Across U.S., thousands rally for LGBT rights

Greg Toppo | USATODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Nationwide: Americans marched for LGBTQ rights Thousands of Americans marched for LGBTQ rights from Washington to Los Angeles. Some chanted, "We're here, we're queer, get that Cheeto out of here!"

WASHINGTON — Protesters and revelers filled streets in dozens of cities nationwide on Sunday in long-standing gay pride events that in many cases served double duty as anti-Trump protests.

In the nation’s capital, an “Equality March for Unity and Pride” attracted about 43,000 participants, according to the event’s Facebook page. Marchers paraded past the White House trailing a giant rainbow flag.

"We're here, we're queer, get that Cheeto out of here," was among the chants directed at President Trump.

The event also featured a concert including Miley Cyrus, among others.

Organizers said they were angered by Trump's actions in the first months of his administration. Although he campaigned as an ally of LGBTQ rights, they said, he rolled back federal guidance advising school districts to let transgender students use the bathrooms and locker rooms of their choice. And his administration has elevated what critics say are foes of these rights, including Vice President Mike Pence, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price.

For the LGBT community nationwide, it's an emotional time. Monday marks one years since the mass shooting in Orlando that killed 49 people — mostly Latinos — at Pulse, a gay nightclub.

Among the marchers in Washington was Gil Mendez, a Puerto Rican native who traveled with his partner from San Francisco to join the parade. He carried a sign that included the names of all the Pulse victims.

"The attack on Pulse really struck me hard," he said. "It made the connection between the physical violence of guns and the political attacks on our community."

Among the activist leaders on hand was Sarah Kate Ellis, president of GLAAD, which monitors media coverage of the LGBT community.

She noted that Trump, breaking from the practice of Barack Obama, has declined to issue a proclamation in honor of Pride Month, and that the Trump administration has deleted questions about sexual orientation from planned federal surveys.

"If you look at their prioritization, we're really low on it," she said. "There absolutely is a resistance aspect to this march."

Protesters on Saturday interrupted an earlier march, demanding that the Capital Pride group end their “dangerous relationship” with police, who have appointed a liaison to the LGBTQ community, and to end sponsorships by companies including Wells Fargo and Northrop Grumman.

D.C. was one of about 105 U.S. cities hosting marches, from Boston to Maui. Activists in Casper, Wyo., planned that city's first-ever pride parade.

So excited to perform at #Pride in Washington D.C. today! Let's keep this beautiful event safe and full of L.O.V.E ! @happyhippiefdn @hot995 pic.twitter.com/TYY06UxBwI — Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) June 11, 2017

In Los Angeles, thousands of marchers filled the streets of Hollywood and West Hollywood Sunday in a human rights march that organizers said had replaced the historic L.A. Pride parade. The march, dubbed the #ResistMarch, was inspired by the massive women’s marches that took place the day after Trump’s inauguration in January, organizers said.

Dan Ortega, 54, told the Los Angeles Times that he hadn’t participated in a Pride parade in a decade, saying he’d grown complacent under the Obama administration. Not on Sunday.

"I can't just let the young people do it," he said.

The crowd chanted "Black Lives Matter," as well as chants for immigrants’ and women’s rights, among others.

LGBTQ activists were “lending our iconic rainbow flag to anyone who feels like their rights are under threat and to anyone who feels like America’s strength is its diversity,” said organizer Brian Pendleton. “The political climate we find ourselves in has driven us to galvanize and unite.”

Nina Firooz, 31, and her roommate Cher Heath, 30, stood on Hollywood Boulevard early Sunday wearing black T-shirts with the words "Jesus Resisted" in rainbow-colored letters. Firooz told the Times she was deeply moved by the march, which orginated in 1970.

"This is what pride was originally about," she said. "We're getting back to our roots."

Firooz, who described herself as “a queer Iranian woman,” said she is frustrated by the rhetoric of the Trump administration and worries about her rights and the rights of the LGBTQ community and others. Trump, she said, “really doesn't like me. It's not a partisan issue for me. It's how Trump treats people."

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In Des Moines, Sophia Stone, president of Transformations Iowa, a local support group for transgender people, said, "Things have become a lot tougher" since Trump was elected.

In Boston, the city’s “Stronger Together” Rally included appearances by Mayor Martin Walsh state Attorney General Maura Healey.

In Nyack, N.Y., north of New York City, thousands braved sweltering heat to celebrate Rockland County, N.Y.'s 19th LGBTQ Pride Parade.

Gloriana Palancia said she remembered marching in the county's first few pride parades. Now living in Florida, she returned to Nyack, a city she said has changed.

"This place has blossomed into a beautiful, accepting community," she said. "It's wonderful to see such support."

On Monday, officials in Orlando say, church bells will toll citywide in honor of the 49 Pulse nightclub victims. Four services are scheduled, starting early Monday and continuing for nearly 24 hours. The first service, which is closed to the public, is to be held at the nightclub a little after 2 a.m. ET for survivors, local officials and club employees. It was to coincide with the time that gunman Omar Mateen began firing shots on June 12, 2016.

Contributing: Gabriel Rom, The (Westchester County, N.Y.) Journal News; WXIA-TV, Atlanta; and The Associated Press. Follow Greg Toppo on Twitter: @gtoppo