Ground Report

Tens of thousands of gay and lesbian activists marched in Washington, D.C. today in the fight for equal rights for all people, in the military and elsewhere.

The rally came one day after U.S. President Barack Obama said he will reverse the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, but activists say they want won’t rest until it’s official, per USA Today.

Tweets were flowing throughout the day, documenting the National Equality March with the Twitter hashtag #NEM, which became a trending topic. Here’s a sample of personal accounts:

1. MarliGuzzetta Fave moment seven: dan choi at the rally on the mall. “the time for asking is over! We are telling! We are telling! We are telling!” #nem 11 Oct 2009 from Tweetie
2. norageddon Almost made it out unscathed at #NEM – only significant sunburn on my nose. Also heard there were something like 60,000 people there. WOW. 12 Oct 2009 from Digsby
3. johnnie_cakes Not gonna lie, when the Gay Men’s Chorus sang “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” today, I shed a tear #NEM 12 Oct 2009 from Twitterrific
4. pir_anha you know, such a march may not matter to politicians, but it definitely matters to the participants, and those of us supporting them. #NEM 12 Oct 2009 from web
5. zachsgotlife “Change is not only possible, it is inevitable.” #NEM @gavincreel @broadwayimpact @HAIRtribe You guys rock. 12 Oct 2009 from web
6. zackford Phew! That was a great day. I’m spending one more night in DC to relax… Congrats to everyone who marched today. #NEM 12 Oct 2009 from web
7. UUXMNR Back home in Baltimore after #NEM; STILL standing on the side of love with fellow #uu folks. Love your neighbor! #lgbt #pf #ssl 12 Oct 2009 from txt
8. davidsalisbury I marched next to Judy Shepard today. what an amazing woman #NEM 12 Oct 2009 from web

One user, @FlyingPeanuts, posted the following TwitPic from the rally with the caption, “National Equality March – On the way to the Capitol – 03 #NEM”: