Today marks the 30th anniversary of the 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation took place in Washington, D.C.
The historic event was originally expected to attract around 100,000 people, but the D.C. Police Department later reported the number at somewhere between 800,000 and 1 million, making it one of the largest protests in American history.
Related*
WATCH: Check out this amazing 1993 news report about the March on Washington for LGBTQ+ rights
On April 25, 1993, the March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation took place in Washington, D.C. and drew an estimated 1 million people.
At the time, LGBTQ+ people faced widespread discrimination. The community was also still reeling from the HIV/AIDS crisis. And hate crimes against queer people were on the rise.
Planning the event took almost two years and involved a 12-member executive committee, as well as a steering committee over over 200 people. C-SPAN ran more than six hours of live coverage, which you can watch here.
Speakers and performers at the march included Indigo Girls, Judith Light, Martha Wash, Melissa Etheridge, RuPaul, Larry Kramer, Nancy Pelosi, Madonna, and Ian McKellen, just to name a few.
Click through for 25 striking images from the historic moment in LGBTQ+ history…
canadalaw
I was there at the 1993 March. I say to people that I became who I am because of that March. I was a small town boy from Nova Scotia when I went and now I am a lawyer.
Robin Tyler
Please read my post below.
dbmcvey
@Robin Tyler
It might not have gotten past the mods.
PhillyProud
I remember these years quite clearly. Was that march before or after Clinton gave us DADT and DOMA? I remember feeling punched in the gut over those two. That was a serious disappointment. I felt duped. Our rights were up for compromise.
correctio
amazing photos. everyone looks so happy. not a cellphone in sight..
lather
Seems like only yesterday, yet a lifetime ago. Great images. Great comments. Thanks for sharing these.
dbmcvey
Thank you so much! Such great memories!
lykeitiz
Proud to say I was there. I’ve never experienced anything like it, either before or after.
Out of the 2 friends I went with, sadly one is not here, but luckily the other one I’m still in touch with.
Life changing, for sure.
henare
hey! i’m in the fourth photo! /s
seriously, though … i was there. i’m unsure what effect this had on people but it was definitely a good thing to have done (then and now) .
i’m not sure then that i thought we’d have to engage in this sort of action now, but …
dbmcvey
Even if it was just for the people who marched it was an amazing thing!
stonercharles
That weekend and the March was the most profound event of my life and a time I will never regret or forget and the end of a closeted life, you can not march in the streets of your nation’s capital demanding equal rights and then to come home and remain in the closet… all the excuse tapes and lies had played out…