2009 Equality Walkers

Six Equality Walkers took to the streets, Aug. 9-15, speaking with police officers, city managers, faith communities, elected officials and people in diverse districts. The walkers completed a 97-mile pilgrimage: A mile for each year Arizona has been a state without full marriage equality for all its residents.

Carrying rainbow umbrellas, the walkers consumed gallons of water, used eight bottles of sunscreen and got blisters on every part of their feet. But their hearts and faith in change prevailed, and they were able to change hearts and minds along the way.

This is the journal from Equality Walkers’ Co-Director Meg Sneed.

Sunday, Aug. 9:

Waking up, I feel alive. I feel ready and able to bring a message of love and acceptance. I am excited, and I know the next seven days will change me. I’ll walk with five friends who will become family.

At the end of this trek, I will be tanned, will have lost weight and will have had hundreds of conversations with people throughout the Valley. Some of these conversations will test my strength. Some will remind me why we do the work we do.

At the end of this week, it will feel like an amazing dream. Seven days of pure “take it to the streets” activism.

I may be head over heels in love with my life in this moment.

Our day begins attending the service at Scottsdale Bible Church and an open dialogue with two pastors. This is a church with a history of presenting many Focus on the Family events. It believes strongly that marriage is between one man and one woman.

During service the pastor told the story of Ruth and the long walk she took because of her faith in the Lord. The pastor discussed how Ruth didn’t have the luxuries we have today, but her faith carried her through.

As I listened, I thought of our upcoming journey. During the next seven days we would be walking 97 miles in 110 degree heat. We would be having conversations with people we didn’t know, and we would be opening our hearts and the hearts of others. We would do this because each of us has faith. Ours is faith in change and faith in ourselves for being a force for change.

After the service we sat down with two assistant pastors of the church for about an hour. The conversation was open and honest. We spoke from the heart, and all sides were respectful.

We did not have the conversation to change their beliefs; we had the conversation to plant a seed, and to put a face to the LGBT community. We ended our meeting with them with one of the pastors leading us in prayer; the prayer was much like the conversation, from the heart, respectful and loving.

Both pastors expressed that if anyone in our group or in the community would like to continue the conversation that we can come back anytime, and that they were thankful for the open dialogue.

We left the church and walked south on Scottsdale Road for about eight miles, until we came to the Scottsdale City Mall. Here we enjoyed an extraordinary lunch at the Orange Table Café in front of the LOVE sculpture. It was amazing to relax for a moment next to the words that embodied why we are walking.

After lunch we continued south on Scottsdale Road until we reached ASU, where we attended service at The All Saints Catholic Newman Center. The service was packed. There were people sitting on the floor and standing in every available space. We soon found out the magic that drew so many individuals into this service. That magic is Father Fred Lucca.

Lucca spoke about love, and he spoke right to our tired feet and spirits. He stated that God loves us, each and every one of us. He reminded us that God created us, and that is all we need to know.

The Father said we don’t need to quote scripture; we simply need to know that God is love, and that God loves and accepts each and every one of us as individuals.

As we were leaving the service a woman stopped us. She asked us what we were doing at the service. The question was prompted by the “Do you believe in Marriage? I do.” Shirts we wore.

We answered by telling her about our walk. She then let us know that the sermon we just heard was Lucca’s last at the Newman Center. Lucca and the entire Dominican order had been removed by the Most Reverend Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, because they were accepting of LGBT people and of abortion.

We are sad to see Lucca leave Arizona. It is people like him who give us all hope. He changed six Equality Walkers who only knew him for an hour. I can’t imagine the effect he has had on this world. He truly exemplifies what it means to do God’s work.

First day total: 14.99 miles

Monday Aug. 10:

We started day two at the Newman Center and walked a mile to Tempe City Hall. When we arrived, city officials greeted us with breakfast. The conversation we had with them was inspiring.
The Tempe police chief asked us how he could be a better chief to the LGBT community. He also said something that will stick with us. He said that that we all live under the same constitution and that equality is black and white. He said that as U.S. citizens we should all be granted the same rights and protection. That is the message that he spreads to all the officers serving Tempe.

It was refreshing and encouraging to experience such love and acceptance in the City of Tempe. Any tiredness or soreness we felt before this meeting was washed away and we were ready to walk on for equality.

When we reached Mesa City Hall we met with one man. He was very kind but also very ambiguous. We were told that all other city officials were on vacation.

From there, we walked about another mile until we reached the Mormon Temple where we went into the visitor center. We stood in front of a 12-foot Jesus as the LDS greeters told us that they believe marriage is between a man and a woman and that the institution of marriage is meant for procreation and families. They said their exhibit, God’s Plan for Families, could explain better their views.

