Thousands Gather In D.C. For Gay Rights March

Thousands rallied in Washington, D.C. Sunday for a gay rights march that stretched from the White House to the U.S. Capitol.

The activists demanded the repeal of both the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy and the Defense of Marriage Act [DOMA], chanting slogans like “Gay, straight, black, white- Marriage is a civil right” and “Come on, Obama-Let momma marry momma.”

The march, which was orchestrated by the organization Equality Across America, drew celebrity supporters, including popular singer Lady Gaga and Sex and the City actress Cynthia Nixon.

Judy Shepard, the mother of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student who was murdered in 1998, addressed the rally that followed the march.

“We all want marriage. Matt was always wondering if he was actually going to be able to marry his partner,” Shepard told Talk Radio News Service. “Hate crimes legislation has now passed and is certainly on the way to the President’s desk. I’ll be there for whatever comes up next legislatively.”

President Barack Obama delivered a speech to those attending a dinner hosted by the Human Rights Campaign Saturday evening in which he stated he will end “don’t ask, don’t tell” and will work with Congress to repeal DOMA.

“We should not be punishing patriotic Americans who have stepped forward to serve the country… especially when we are fighting two wars,” Obama said. “Do not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach.”