National March! On Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights: Official Souvenir Program Page: 21
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Lobby for Justice
by Brandy Moore
The need for lesbian and gay involvement in the political process of
the United States is an imperative that we cannot ignore. The March
on Washington will provide an opportunity which will give us that in-
volvement and allow for an education of our supporters and friends
on Capitol Hill and in the White House.
Most Congresspersons are unaware that they have lesbians and gay
people in their constituency. We, as a people, are painfully aware that
our concerns do not always get an "airing" or that we do not receive
any consideration for our tax dollars, our contributions to other
movements, or recognition for our humanity. What to do?
Constituency Lobby Day can be an important adjunct to the
strength we showcase on October 14. October 15, 19791 The day after
the March, while Washington and the nation are still absorbing the
reality of the largest, national, lesbian and gay rights demonstration in
history, will be the time to press for concrete changes in federal
government policy towards our community. There will still be
thousands of marchers in Washington, we shall have national and in-
ternational media attention, and most of us will have shown the
strength of the lesbian and gay community. After having stated our
overall purpose in the March, we must focus our attention upon
tangible goals. INVOLVEMENT!!!!
Constituency Lobbying can provide a vehicle for more personal in-
volvement in pressuring the government for equal rights for our peo-
ple, can force elected officials to deal with us as voters, and can forge
the way for the media to treat us fairly in any coverage of our events,
and lastly, can convince Congressional legislators and bureaucratic per-
sons of our influence. That we can have an impact is certain, to what
degree is not as certain until we begin to do the work. Constituency
Lobbying will not end with the day on the Hill, but must continue un-
til we realize our goals. "Until all of us is free, none of us is free!"
Lobbying efforts can be developed in the home states of many
marchers and their elected officials. If people will come out of their
closets, demand to be heard; then we shall see some change.
That we must develop statewide networks to provide ongoing com-
munications between the various organizations in our community is
necessary. The use of phone trees, mailgrams, local caucuses, and
21
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D.C. Media Committee. National March! On Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights: Official Souvenir Program, pamphlet, 1979; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc276226/m1/23/: accessed June 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.