Ellington

A small crowd of UW students gathered outside Schmitz Hall yesterday en route to Volunteer Park and, eventually, the courthouse. They carried signs that read: “We’re Here 4 Queer” and “Straight But Not Narrow.” Their cheeks were painted with peace signs, and their backpacks plastered with “Vote Yes on Referendum 71” stickers.

Local members of the LGBT (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgender) community displayed their support for Washington D.C.’s National Equality March by organizing a similar demonstration in Seattle that began in Volunteer Park and culminated at the federal courthouse. Supporters gathered through the afternoon, and by the time they took to the streets at 3:30 p.m., a crowd of at least 100 had gathered. Bystanders cheered from the sidewalk and joined in the chanting: “LGBT equality.”

Although this is the first National Equality March, the project has been in the works for several months. OUTprotest began planning the event in early July and recently partnered with UW students sophomore Mario Lemafa and senior Ethan Boyles. Most UW participants heard about the event through friends or a chain of Facebook posts. The march is a historical tribute to Oct. 11, 1987, when a similar demonstration brought about National Coming Out Day.

“It’s significant because it’s a distinct symbol of how the LGBT community spans not just Seattle, but the nation as a whole,” said UW sophomore Mimi Donnelly. “It shows the strength of the community.”

The hope is that yesterday’s march will be the beginning of a much more active LGBT community on campus. Students like Lemafa and Boyle want to create a student base to mirror the efforts of organizations such as the Gay-Straight Alliance.

The Seattle Equality March was particularly significant for its grassroots start. It began as an acknowledgement of the LGBT community and grew to a student campaign in support of Referendum 71, a gay-rights ballot measure that will appear in this November’s elections.

Referendum 71 seeks to protect basic rights for domestic partners registered in the state of Washington. Though the referendum most directly affects gay and lesbian couples, it could also impact some heterosexual couples over the age of 62 that seek to register as partners.

“The Seattle Equality March is a message to show that we must be visual and present in the community, showing support for equal protections under the law. For all college students who have the hope of their relationship being recognized, approval of Referendum 71 is absolutely vital,” said Carmen Rivera, a junior at Seattle University who spoke at Sunday’s demonstration.

Lemafa and his fellow participants emphasized the importance of the youth vote in establishing rights for the LGBT community. Lemafa argues that a diverse campus like the UW should feel obligated to get involved.

“As an institution of academic and community progress, UW takes pride in the campus’ diversity and promotes equality,” Lemafa said. “Approving Ref. 71 retains Washington’s laws that protect gay couples’ rights. Everybody knows at least one person that is gay. If the UW campus supports equality, then Ref. 71 must be approved.”

Boyles realizes that there is a long road ahead, and yesterday’s march was just the entry point.

“I don’t identify as an LGBT person, I identify as straight,” Boyles said. “[But] once you can oppress one community, other members can become endangered as well.”

Reach reporter Celina Kareiva at

news@dailyuw.com.