Tens of Thousands Protest in Washington for Gay Rights

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Gays, lesbians and supporters marched by the tens of thousands in a loud rally in front of the nation's capital Sunday, calling for equality in gay rights.

Phil Siegel, a march spokesman said the U.S. Park Police does not provide crowd counts, but estimated more than 150,000 demonstrators attended the rally, along with a few counter demonstrators.

The National Equality March took place only one day after President Obama made a pledge to the gay community. He vowed to end the military policy of "don't ask, don't tell," which bans gays from serving openly in the armed forces.

Marchers were in no mood to wait. They came to a halt in front of the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue Sunday, chanting "Hey, Obama, can't you see? We demand equality."

Obama said at a Human Rights Campaign gala on Saturday night he wanted Congress to repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act. That legislation, which passed in 1996 and was signed by former President Bill Clinton, bars federal recognition of same-sex marriages.

The organizers of Sunday's White House march said the LGBT community (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals) are not satisfied with a piecemeal approach to civil rights.

The rally drew passionate speakers such as: NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, who linked gay rights to civil rights; Army 1st Lt. Daniel Choi, an Iraq combat veteran facing discharge for disclosing his sexual orientation; Babs Siperstein, a transsexual member of the Democratic National Committee; glam rocker Lady Gaga; and Michael Huffington, a Republican and former congressman from California.

Judy Shepard, the mother of Matthew Shepard stated, "I'm here today because I lost my son to hate. Matthew Shepard, 21, a gay college student from Wyoming was tortured, tied to a fence post and left to die 11 years ago. We're all Americans, we're all equal Americans -- gay, straight or whatever."

Matthew Shepard is to be memorialized by legislation which would expand the definition of federal hate crimes to include sexual orientation. The House attached the provision to a defense bill that passed last week. The Senate is expected to pass it soon, and Obama has pledged to sign it.