The following day, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Washington to take part in the National Equality March for gay rights.

Protester: “It’s absolutely ridiculous that we have to work so hard to support this country and to be a part of this country and to pay and vote for this country that we should be a question of equality. And it’s just absurd. It’s absolutely absurd. It’s enough.”

Protester #2: “I’m discouraged, and I remain hopeful. I think that ’don’t ask, don’t tell’ should be repealed, but I think he should halt the expulsion of our armed service people who happen to be gay. He can do that now, and he doesn’t. He can halt that while Congress deliberates how to pass the law.”