Cross-posted at The Levee.
GetEQUAL is an equal rights advocacy group founded by Robin McGehee and Kip Williams, the co-directors of last Fall's National Equality March on Washington. As part of their larger goal of demanding equal rights for the LGBT community, they have partnered with Lt. Dan Choi to carry out direct actions aimed at lighting a fire under the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell."
GetEQUAL's first action took place on March 18th, when Dan Choi and fellow serviceman Capt. Jim Pietrangelo were arrested for handcuffing themselves to the White House gates and calling for President Obama to make good on his promise to repeal DADT. The display was coordinated with a sit-in at Nancy Pelosi's office in San Francisco, where four GetEQUAL members were arrested while protesting Congress' failure to pass the Employee Non-Discrimination Act.
In Robin and Kip's own words:
Our mission at GetEQUAL is simple: to create a movement of everyday people—lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and straight—who are dedicated to bringing about full legal and social equality. We believe there are millions of Americans who are tired of waiting and are ready to act. Our goal is to serve and grow this constituency by helping them take strategic, coordinated, bold action to demand equality, and to hold accountable those who stand in the way.
We know it will take all of us working together to reach our goals, so we seek to create a broad and inclusive community. GetEQUAL will bring together people of every sex, gender, race, class, age, ability, look, religion, family status, or citizenship; those who can contribute in small ways, and those who are able to put themselves on the line. United, we can build a more powerful movement to demand change. We invite you to join us, and ask your friends and family to do the same.
Join with us.
Take bold action to demand equality for LGBTQ people. Don't accept excuses, delays, compromises, or empty promises. Hold accountable any person or organization who stands in the way. Push back, rise up, and speak out against all forms of discrimination that plague our community.
Take the pledge.
Join the fight.
Help us make this one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.