LGBT activists rally for equality

"Honk for Equality" signs plastered the corner of Fourth Avenue and High Street on Saturday as hundreds of people stood in the cold to rally for gay rights. The rally was organized by Join The Impact and Equality Ohio, advocacy groups for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights.

Kim Welter, the Program Coordinator for Education and Outreach at Equality Ohio, said the purpose of the rally stretches beyond the issue of gay marriage.

"Although our national discussion is centered around marriage equality, people in Ohio are more concerned about keeping their jobs and their homes, about being able to see their loved ones in the hospital, being able to provide for their loved ones, being able to take time off to care for a sick partner, or bereavement time when a partner dies," she said.

Cameron Tolle of Join the Impact also spoke of the need to protect LGBT rights. "We are here to let people know that we deserve protection. Our love is equal, and we need to stand up for that," he said.

Although their applause was muffled by thick gloves, the audience members were steadfast in their support for gay rights. Sadie Dylan, a senior at Teays Valley High School and a post-secondary student at Ohio State, held her sign high as cars honked at her as they passed by.

"We are loud and bright. People will look at us and know we want this for the gay community. We care about this cause," she said.

Other groups, such as The Human Rights Campaign, came out to encourage the crowd to keep pushing for equality. Terry Penrod, a board member for the Columbus Human Rights Campaign, acknowledged the difficulties the LGBT community faces with legalizing gay marriage, and told the supporters to never give up.

"We lost that battle [for gay marriage], but we will still win the war. We can and will show America that honoring love and commitment is the moral thing to do," he said.

Several students from OSU attended the rally. Ena Brjnic, a freshman majoring in Biology and member of HRC on campus, wanted to take part in the rally to show that she cared about LGBT rights.

"On campus we will hold events that no one shows up to. We are here to make our presence known, to make people care about their rights," she said.

Alex Webb, a freshman majoring in architecture, participated in the rally to express her beliefs. "Where I am from, there is nothing like this. I have become stronger because I can now make more of an impact," she said.

Supporters came great distances to be a part of the rally. Leslie Huff, a Cleveland native and representative of the National Black Justice Association, came to speak to the African American LGBT community, though her message resonated through the entire crowd. "Freedom will not be given by the oppressor, freedom must be demanded by the oppressed," she said.

Like Huff, Penrod isn't going to wait for America to come around. He said, "Today, we can create change. We have a new president and a new tone."