our formative years, and they represented the death wail of a long-entrenched homonegativity.

And so we grew up, discovered our sexualities, genders, personalities, and politics as we became targets of national political hysteria—targets because of the things we were realizing were inescapably us. Queer kids were hated, yelled at, beaten, killed, thrown out of their homes, diagnosed with HIV and AIDS, denied healthcare, thrown out of the military, and so much more, as had happened to generations past; and all the while, politicians of both parties codified hatred of us with military exclusion and denial of marriage equality. A President of the United States told a joint session of Congress, on prime time television, in a State of the Union Address (!) that marriage was between one man and one woman, and the Constitution should be amended to make it that way. It was a Hell of a time to grow up queer, and that might be the understatement of my lifetime.

And we had to grow up in this. All of that meanness—baseness and cruelty—on top of learning long division, photosynthesis, and stick-shift. Bigotry and indifference to cruelty and suffering on top of figuring out how to live.

And yet—we’ve made it.

There were some awful banner headlines for LGBTQ people, but like I said, the bad parts were part of a death wail. Energy has been building for our movement(s). It’s probably safe to say, without a lot of citations, that the United States is more accepting of LGBTQ people with every generation. For the ill-named Generation Y—most of the crop of students right now—coming-of-age conditions were hardly ideal, but they were in a broad sense likely an improvement over what previous generations of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender, queer and questioning people had to face. We had Gay-Straight Alliances in high school, Pride groups at college, Safe Spaces—a plethora of institutions where, if one hateful place shut us out, we could find a home. When things have been bad, we’ve made use of these things, and found ways to survive, even thrive with feistiness, in public.

So, yes, good energy has clashed with bad in our time, and the good looks to be on the gain. Thus—the National Equality March.

There are the oft-cited—and really good—reasons to march. Namely, we have a lot of things that need pushing and that can be pushed in an LGBTQ-friendly direction: a US President who at least talked a good game on civil rights on the campaign trail; Democrats (who are imperfect, but who are still basically nicer to us, policy-wise) in both houses of Congress. Next to those, we have momentum on marriage equality, and realistic hopes of getting a trans-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Fine, yes, awesome. Good reasons to march.

But students, there’s a special reason for us to march: we have ourselves as witnesses and evidence that bigots, moralizers, merely opportunistic people who want votes of bigots and moralizers, all the other pain we know—all of that buffeting through our formative years has just made us hungrier and smarter about getting justice. We’ve seen the hurt that can come to LGBTQ people, we’ve lived through it, gotten old enough to make a difference, and now—well, now we just have to make the difference.

And that’s why you have to show up on October 10 and 11. That’s why you need to go to your legislators’ offices, and tell them you want marriage equality, nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and in all, full equality. That’s why we need to show up on the West Capitol lawn on October 11, and then march through the streets of DC and every other city we can show up in.

We can be the last generation that had to live without full equality, that had to live with a fear of violence and ostracism. We can get rid of those things—we just have to do so.

Continued.

Nationwide Student Organizing Conference Call

Today's the day!

We're having a nationwide conference call at 3pM PST/5PM CST/6PM EST and all students organizing for the National Equality March are encouraged to join! We'll be discussing valuable information about campus organizing, setting up fundraisers and transportation, raising awareness about the March, and how to keep connected.

Just call in, and please be sure to mute your phone!

(712) 775-7200
Access: 313219#

Feel free to email questions you would like answered on the call, otherwise, start taking advantage of the forums to connect with other students. More info.

Continued.

Fundraiser tonight in Seattle, Washington!

On Thursday we were in Orange County, CA supporting students raising money for transportation to get to the National Equality March. Tonight we're in Seattle with the Queer Advocate Brigade, a team of students and young people who will be ROAD TRIPPING to DC, raising awareness, and rallying for equal rights along the way!

Check out their website and be sure to see us tonight at the event, REBUT!

Tonight starting at 4PM at Chapel in Seattle, Washington.

If you are having an event or fundraiser to raise awareness for the National Equality March, get in touch and we'll post it up here as well!

Continued.

Sign the Call to Action!

Below is our Call to Action for all students. You can 'sign' and endorse the Call by replying to this post!

CALL TO ACTION

"Students around the world have been at the forefront of movements to
promote democracy and human rights. Student movements have toppled powerful
dictatorships and military juntas. Student movements have ended wars. And
student activism has often served as the conscience for nations, reminding
people in times of turmoil of the founding ideals of their countries and the
aspirations of all people for justice, dignity, and equality." -Glenn Omatsu, Educator

The United States must end its system of Apartheid that continues to discriminate against LGBTQ Americans, denying equal opportunity to serve one’s country, denying the equal right to marry, and denying equal access to over 1,000 rights, benefits and protections granted to all American citizens.

As student leaders we refuse to remain silent in the face of what we know is the greatest civil rights movement of our generation. We must speak out and be among those who express outrage at the hatred and discrimination that is inflicted upon our fellow citizens. To remain silent is to endorse hatred. So we add our voices to the increasing millions who demand justice, freedom, and equality for America's LGBTQ citizens.

We urge all students to converge on Washington D.C. on October 10th & 11th for the National Equality March. We urge our students, no matter their sexual orientation, to organize buses, planes and trains, so we may express our unity and unwavering commitment to freedom and equality. Now is the time to speak out against this outrage and now is the time to march side by side in a powerful show of force in the struggle for freedom.

Continued.

Check out the Facebook Page!

Check out the Facebook page and be sure to add all your friends!

Continued.

Follow Students for the National Equality March on Twitter

Follow us on Twitter @NEMstudents

Continued.