Huairou, China, Sept. 5 – I joined several hundred other people to march for lesbian rights on Tuesday, September 5th. The march spanned nearly the entire NGO forum site, beginning at the main entrance and ending at the lesbian tent at the other end of the site.
Demonstrating the international nature of the movement, slogans were chanted in French, Swahili, Spanish, and English, and there were signs in several different languages as well. Chants included a call and response: “What do we want?”: “Lesbian rights!”; “When do we want them?”: “Now!” as well as “Lesbian Rights are Women’s Rights!” and “Women united will never be divided!” In both French and English, over thirty banners and signs were displayed, most reading “Lesbian Rights are Human Rights.”
Onlookers were generally very supportive, and many either joined in the chants or clapped. At the end of the march, we were exhausted and hoarse after marching and chanting for nearly an hour and a half but exhilarated by the solidarity displayed both by participants and onlookers.
