Marchers Rally for Gay Rights : Santa Ana Event Is First Visible Show of Support for Many Participants

SANTA ANA —  Holding onto a large rainbow flag symbolizing unity, Arturo Cortez marched with about 75 others down West Civic Center Drive on Saturday afternoon during the Orange County Gay and Lesbian Freedom Rally.

“It’s time to raise the consciousness of Orange Countians,” the 22-year-old Saddleback College student said as he struggled to keep pace with his friends. “We’d like to encourage our other brothers and sisters to join us so Orange County won’t continue to be one of the most closeted places in the country.”

The rally, which was billed as a local preview of the gay-rights march scheduled April 25 in Washington, included music, speeches and a march throughout the Santa Ana Civic Center past federal, state, county, city and police buildings.

Organizers said the event was intended to increase awareness of important legislative issues facing the gay and lesbian community, particularly the official ban on gays in the military.

“If 10% of everyone is gay, then 10% of the military is gay,” said speaker David McDowell, a retired Army major. “They are in there now and we know that. They are serving honorably. The only problems they are having are from bigotry.”

The event was the first public march for many of the participants, including 21-year-old Heather Justus, a student at Rancho Santiago College.

“I was a little scared about the reception we would get,” Justus said. “But I think it’s very important to be here. It’s a matter of saying, ‘I’m proud of the human being I am and my sexuality is one part of that.’ We need to be proud of everything we are.”

Daniel Wingo, 22, and Robert Nunez, 24, held hands as they marched down West Civic Center Drive.

“It’s kind of exciting and emotional for me,” said Wingo, a resident of Fullerton. “I’ve never expressed myself in a group setting in public like this. It’s liberating.”

“We’re here just to show our existence in the county,” Nunez added. “We want to make sure we’re not invisible.”

Chris Creem, 26, held up a “Bash Bigotry” sign as he marched.

“I couldn’t make it to Washington, D.C., so I wanted to show my support locally,” he said. “Gays are still the last of the second-class citizens. It’s important for people to know that there are more than just a few gay people in the world.”

Brian McMichael, who said he is a former Marine, didn’t know anyone at the rally but wanted to participate as a protest against the military ban and homophobia in general.

“I’m against bigotry,” McMichael said. “I know enough gay, lesbian and bisexual people to know that they are just folks. Their sexuality is just a part of who they are, just like my sexuality is part of who I am.”

Mission Viejo residents Ray and Elena Layland, whose 21-year-old son is gay, walked in the march and addressed the group afterward.

“As parents, we bring our children into the world and teach them that we live in a wonderful country,” Ray Layland said. “And yet, we have a son who has to live in a world of bigotry and hate. We’re here to counter that and not let that stand.”

“We believe in unconditional love and in supporting our children,” Elena Layland added. “We have strong family values based on love and tolerance.”