Time To Plan For The June 11th LGBTQ Solidarity March…Both of Them

The “Equality March for Unity & Pride” is a grassroots movement which will mobilize the diverse LGBTQ+ communities to peacefully and clearly address concerns about the current political landscapes and how it is contributing to the persecution and discrimination of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Progress has been made over the past decade in the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ inclusion, access, and justice, but there’s still so much more to be done – especially since the progress we’ve achieved is currently being threatened by increased hostile rhetoric, discriminatory policies, and violence perpetrated against the most vulnerable in our communities.

We will use the Equality March, and sister events across the country, to give voice to our concerns, and to support, uplift, and bring attention to those in our communities who are targeted due to immigration status, ethnicity, religion, skin color, gender, and disability. We affirm and celebrate that we are a mix of diverse communities.  Lack of unity has caused many of our needs to be neglected or ignored. But now, for 2017 and beyond, we are working to learn from our prior mistakes and come together through common belief in inalienable human rights and dignity for all.

And, in an annoying tradition of non-cooperation and bickering opponents, Seattle actually has two marches being planned for Sunday, June 11th. There is Charlette LeFevre/Capitol Hill Pride’s EQUALITY MARCH SEATTLE event which announced first, back in January right after the national march was announced, and a competing solidarity march, SEATTLE PRIDE MARCH created by Egan Orion from Seattle PrideFest who put on the annual festival at Seattle Center. Both have a start time of 11 am and both marches start on Capitol Hill…LeFevre’s march will gather on Pike Street between Broadway and 12th Ave then march down 12th Avenue to Aloha and then to Broadway to finish up at this year’s Capitol Hill Pride Festival staging area. LeFevre moved her annual Broadway event from its customary Pride Saturday spot on the last weekend of June, in order to help facilitate this march/rally.  This route mimics one taken for similar smaller marches like the Dyke March. This march has a dedicated website with a map and schedule.

PrideFest’s Orion got the backing of nearly every major LGBTQ organization in Seattle and more cooperation from the City of Seattle. It has higher aims with a congregating point in Capitol Hill’s Cal Anderson Park, one block from the LeFevre staging area and at the exact same time. We’ve reached out to PrideFest about their route plans and been told it’s going to march down Pine to downtown and then along 4th Avenue to Seattle Center, mimicking the route taken by Seattle Pride’s actual Sunday Pride Day parade.

Is this all a bit confusing and unnecessary?

Yes.

We’re also a tad concerned that we haven’t seen much excitement or even talk about this very important protest on social media or in person. Seattle needs a strong showing of solidarity and a sea of diverse faces on Sunday June 11th with protest signs and banners. We urge you to find other marchers to participate with. If you’re associated with any local organization like Three Dollar Bill Cinema, or Gay City, or Pride Asia then contact them about helping create/coordinate with a marching group. OR, just gather friends together to march.

PrideFest is organizing a sign making party on Friday, June 9th at 12th Avenue Arts from 6pm to 7:30…they are providing art materials! We also urge people to create MORE sign making parties in the next 10 days…the more, the merrier!

Here’s the “statement of purpose” from the PrideFest march: