APRIL 25 saw the largest march for lesbian and gay rights in history, with one million on the streets of Washington DC.
The march included hundreds of lesbian and gay organizations as well as the National Organisation of Women, the National ASSOciation for the Advancement of Coloured People and church groups. Ten international unions endorsed the march.
Along with an affirmation of lesbian and gay pride, demands for equal rights, an end to discrimination and anti-gay laws, action on the AIDS crisis and for lifting the ban on lesbians and gay men in the military were prominent.
March organizers made a push to focus on the demand to lift the military ban. Not all supported this demand. Some placards stated, "Don't ban gays, ban the military!' Several gay Democratic Party politicians spoke. But some speakers who had supported Clinton in the election expressed frustration at his administration's Inaction on AIDS and on human rights. When Clinton's statement was read out the crowd chanted: 'Shame, shame!' and 'Where is he?'. depicting Clinton as Pinocchio. Signs read "Played for a fool again - put up or shut up'. Continwed stalling by Clinton and Congress can only increase this disillusionment.