The local delegation (9th Congressional District) for the National Equality March will hold its second planning meeting tonight at the Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center at 6:30 p.m.
The team will be discussing plans to travel to Washington DC on October 11th for a march to demand equal rights across the board for LGBT citizens. That includes the right to marry, a repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” and the passage of an inclusive federal non-discrimination act and hate crimes bill. They’ll also discuss local lobbying efforts to inform Tennessee legislators about the need for LGBT rights.
Last week, a few members of the local team met with Vicki Walling of Congressman John Tanner’s office. Tanner represents the 8th Congressional District, which includes Millington. According to Tommy Simmons, a local organizer with the National Equality March delegation, there’s still a huge need for LGBT awareness and education in “rural, military personnel-influenced districts like TN-08.” That lack of education makes equality a tough sell, Simmons says.
For more information on tonight’s meeting, check out the local group’s Facebook page.
