MMC Students Participate in National Equality March

Pop singer Lady Gaga addresses the crowd of participants during the Equality March on Oct. 11.

“I decided to participate in the Equality March, because I believe that everyone is equal and the laws this nation has set for its citizens are unjust,” said Matthew Mackey ’10, a theatre performance major. “The United States came together to create an equal society for all people’s living within, but if only some members are considered equal and others are slapped in the face and told to deal with it, then this country is not united by any means. This is movement that I needed to be involved with, not just as a gay man, but as a member of society who believes in freedom and justice for all.” 

MMC’s trip to the nation’s capital was sponsored by the Campus Activities Board Multicultural and Diversity Committee with some assistance from G-SNAP, the LGBT student group. The trip was coordinated as part of National Coming Out Day and was open to all MMC students. Marymount Manhattan sent 54 students along with Kevin Croke, coordinator of student activities and Randy Lesko, graduate assistant. Both staff members are with MMC’s Office of Student Development and Activities. 

MMC students rally during the Equality March in Washington, D.C.

The march featured remarks from individuals including Cynthia Nixon (actress of “Sex and the City”), Lady Gaga (music recording artist), Lieutenant Dan Choi, (recently discharged from the New York Army National Guard for being gay) and Cleve Jones (creator of the NAMES Project Aids Memorial Quilt and co-founder of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation). MMC students said each speech was informative and inspiring. 

“The speakers who impacted me the most were the youth leaders like Richard Aviles from St. Olaf College, and other speakers, who despite there young ages, were the most powerful speeches,” said Adriana Kohlhofer ’12, a business major. “Reaching out to all the youth is important, because at the end the youth will decide the future of the world.” 

“Being from Venezuela, and growing up in a society that no matter how much I protested and wanted change, things never really changed,” said Kohlhofer, who is also Chair of the Multicultural and Diversity Committee on CAB and main organizer of the trip. “I feel that speaking up, participating and fighting for what you believe in America, things will eventually change. The youth leader’s at the rally message was that the power of the youth can change the future of the nation, and I believe this is true.” 

Marissa Buie ’12, an acting major, had already planned to go to the march with a friend, but then decided to join her fellow MMC classmates on the trip to Washington, D.C. 

“It was really amazing to hear Matthew Shepard’s mother speak,” she said. “She gave a powerful message that no one should ever have to face what her son faced. It was also exciting to see stars like Lady Gaga speak, because she can use her influence as a pop artist for good. She pledged to do what she can in the music industry against misogynistic and homophobia lyrics and videos, which is important.” 

“I participated in the Equality March because as an openly gay man and as a U.S. citizen I think it reprehensible that anybody should be regarded with such unequal treatment in a ‘free’ country,” said Robert Quinones ’12, an international studies major. “The person at the march that most inspired me and blew me away was Cynthia Nixon. As an openly lesbian woman she commanded the crowd and really drove the point deep that there needs to be change and that the Defense of Marriage Act needs to be repealed. My participation with this march has fulfilled me spiritually and emotionally and has called me to action and into spreading the word of equality to all those that will listen throughout my MMC community and NYC in general.” 

To learn more about the Equality March visit the Web:www.equalityacrossamerica.org. 

Marymount Manhattan College is an urban, independent, liberal arts college. The mission of the College is to educate a socially and economically diverse student body by fostering intellectual achievement and personal growth and by providing opportunities for career development. 

Published: October 14, 2009