The exhibit did not include LGBT families, nor did it address families that are too old or unable to bear children.

We ended the walking portion of our day in Chandler. Our bodies were tired but our hearts were overflowing with love for those we had met along the way.

Daily Total: 16.92 miles

Tuesday Aug. 11:

On day three, we wake up before the sun rises. Blisters on our feet stare back at us as we begin putting on our shoes. Our faith in change and our hearts help us overcome the pain and exhaustion.

We started today at a Catholic Mass in Chandler. After Mass and some tape for our blistering feet, we were on our way. Our first stop was Chandler City Hall, where we met with city officials, including the city manager.

The conversation was excellent; open dialogue and openness by all parties led to some discussions about love and families. The city manager and vice chair of the city’s Human Relations Commission thanked us for our approach and said the continued use of the words "marriage equality" struck a chord with them.

As we trekked on to lunch, the heat began to blaze down on our backs. As we thought about how hard the walk was, we were stopped by people on the street. A woman waiting for the bus thanked us for our courage. An employee at Pep Boys said that he supports rights for all people. The support was more overwhelming than the heat.

We finished out the day in South Tempe with just enough time for a quick shower before heading off to our nighttime event at 1n10.

For me, 1n10 is something very close to my heart. I attended the group what seems a lifetime ago. It opened up my eyes to a world and community of loving and caring people. One that provided hope and comfort and helped me become the person I am today.

We spoke to the youth about our journey and answered their questions about why we were walking. It was a great opportunity to relax and enjoy the moment with an amazing group of young people.

Today was hard, the walk was long, and the sun was hot. But we walked; we walked for all those who can't, and for all those couples who are denied the right to love. We walked for all those LGBT people who dream of the day they will fall in love and the day that they will want to commit their lives to someone else.

And we walk for hope of a better tomorrow, one where we are not judged by who we love, but by who we are. We walk for a tomorrow where we all can be affirmed under the same constitution. And until that day, we will continue to walk, because no amount of pain and no amount of heat is nearly as bad as being denied 1,138 rights simply based on who you love.

Daily Total: 14.3 miles

Wednesday, Aug. 12:

After walking four miles in the morning, we came to 48th Street and Guadalupe Road. Looking up at that sign, my heart felt heavy and tired. I knew that today we would be ending at 35th Avenue and Baseline Road, and I wished I didn’t know how far that really was. But I looked to my fellow walkers, picked up the pace and starting belting out “I Will Survive.”

As we left Tempe and walked into Guadalupe the sidewalk ended, and we were walking on dirt along the side of the road. Many people told us we shouldn’t go into Guadalupe; that it is a bad area. But that’s not true. There was more love in Guadalupe than any other road we had taken. Every person we passed smiled, said “good morning” and wished us luck.

When we spoke about why we walked, people cheered. The people of Guadalupe are inspiring. For a small town with so little, they us gave so much.

As we walked miles and miles down Baseline Road to Cesar Chavez Park, we took in our journey. We were more than half way through our pilgrimage. As we looked at each other, we knew in those long miles that we would never be the same. We left our hearts on the pavement this week, giving of ourselves long after we thought we had anything left to give. Our lives have been enriched this week.

We ended the day at Cesar Chavez Park where we were greeted by leaders of the Latino community with big smiles and delicious food. We had an open dialogue and established some intersections, so that together we can work toward ending discrimination in the lives of those who live in Arizona. What an amazing ending to such an enlightening day.

Daily Total: 15.7 miles

Thursday Aug. 13:

We woke up early hoping to finish most of our miles in the morning, before it got scorching hot. When we awakened, we heard thunder and lighting. Melissa asked me if I thought we should wait out the storm. I said no, because there would be no guarantee the weather would get any better. So we walked, in the pouring rain, but without the heat. And really it was a blessing, it was amazing, it was cool!

We walked on Central Avenue for most of the day, from Baseline to Glendale. As we approached downtown, I had to use the restroom. I tried three buildings before darting into Burger King. As I walked down the long hallway I approached the door and read the sign “token needed”. I stared at the door for a minute, let out a deep sigh, and turned. As I did, I noticed a Burger King employee coming toward me with a token in his hand. It looked like gold in that moment. I was so happy!

He said, “I couldn’t make you pay for the restroom, you look awful.”

I smiled and thanked him, because even though he told me I looked horrible, he helped me out. He like so many others along the way gave us hope.

