LGBT Activist Cleve Jones chats with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson in this audio interview about the National Equality March taking place October 10 & 11 in Washington DC. According to Jones this event is focused on one demand and that demand is for equal protection under the law for our LGBT community in all matters governed by civil laws in all 50 states. Jones believes that true equality can only come from the federal government. The motivation of the National Equality March is to fire up the participants from across America so they will return home energized and inspired to change the overall struggle for equality. The new strategy is to petition our elected federal officials and remind our members of Congress and President Obama of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. (The 14th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified on July 9, 1868 and granted citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States." In addition, it forbids states from denying any person “life, liberty or property, without due process of law” or to “deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of its laws.” By directly mentioning the role of the states, the 14th Amendment greatly expanded the protection of civil rights to all Americans and is cited in more litigation than any other amendment.)
Jones makes it clear that this event is not a circuit party but a weekend to get serious about political organizing and focus on equality. Among the speakers appearing will be Civil Rights Activist Julian Bond, President of the NAACP, Judy Shepard, Dustin Lance Black, Oscar Winner Screenwriter of “Milk”, DADT Activist Lieutenant Dan Choi, Activists Urvashi Vaid and Robin McGehee, Comedian Kate Clinton and many more. President Obama has been invited to speak at the rally. The organizers of the event have been in contact with the Obama administration but Obama has not responded thus far. As we all know Obama has yet to act on any of his campaign promises including repealing the Domestic Marriage Act (DOMA) and the military's Don't Ask Don't Tell (DADT) policy.
Cleve Jones is proud that his work with Harvey Milk and The Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt continues as he now serves on the sub committee for labor outreach for the National Equality March and remains passionate about full federal protection under the law for LGBT Americans. He works for a labor union, Unite Here, which fights for the rights for hotel and service workers and absolutely loves his job. Interview Conclusion: Activist Cleve Jones on Gay Leadership
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