Gay Catholics Endorse National Equality March On Washington

8/30/09-by Paula Brooks rbs

An organization of LGBT Catholics, The Rainbow Sash Movement, has come out in support of the National Equality March on Washington scheduled for this fall.

This past November, when by a slim majority of voters, California’s Proposition 8 banned gay marriage in that state; tens of thousands took to the streets in California and across the country, in grassroots protests

It was these protests, many of them called by regular people who’d never organized before but felt compelled by their outrage to take action that inspired longtime activists Cleve Jones and David Mixner to call for a march on Washington.

The March however has highlighted the divisions between the new grassroots activism in the LGBT community and the established LGBT “leadership” and has turned into something of a battle of egos.

Jones and March organizers have drawn criticism from some in the “old guard” LGBT community who feel that the event lacks proper planning and such a march is a waste of time and resources that are better spent on a slow and steady approach to LGBT equality, while the grassroots activists blame the established LGBT leadership and their approach to winning LGBT rights as the cause of the defeat in California and say a much more dramatic and dynamic “in your face” approach, like the march, is needed.

In a statement released today, Joe Murray, the Executive Director of the Rainbow Sash Movement, endorsed the march and said, “Our endorsement of the March is not based on whom or who has not given their stamp of approval. Our support is based on the biblical call for justice for all humankind. The detractors of the March have every right to voice their opposing opinion; however, what they do not have a right to do is engage in name-calling and innuendo.”

“We believe our movement is larger than the petty clash of egos that is taking place around the march. We call on all to listen to their better angels, and temper the mean-spirited attacks. Cleve Jones like the rest of humanity is far from perfect, “and like the rest of us is entitled to his good name. Whether we have enough time to organize for this march or not is no longer an issue, the march is going to take place,” said Murray.

“For the March detractors if you cannot march with us for whatever reason at least remember us in your prayers,” added Murray.

Murray’s organization, is a pretty “in your face” group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Catholics, who, with their families and friends, have publicly called the Roman Catholic Church leadership on the carpet for their position on Gays and Lesbians.

They wear a Rainbow sash to mass as a way to identify themselves as faithful LGBT’s to other members of their congregations.