The last time us gays marched on Washington was the semi-disastrous march in 2000 organized by the HRC. Before that was the 1993 march when I was 12. This year and this march was our time; the newly dubbed "prop 8" generation. This year's march was not without controversy with internal naysayers and questioners all the way to the top including Barney Frank. I'll admit that I was not quite sold on the event but bought my ticket to DC regardless because I believed in the people organizing it. Though I understood the concerns and some of the criticism, I did not appreciate the outright trash talk this march endured. Barney Frank and others did not have to endorse the event much less attend, but there is no reason to cut down the efforts of others working for the same goals. The ugliness preceding this march was a case study in the virulent self-sabotage this movement has put itself through for decades. The organizers pressed on despite the negativity as the word spread and the momentum snowballed. The weekend was packed full of activities other than the march ranging from youth activities, to faith gatherings, and just plain parties. I volunteered my time at Camp Courage on Saturday so I missed most of the events that day. The photos from the wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier looked very moving and poignant featuring Lieutenant Daniel Choi. Camp Courage took a risk putting together a four hour mini-camp in less than six weeks for the first time outside of California. About 200 participants from across the country including Alaska showed up learning the basic skills of telling your story in order to change hearts and minds. After camp on the way to our hotel, we drove by the convention center where the HRC dinner was happening about an hour before the president's address. First we drove by the lovely Westboro Church bigots followed by a mass of rainbow flags that were either protesting or rallying or both. The gays of the city stopped Saturday night to gather around C-SPAN to watch the president's address. Reactions immediately following the speech seemed to split being either, "that's not good enough" or "that was great." Personally, I believe his words are of course not good enough, but I have faith in his promises. It's our work as activists to continue to push him, our legislator, and their constituents to make progress on LGBT issues. Though I am impatient, I'm not dumb enough to think that I know more than seasoned politicians including Obama on the right timing on enacting these changes. I want my equality, but I'm not willing to risk the healthcare of this country for it. At this point I can do nothing more than continue working and pushing for change, believing in Obama's promises, and staying vigilant in case he shows signs of not coming through. Coming soon, more on the National Equality March and rally.