The first National March for Lesbian and Gay Rights took place in Washington, D.C. on October 14, 1979. Similar to the March on Washington for Jobs & Freedom, the march aimed at solidifying the gay rights movement on a national level while advocating for the passage of a Protective Civil Rights Legislation. Up to 125, 000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender individuals, including straight allies marched the streets of the capital to plea for equal civil rights. The march had five demands that would bring equality to homosexuals in the country:
1. Pass a comprehensive Lesbian/Gay Rights Bill in Congress
2. Issue a Presidential Executive Order banning discrimination based on Sexual Orientation in the Federal Government, the Military, and Federally Contracted private employment
3. Repeal all Anti-Lesbian/Gay Laws
4. End discrimination in Lesbian-Mother and Gay-Father custody cases
5. Protect Lesbian and Gay Youth from any Laws which are used to discriminate, oppress, and/or harass them in their Homes, Schools, Jobs, and Social Environment.
Beyond the March, there were three days set aside for workshops that focused on local organization, specific issues regarding the LGBT community and raising awareness of the movement. Organizers of the march also developed a “Constituent Lobbying Day” in which individuals would speak to their U.S. Representatives and Senators on the need for Gay-Rights legislation in the U.S. Though many of the demands sought out from the march were not met, the March represented the unity that the gay-rights movement has been building throughout the years. After the march, the gay-rights movement was no longer focused on local struggles, but was now steered towards national recognition.
Ghaziani, A. (2005, March 1). Breakthrough: The 1979 National March | The Gay & Lesbian Review. Retrieved April 22, 2014, from https://www.glreview.org/article/article-1175/
Goad, A. (2013, October 14). National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights was 34 years ago today | San Diego Gay and Lesbian News. Retrieved April 22, 2014, from http://sdgln.com/news/2013/10/14/national-march-washington-lesbian-and-gay-rights-34-years-ago-today
March on Washington: Official Souvenir Program. (1979, October 14). Retrieved April 22, 2014, from http://www.rainbowhistory.org/pdf/MOWprogram.pdf
Gay Rights Movement 