MSU Stonewall Democrats
"Here Comes the Pride"
Pride Week 2004 March To Demand Marriage Equality

Contact: Jon Hoadley, President
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 517.980.5212

16 April 2004
Michigan State University, East Lansing—Over 60 people congregated Friday morning to march from the Student Services building to the Administration building to bring attention and visibility to the inequitable treatment queer people receive under American law, especially in the area of marriage with its 1,138 federally recognized rights, responsibilities, and benefits.

Participants marched in groups of two or more, symbolizing the various compositions of families. Both queer students and their allies attended the event.

At the conclusion of the rally a Speak Out was held to show how the national debate around marriage equality and queer rights has an impact on local people. Seven student speakers and one faculty member drew attention to homophobia on campus, employment discrimination, adoption inequity, and most importantly the ability of fair-minded people to change the face of American society.

When asked about the success of the event, vice-president Franny Howes said, "The turnout was great. I only wish the Board of Trustees had met at their scheduled meeting time so they could hear the concerns of the students they are supposed to be protecting. Instead, they dodged the hard questions."

MSU Stonewall Democrats plan on an aggressive queer voter recruitment and identification campaign in September as part of the campaign to elect lbgt-supportive Democrats in federal, state, and local campaigns.