The Madison-based Civil Marriage Equality Coalition rallied Saturday on Library Mall, then marched to the state Capitol to promote civil marriage equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples.
The coalition collaborated with the Queer Student Alliance, Outreach Inc., the International Socialist Organization, the Wisconsin Green Party and the Madison Unitarian Universalist Young Adult and Campus Ministry in its efforts to voice opposition to defining marriage as solely between \one man and one woman.""
The groups came together on Library Mall and walked in unison to the Capitol, where several community speakers offered their support and encouragement.
""This is a fight for civil rights and we want Wisconsin and Dane County to begin issuing marriage licenses to any couple who applies,"" Unitarian ministry member Derrick Wagner said.
As the crowd marched to the Capitol holding signs and chanting slogans, onlookers either watched silently or clapped and cheered to show their support.
""It's America,"" UW-Madison special student Dave Hubbard said. ""It's the idea to have freedom of opinions and open dialogues.""
At the Capitol, community speakers included John Quinlin, executive outreach director for the coalition; Mary Beth Deets and Leanne Ray, a lesbian couple denied a marriage license; Ben Manski, national co-chair of the Green Party; Chris Ott from Action, Wis.; and Kyle Richmond, member of the Dane County Board. A letter of support from U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, was also read.
Many speakers said this struggle was not just for civil rights but also against homophobia and some mentioned the need to educate by exposure.
""People are afraid to see us as we really are: as lives and families similar to their own,"" Deets said. ""When they see us it is harder to be afraid or hateful.""
Quinlin also spoke of the present climate of hatred and fear for the LGBT community but echoed the determined sentiment of the crowd.
""Working together, we shall achieve justice and we shall overcome,"" he said.
The Civil Marriage Equality Coalition is a new organization that meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union.
