Somewhat outside of the radar of many political activists concerned with gay rights, Philip Deal, a resident of Virginia Beach, VA, started posting videos to Youtube channel he created called GLBTLive. In his videos, Philip talked about the need for activism in the persuit of equality for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered community in Virginia and in the nation.  He then launched a Facebook group to campaign for gay rights. Next he started planning for and advertising a protest rally to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell at Town Center in Virginia Beach, an event which took place on Saturday, August 15th, 2009.

I honestly don’t remember how I found my way to Philip’s Facebook group, but doing so may have been one of the best things I’ve ever done.

The GLBTLive Facebook goup has grown to over 250 members, and the group has over 100 subscribers to their YouTube channel. For Philip, this seems only to be a beginning with plans to launch a community site where the GLBT community can post videos to share their stories and why equality is important to them, as well as be a platform for putting together events, like the rally that took place last Saturday.

Photos from the Rally

The rally at Town Center was impressive, especially considering that the organization of the event was completely a grassroots effort. Between those who attended the rally because they’d planned to attend and those who were there by chance, over 100 people witnessed members of the GLBT community come together peacefully, but not without enthusiasm, to rally for their rights and protest against the unfairness of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.

Philip Deal opened the speaking portion of the rally with an appeal to President Barack Obama to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, illustrating that the United States is behind many industrialized nations in treating people equally. He outlined the many rights that the GLBT community don’t have. He stressed that while he felt that gays and lesbians aren’t completely free in the United States, they love their country and serve it well.

Mike Brazell was the keynote speaker of the rally. Brazell served in the Navy for 10 years under Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. He shared how difficult it is for gay members of the military.

Philip Deal closed the rally by talking about the laws and politics of Virginia affecting the GLBT community, and how important the upcoming election in November is. Specifically, deal called Bob McDonnell an “enemy of equality” saying that “we can not allow Bob McDonnell to become the Governor of Virginia”, for more reasons than just gay rights.

Overall, the event was a huge success for the GLBT community in Virginia Beach, as I feel it has strengthened activists and united many to work toward progress in the upcoming elections. Over 100 signatures were gathered on a petition that will be sent to the House Committee on Armed Services who are considering legislation that would repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell called the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, and many volunteers were signed up to help work to defeat Bob McDonnell in November.

The Rally in the News:

Activists to target ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ in Saturday Rally – The Virginian-Pilot, August 14th
Town Center rally calls for end to ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ - The Virginian-Pilot, August 16th
Review of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” protest at Town Center – Examiner, August 16th

GLBTLive is planning their next event for September 27th, 2009. More details about that event will be posted to Virginia Beach Progressives.

Related posts:

1. Reflecting on the National Equality March
2. Virginia Democrats Vote in Support of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal
3. From the State of the Union to action: “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” targeted