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by Alan Roth

Coalition Marches On D.C.

We were there, in Washington, D.C., on the first of May. Marching together with our lesbian and gay sisters and brothers, and in solidarity with other victims of Reaganism, the economic hard times and of discrimination.

For most of us, this march represented a turning point in the movement for our rights. It was a time when the demand for "Lesbian and Gay Rights Now" was very much a part of the overall call for "Jobs, Equality and Human Needs, not War in El Salvador."

The Washington march was initiated by the All-Peoples Congress, a national coalition of hundreds of grass-roots communitybased organizations, including many from our community. It was formed less than one year ago to combat the increased attacks on the living standards of the common people and the need to fight to end racism, sexism, antiSemitism and anti-lesbian/gay bigotry.

When this Congress met 3,000 strong in Detroit last October, it mandated a week of resistance to Reaganism, that began on April 24 through May 1. Over 100 cities participated.

There is much to report about the march itself of nearly 12,000 people. Just a glimpse among the faces reveals many Black women, some with their children. Many were marching to say NO to the cuts in welfare, food stamps and other vital social services. Many had earlier taken part in a hunger walk, and now led the march.

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And in the middle of it all was a very alive contingent of lesbians and gay men. Their colorful signs and banners stressed the need for unity in the fight to stop the Family Protection Act and other Jerry Fallwell-type bigots.

We were very much accepted by the other demonstrators as common sisters and brothers in the fight for justice and equality. Not only were we seen in the streets, but speaker after speaker recognized our demands. One speaker, Gwendolyn Rogers, a Black lesbian, representing the Lesbian and Gay Focus of the Peoples Anti-War Mobilization, standing in front of the Capitol, asked, "What kind of system is it that persecutes and harasses lesbians and gays for loving whomever we choose, while supporting

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the racist apartheid regime in southern Africa? It's a system that needs to divide and exploit people."

Following the marchers were mini-buses, carrying many elderly, disabled and others who were unable to walk the length of the march. Many other disabled people in wheelchairs formed their own contingent. The sound truck followed, leading chants. For the hearing-impaired, who also marched together, each chant was signed for them, and they in turn signed back in unison just as others chanted.

Here in Cleveland, the local APC held a "street meeting" on Saturday, April 24, in front of the May Company downtown. With leaflets, petitions and a sound system, they brought the

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message to shoppers. Many lesbians and gays stopped at the table, signed a petition, bought a lesbian and gay rights button, and some signed up to go to the Washington march.

The lesson of these protests was that our movement can be a significant part of other movements for peoples' rights. Speaking to other Clevelanders who attended, we saw how our coming out of the political closet will Lesbians and gays are hardly immune to lay-offs, low wages, high prices and the other economic ills we face today. History has shown quite clearly, that when times are hard, scapegoats are always found to deflect the peoples' anger, and to divide the unity. Scapegoats can be Black and other non-white people, women, Jews, undocumented workers, and, of course, lesbians and gay men.

The All-Peoples Congress proved at this march that a movement for lesbian and gay rights can become part and parcel of the general movement against injustice. Such alliances are our best defense.

This Washington march, according to local APC organizers, is merely a foundation to build on. And a larger movement, with many lesbians and gays in the leadership, can and will be built.

(The Cleveland APC is located at 2012 West 25, #602, Cleveland, OH 44113; phone is 861-6154.)

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