Words That Come to Mind When I Think of the March:
Amazing, Beautiful, Buoyant, Uplifting, Camaraderie, Compassion, Kindness, Fervor, Awe-Inspiring, HUGE, Family, Sisterhood, Love, Acceptance, Understanding.
Arrival:
After two delayed flights and one missed metro train, I finally arrived at Union Station where I was welcomed by my good friend Whit. Having seen a small pack of women on my plane with "Don't Mess With Texas Women" shirts on (purchased from TARAL in advance) I was already beginning to feel the scope of this event.
The Fair:
After an evening meal and some much needed alcoholic beverages to soothe my travel-weary bones, we packed it in for the night. The next day we went for lunch and headed toward DuPont Circle for a fair for the March. It was a beautiful sight. There were stickers, shirts, buttons, and various and sundry other paraphernalia for the march as far as the eye could see. We stalked up and walked around the circle, familiarizing ourselves with the numerous groups and organizations involved.
There was one big feeling that I hadn't counted on feeling, and it repeatedly washed over me throughout the course of the weekend: Relief. I hadn't fully realized that I've been walking around on eggshells for a year and a half now, half convinced that everyone I meet in my daily life is judging me on some level. I cannot adequately express the joy my heart felt at being surrounded by like-minded men and women who would not only understand my decision, but throw a party for me, if they could.
The Planned Parenthood booth at the fair had a heart wrenching display: They were giving out pink pieces of paper and black markers for people to write down their reason for marching. The pieces were then tacked onto wooden scaffolds.
I wrote one for Thomas, and then promptly teared up. So many of the stories on the board were truly heart wrenching.
That night, Whit helped me work on a simple paper sign to wear during the March. I was so thankful to have her with me because attempting to summarize my thoughts, feelings and viewpoints in a few short phrases proved beyond challenging. The next morning we woke early and got ready. We plastered ourselves with stickers and buttons and headed down to the metro.
The Big Event:
Fortunately for them, but not for me, the Texas pre-march rally was completely full by the time we arrived, so we headed on to the general rally on the mall. We wandered about the throngs of people, listening to speakers, scoping out T-shirts, and reading peoples' signs for a few hours. The March itself got underway around 12:30. Perhaps it should've been called a shuffle. The masses were so thick that it took us three hours to complete the two-mile parade route. That's slow, even for me!
Favorite Chants:
We marched with a Latina delegation for the first part of the march (they happened to be nearby and the most fun and rowdy of the group). Chanting in Spanish is great fun, and I may decide to take it up as a hobby, should I find a reasonable outlet.
"Que queremos?
Justicia!
Cuando?
Ahora!"
(For those of you who fell asleep during Spanish class, that's: "What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!")
Then there was an old favorite high-school cheer adapted for the cause:
"We are pro-choice,
couldn't be prouder.
If you can't hear us,
we'll shout a little louder!"
This one exclude the numerous men (they made up a third of the crowd), but it's still fun:
"2-4-6-8
We're the ones that ovulate!"
And then, when the crowd would pass by the few (and I mean FEW) anti-choice demonstrators, this would start up:
"Pro-life,
that's a lie!
You don't care
if women die!"
and the one I leaned toward:
"Pro-Family,
Pro-Choice!"
The Speakers:
As the marchers began to gather on the mall after the march, the speakers started up. It was like being on holy ground. With all of the groups that organized this (Planned Parenthood, NOW, Feminist Majority, the ALCU, and the likes) the star-power was phenomenal. I won't even bother to list them - it's too overwhelming. Suffice it to say, I left hoarse and had a smile from ear to ear, and tear stains on my cheeks.
In My Heart:
I wanted to let all of you know how much your messages of encouragement meant to me as I prepared for this trip. I thought of each and every one of you as I walked along that parade route. And I thought of the women who couldn't be there, those who fought for our rights decades ago, and those who will pick up this torch again over the coming years. It felt so good to be amongst the most diverse group of human beings I have ever laid eyes one, and know that we shared a common goal.
And though they'll never know it, I want to thank the anonymous women who patted me on the back and thanked me for having the courage to march with Thomas's story on my back for all to see.
Please take a few minutes to read more about the march in the Washington Post's articles. They also have some fantastic photos. You'll have to sign in, but it's worth it.
