The National Equality March will be soon here.

This morning I was wondering how many of our straight allies would actually take time to walk with us. As I was packing, I came across some photographs from the 1963 March on Washington. What surprised me is how many whites joined hands with African-Americans on that historic day. Decades later, looking at the pictures I was still inspired and couldn't help but think of the verse from We Shall Overcome  "Black and White Together, We Shall Overcome Today!"

Reviewing history makes the leap to today an easy one.

What will it take to have our straight allies, family and friends feel the passion and intensity that the Anglo community felt in the 1960's? Then the answer became clear to me.

They should walk in our shoes as we march.

Can you imagine if African-Americans were once again facing a series of laws that would forbid them to marry any Anglo? Can you imagine the outrage?

Can you imagine the outrage if Jewish-Americans were told they could not serve in the Armed Forces of the United States because this is and always has been a 'Christian nation?' That Protestant troops would have moral problems since they worshipped differently? No one would tell them to be patient.

Can you imagine the fury of public reaction if Catholics were told by law that they could not be foster parents or adopt protestant children because they were loyal to the Pope in Rome? Italian and Irish Americans would be so outraged about those laws we would have to worry about violence. No one would dare tell them it would be changed sometime within eight years!

How about the rage if young clean cut Mormon missionaries were beaten every week and left to die in the most brutal of ways? America would be rightfully outraged and a hate crimes bill would have been passed years ago.

How would Jews feel if they were told they could 'change' who they are and go to centers and programs to become Christian and normal? How would the Orthodox community feel knowing that they could have their freedom and equal rights if they just looked and acted like the rest of Americans? That they could not celebrate who they are in public and that their freedom was contingent on making everyone else comfortable? Not a chance in hell that would happen nor should it happen.

How about the rage if Mormons, Catholics, Jews and others could never be mentioned in schools and any books about them or by them had to be taken off the shelves? Their part in the history of this great nation could never be mentioned. Pretty sad isn't it?

And tell me a group of American citizens would not storm the United States Congress and White House if they were told they couldn't be by the side of their dying partner, had to pay more taxes than other Americans, would not qualify for insurance, lose some social security benefits, etc simply because of what they are as a person! I doubt very much any of them would wait until it was convenient for the politicians.

Get the picture?

Think about it. Please think real hard about what it is like to walk in our shoes. Then come and walk by our side on October 11 in the National Equality March in Washington, D.C.