Join the Impact: Candlelight Vigil at Eastern Market

Join the Impact is a non-profit organization that sprang up post prop 8, for the purpose of organizing activist response and encourage our community to "engage our opposition in a conversation about full equality and to do this with respect, dignity, and an attitude of outreach and education." The recent march on Washington was in part organized through Join the Impact, and the organization continues to provide a nexus for integrating activism across the USA.

On December 20th, Join the Impact asks that we again join for a nation-wide demonstration that will make an impact on the private sector. Their website says "Candlelight vigils will be held at commercial centers in cities across the country in remembrance of the rights that once were for 18,000 marriages, and in honor of the rights that one day will be again." You can learn more about the event here. They ask you to bring your own candles and wear a "2nd Class Citizen" shirt (if possible), which you can purchase on their website. Thus far, there are three organizers in DC who have scheduled a vigil at the Eastern Market Metro Station, but others may create their own vigils in various parts of the city (maybe you?). You can sign up to organize on the Join the Impact website.

Join the Impact today, because (taken from the website):

• We can not fight for our country without hiding who we are
  
• In many states (like the recent law in Arkansas) We can not adopt a displaced child in need of a home and safety
  
• In many states, we can still be fired because we are gay
• Partners cannot share insurance in many states
• A loving couple can share a home, but if one partner dies, that home can be taken from the other in states where shared property rights are not available.
  
• LGBTQ couples cannot sponsor their partner to stay in the country if one is not a legal US Citizen
  
• Finally, a couple can share their lives, share expenses, share good times and bad over many years, but they still cannot gain the equal protections and recognition that two strangers can in one drunken night in Vegas. 2 Strangers + 1 20 minute ceremony + $50 + 10 shots of tequila = Holy Matrimony and 1st Class Protections Under the Law… now who’s crazy?