On the morning of the National Equality March ... I’m surrounded by friends who are really my family. These are the people who have supported me, validated me, and made me feel whole each and every day I wake up. It’s an awesome feeling. Today, we will march together for support and validation from our nation. From our fellow neighbors, our co-workers, our postal workers, our bus drivers, our family, and our friends. In short, from America.

When I think of it in those terms, it seems so logical, and I wonder why it’s even necessary to be part of this movement. Why should anyone have to take to the streets to ask for the intrinsic rights that are written down on the documents that symbolize the foundation and principles of our nation, of our union, and of our existence? Why should we, or anyone, have to march and beg for those basic rights?

I don’t have the answer. But, I do know that, historically, nations and the people they comprise shy away from anything and anyone that goes against the status quo (whatever that might be). They fear everything and anything that might infringe on the comfort that the stranglehold of hegemony provides those in the fold of the mainstream.

History has shown us this time and again. We still, however—as a nation—act as if we’ve not seen this before. We act as if we’ve forgotten the persecution of every other “other.” Why? ... Again, I do not know the answer.

Last night, I listened to the president address the Human Rights Campaign supposedly to address this grave injustice. His speech was heartening. He spoke eloquently of his support for LGBT people. He made promises. He endorsed our existence ... to an extent. But, until discriminatory laws are repealed and necessary legislation is in place to ensure equality under the law for all—it’s not action, it’s still just promises.

The president said he had other pressing problems to address first. Few problems, however, are tantamount to injustice and discrimination against any American. If we can’t even devise and follow our own basic rules, how are we supposed to solve the more complex problems?

It confounds me when elected officials stand idly by while any group is excluded from the shelter of our constitution. That’s why I’m marching ... to be seen ... to be heard ... and to be recognized by those who continue to work so hard to keep hate and discrimination in place. And I’ll march again with the next group who’s singled out after we win our rights and equality under the law.