Those people who cooked us a meal or drove miles and miles to deliver Gatorade; those who drove our support car; those who washed our clothes; those who sent silly texts and funny jokes; those who rubbed our feet; those who left encouraging messages all over Facebook; those who drove by and honked or stopped and accepted a sweaty hug. All of those people made the difference for us. You became our light and brought smiles to our weary faces. Your love and encouragement were fuel to our tired feet and kept us walking. Thank you.

We ended Thursday handing out wedding cake in downtown Phoenix. We handed out cake as people passed us on the street with a sheet of paper that had a picture of Paul and Jimmy and explained that despite their 16-year commitment, marriage for them isn’t a piece of cake. We gave away 60 to 80 pieces, and gave out even more of the “sugar-free” version (just the paper). It was an amazing experience, and we had some great conversations.

Tracy talked with a man who stated that he could not support marriage equality because the Bible is clear on homosexuality. Tracy asked him if Jesus were here, did he think that Jesus would be walking with us. The man paused for a minute and then said, “Yes, Jesus would be walking with you.”

Daily Total: 16.47 miles

Friday Aug. 14:

Today we started with breakfast at the Church of the Beatitudes. We sat and talked with Pastor Nancy about the work we had been doing all week. We shared with her some of the amazing moments along the way.

She told us about the church’s history and that it had gone through the process to become open and affirming in 2000.

We ended breakfast with Pastor Nancy leading our group in prayer; the open and loving place that prayer came from left tears rolling down my face.

Religion and spirituality is a major part of my life. My walk with Christ is a big part of the person I am.

It hasn’t always been this way, though. There was a time when I listened to some of God’s children and let myself become lost. I never felt so alone. I felt as though God hated me, that I was sick and sinful and not worthy of love.

It took many years before I found Soulforce. It was then that was able to re-examined those thoughts about myself. I found love and light in the scripture and in my relationship with Christ, and I realized that God loves me and created me just as I am.

God created me, all of me, and loves me, all of me, including my sexuality.

I am so grateful and thankful to churches such as the Church of the Beatitudes that preach love and acceptance, and bring God’s children back to the church, instead of pushing them away.

As we walked the mood was good and it was our last long-mile day. We hardly felt the pain in our feet, because the love in our hearts was overwhelming.

This journey took a group of six friends and created a family. We had moments of tension and moments of love, but these were all moments together. During our journey we grew, we blossomed, we experienced lives and ourselves — the good and the bad.

As we walked down 7th Avenue and through the “Gayborhood,” we reminisced about the community we felt this week. And as though it was destiny, a woman ran from her house and said, “You are the Equality Walkers!” She said she had seen us on Facebook, and she thanked us for walking for her and her family.

We ended our last long stretch of miles with that in mind: We walk for families, LGBT and straight, we walk for love, and hope and acceptance.

Daily Total: 16.03 miles

Saturday Aug. 15:

Wow! It’s the last day — well at least for the 97-mile walk. Today is a day of celebration.

As we approached Phoenix City Hall, we saw many familiar faces, family and friends waiting to walk to the finish with us. We walked that final mile joined by many local organizations, Marriage Equality, 1VCC, HRC, H.E.R.O., Phoenix Pride, Trans Alliance and others. The pain was not noticeable; the solidarity had taken it away.

As we ended our trek at the State Capitol, we celebrated and spoke about hope for tomorrow. Whether we had walked 97 miles or 97 feet, we completed this journey together. And together we will achieve full marriage equality.

As I reflect back on the past week, I know that we have left not only rainbow ribbons along our path, but like a stone thrown into a pond, we have caused a ripple effect of love and acceptance.

We will never know the impact that our conversations, rainbow umbrellas, smiles and stories had over the last week … but we do know that with each step, we planted seeds that will grow in others and will be harvested as our society comes to understand the value of affirming the loving, covenanted relationships of its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members.

My relationships with my fellow walkers will never be the same; they will always have a place at my table and a special chunk of my heart. Melissa, Tracy, Luis, Jimmy and Paul: your work, support, love, laughter, kindness, activism, heart, encouragement and friendship cause a ripple effect keeps on spreading, and I am so blessed to be a part of that ripple.

Thank you for all that you accomplished throughout this week, and thank you for making me a better woman and a better activist.

Daily Total: 2.59 miles
Weekly Total: 97 miles!

The 97 miles may be over, but the journey for the Equality Walkers has just begun. In 2008 we walked 96 miles, this year we walked 97 miles, and next year we will embark on 98 miles. This is a life-changing pilgrimage. It changed the six walkers who took a week off from their jobs, friends and families to push their minds, bodies and hearts to the limits.