Response to DOMA Event

Tara and Carter are DC’s newest activists.

This past Saturday, we met with a handful of amazing people in Dupont Circle to make our first foray into LGBT activism.

Before we embarked on our event-planning adventure, we didn’t realize the accessibility of grassroots movements. We’re not experienced organizers; we’re not trained; we’re not well-connected; we’re not rich. We’re just community members who wanted to get involved with an issue we care about. Join the Impact hadn’t planned a signature drive to petition the "Defense" of Marriage Act and Don't Ask Don't Tell in the District. So, we organized one to complement the nationwide movement on January 10. And if we can put together an event in less than two weeks, anyone can. Our virtual activism on Facebook translated to real activism on the streets.

We’ve also come to see the difference between grassroots community organizing and political lobbying. When we created the Facebook event for the gathering in the District, we encountered mixed responses, including some criticism for targeting the wrong people in government. Some people suggested that instead of collecting signatures for an open letter to Barack Obama, we should strategically lobby Congress in order to achieve real change. But events like ours aren’t necessarily about perfect political strategy. They’re about building a community of caring and service. When individual citizens become engaged with issues, they become a formidable force for social change – even if legislative reform isn’t immediately apparent.