Twenty activists in the Valley and around the state hit the pavement Aug. 2 to raise awareness for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in Arizona.

"Equality Walk" members are traversing 100 miles through 35 cities between Aug. 2 and Aug. 13. The journey is meant to bring attention to the "100 years that Arizona has been a state without full equality for all people," said walk director Meg Sneed, 29, of Phoenix.

Along the way, the group has been meeting with city, church and other community leaders to discuss equality.

"Walking 100 miles may seem like a crazy feat," Sneed said, "but the purpose is to be bold. The length is meant to be challenging.

"It has been challenging for gay and lesbian Arizonans to go 100 years without equal rights. Walking symbolizes a journey and a destination, because it's time to end the days of second-class citizenship for LGBT people."

Valley cities visited by the group during the 11-day walk include Avondale, Chandler, El Mirage, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise, Tempe, Tolleson and Youngtown.

The group has been staging annual walks since 2008.



Arizona 'Equality Walk' 2012