Tonight’s marriage equality rally is officially a celebration!
The GLBT Center of Central Florida (The Center), Come Out With Pride, the Human Rights Campaign, Equality Florida, ACLU, Watermark and Hot Spots are hosting the event, which starts at 7 p.m. at Lake Eola in downtown Orlando.
The rally was scheduled before we learned the outcome of the Supreme Court decisions on DOMA and Prop 8. With the decisions to overturn DOMA and dismiss Prop 8, activists and allies will celebrate together tonight while wearing red. Red luminaries will surround the lake.
“Our community has grown impatient and it is time for the State and the Country to recognize Equal Rights for all. The ruling today will set an important precedent and send a strong signal to our State legislature that it is time to treat all citizens equally,” said Mikael Audebert, Executive Director of Come Out With Pride, in a media release. “The optimism and excitement I have witnessed today, on social media and in our community have reenergized all of us to continue the fight towards FULL equal rights, in our State and in our Country.”
Scheduled speakers include: Congressman Alan Grayson, Commissioner Patty Sheehan, Blue Starr, Scott and Susannah Randolph, Nadine Smith, Patrick Howell, Rob Domenico, Vivian Rodriguez and representatives from the Orlando Gay Chorus and Orlando Gay Parents. After the speeches, the celebration will continue with food trucks, cash bar, music by DJ Ants and a walk around Lake Eola.
