NEM Co-Directors Resign In Controversy Over Future Of Equality Across America

National Equality March co-directors Kip Williams and Robin McGehee have resigned from Equality Across America as the future of the new activism group becomes cloudy. Bil Browning at the Bilerico Project reports:

EAA founder Cleve Jones confirmed that both activists had stepped down from their leadership positions. Everyone involved agreed that the parting of ways resulted from concerns about financial security and the leadership of the new organization. "We're still not sure this is a viable organization," Jones said. "It's still not clear to me that EAA is going to happen yet. There needs to be a working group to take EAA forward. I'll be inviting [the March's] steering committee and executive committee members to participate." Executive committee members elected Tanner Efinger as the interim Project Director responsible for the org's legal contracts with the Tide Foundation. Underlying tensions in the committees, however, have many frustrated activists at the breaking point as various factions vie for control of the organization's leadership.

Kip Williams tells Browning that he resigned partially due to financial reasons, having worked for EAA for minimum wage without health insurance.

HomoQuotable - Michelangelo Signorile

"The march in fact has only made us all stronger as a movement. We were able to organize in a few months, using new media, and got 200,000 people to D.C. without spending much on traditional advertising. David Mixner is to be lauded for his passion and putting the idea out there. Cleve Jones, for his vision and his steadfastness at doing it quickly and keeping the costs down to a mere $150,000. Robin McGehee, Kip Williams, and all the other young activists, for tirelessly organizing the event and using the Net roots so skillfully.

"We now know it can be done successfully on short notice and for little money. That means a couple of things: We need to continue making a lot of noise — online, but also getting into the streets and protesting everywhere. And we need to march again on Washington — or at least let them know we’re prepared to do so if we don’t see some real action, real soon." - SiriusXM radio host and activist Michelangelo Signorile, from a lengthy Advocate opinion piece on the ramifications of the National Equality March.

Read the entire essay.

Whatcha Thinkin' About, Rev. Terry?

JMG reader Marli sends us this picture of Rev. Randall Terry straddling a gory abortion placard as he screams into the face of a gay man about the disgustness of hot, hot homo sex. Looks like Rev. Terry has a little sumpin' sumpin' going on down there.

Open Thread Thursday

If you went, tell us about your experience at the National Equality March.

Anti-Gay Preacher Randall Terry At The National Equality March

Noted asshat and anti-abortionist Randall Terry has just posted this clip of he and his fellow bigots harassing the attendees of the National Equality March.

VIDEO: DADT Victims Lay Wreath At Tomb Of Unknown Soldier

JMG reader Sean Chapin is back from the National Equality March and sends us this clip of Lt. Dan Choi and other victims of DADT laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Sobering stuff.

Cleve Jones Speaks At The NEM

Lt. Dan Choi Speaks At The NEM

Dan Choi needs to run for public office.

Judy Shepard Speaks At The NEM

Cynthia Nixon Speaks At The NEM

Lady Gaga Speaks At The NEM

And here's her performance at the HRC dinner.

David Mixner Speaks At NEM

The crowd looks great!

(Via - Inside, Looking Out)

Early Reports: 250,000 At NEM

According to as yet unsubstantiated reports coming in via Twitter, some are estimating the crowd size as "upwards of 250,000." The hashtag #NEM is the second-highest trending topic on Twitter at the moment.

(Photo via Twitter user DeliciouslyRico)

Unlike Newt Gingrich

JMG reader Charlie K. sends in this photo from the National Equality March, where according to some Twitter users, the size of the crowd has kept many of the marching groups from stepping off on time.

Obama's Speech To The HRC

C-SPAN To Air Obama's HRC Speech Live

C-SPAN will air President Obama's speech to the Human Rights Campaign tonight live beginning at 7:55PM eastern time. You can also listen live on SiriusXM's OutQ channel.

NEM Travel Advisories

Tomorrow DC police will implement rolling street closures to accommodate the National Equality March. Here is some advice for attendees.

The National Equality March is scheduled to take place at noon on Sunday, Oct. 11. The March will begin at McPherson Square and reach the west side of the U.S. Capitol at approximately 2 p.m. The planned route is south on 15th Street, NW, West on H Street, south on 17th Street, east on Pennsylvania Avenue, to 3rd Street, NW. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) plans to implement rolling street closures along the march route.

Anyone leaving the National Equality March from the U.S. Capitol and returning to Union Station and all Red Line stations should walk north on 1st St., and make a right onto Louisiana Ave., NE, to Union Station.

Those leaving the National Equality March from the U.S. Capitol and traveling to RFK Stadium should walk south on 3rd St., to the Federal Center SW Metrorail station and board the Orange Line toward New Carrollton or the Blue Line toward the Largo Town Center.

Other major events taking place tomorrow include the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk and Bike For The Heart. Additionally, major track work is underway on several Metro lines. Metro authorities recommend adding a minimum of 30 minutes to your anticipated travel times. Tips about the affected lines and stations can be found here.

Cleve Jones Vs. Joe Solmonese

Last night Cleve Jones and Joe Solmonese went head-to-head over the Obama administration's commitment to LGBT rights.

Arlington: Gay Veterans Lay Wreath At Tomb Of Unknown Soldier

DADT victim Lt. Dan Choi joined a group of LGBT veterans today for ceremonial laying of a wreath at the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. More photos by Eric Politzer are here.

Barney Frank: March Is Useless, Stay Home

Appearing on Michelangelo Signorile's SiriusXM show yesterday, Barney Frank dismissed the effectiveness of the National Equality March, saying it would be better if folks stayed home and lobbied locally. Signorile:

Barney Frank believes the march this weekend and rally on the mall are "useless" and don't put pressure on the White House. "I literally don't understand how this will do anything," he said. "People are kidding themselves. I don't want people patting themselves on the back for doing something that is useless." Besides, he says, "Barack Obama does not need pressure." He says we should model ourselves as lobbyists on "the National Rifle Association." He says people should not come to Washington and should stay home and lobby their members of Congress. "Nobody in Congress even knows they're there, he says, and he is not attending the March: He is going to California to raise money for himself and other Democrats.

UPDATE: Last night Cleve Jones appeared on CNN to talk about the March and respond to Frank's comments.