The weekend of October 10th and 11th 2009 will see thousands of fair-minded Americans congregating in our nation’s capital for Equality Across America’s “National Equality March 2009.” The March serves as a call to action for a new generation of activists, gay and straight, to join the movement for LGBT equality. The event’s goal is to reinvigorate the LGBT movement on a national level so participants can take their experiences home to their communities across America and convey the urgency behind their quest for demanding equal rights. Logo, a division of Viacom Inc.’s (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) MTV Networks, announced today that it will support the March by participating in a number of events surrounding the weekend.Most notably, Logo is joining the cause by “going dark” from 11:00AM ET to 3:00PM ET (the hours concurrent to the March) to emphasize the significance of the gathering. This is the first time in Logo’s four-year history that the 24/7 channel will not broadcast programming. Instead, a graphic message will urge viewers to visit the Logo website 365gay.com for information on the March and how they can get involved on a local level. For those unable to attend the rally in person, live coverage from D.C. via Twitter updates will be streamed on 365gay.com during the March, rally, and all weekend long. 365gay.com has served as an official outlet of information for the National Equality March since it was announced last June.
“The National Equality March resonates strongly with Logo's gay and straight audience because we all expect equality in all aspects of our lives,” said Lisa Sherman, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Logo. “Our unprecedented action of ‘going dark’ underscores the significance of the event and what Equality Across America is hoping to achieve. Supporting the March reaffirms Logo’s ongoing commitment to the campaign for equality for everyone.”
Additionally, Logo will take part in this historic occasion by broadcasting two days of inspirational programming that look at some of the LGBT communities greatest activists (Bayard Rustin, Allen Ginsberg), some of their most inspiring activism stories (“Equality U,” “Rock the Boat,” “Coming Out Stories”), and some of their most pressing community issues (“Tying The Knot,” “The Ride: Seven Days To End AIDS”).
