Wednesday August 12th

By: Melissa Halverson

Day four is complete! This journey of body and spirit has been challenging to the end of extremes. My body has magically restored itself overnight, and my heart is swollen with happiness and challenge. Physically, the energy it takes to wake up and take that first step forwards when every part of this body is telling me otherwise comes from secret place in the core of my being that previously was unknown to me.


The Right to Marry route wound itself through Guadalupe this morning. As we left the Tempe City sign behind us, the sidewalk literally ended and we stepped out onto the rock and gravel shoulder of the road. At over 100 degrees outside and already several hours in to our walk a new town was holding promises for a refreshing few hours. Guadalupe was marked by compassionate kind neighborhoods. Conversations with groups on porches, or with those sitting on benches with their coolers will stay with me. Cars stopped on their way to work to ask “What ARE you all”,with our rainbow umbrellas and gave an encouraging “Good work and Good Luck”.

Community needs intersected at every turn today. The workers setting pavement in Tempe, waived as we passed each other with mutual smiles in the heat. The man with no home who sat outside the door to the bathroom we used at mile seven, smiled as he let us in. Redemptive suffering is more than me bearing weak body on 16 mile days this week, while speaking out for couples I hope will very soon have the ability to marry. It’s the acknowledgement of equalness in spirit when face to face with the very livelihood of humanity. What could be shared if everyday could be spent walking and talking?


We ended our day at Cesar Chavez Park. A roundtable forum followed with leaders in the Latino community enabling us to find common ground in new areas. Restoration has followed us all day. It is you out there, that I have to thank. You, for cooking for us in your home, or driving us items when we ran out, or taking the time to premark the route in chalk with words of hope. Hope was everywhere today. In a walk traversing multiple cities, heat, 16 stops, and three actions the piece I’m intending to leave behind is love. This is simple, it’s about love and family, from the beginning of time, to this very day. Everyone included.

Tuesday August 11th

By: Meg Sneed

Today waking up was a challenge, I am not sure if it was the sore feet, the aching back, or the fact that it was only 430am... but our hearts overrode our bodies once again and we pushed through.

We started Tuesday at a Catholic Mass bright and early in Chandler, Arizona. After mass and some tape for our blistering feet we were on our way. Our first stop was Chandler City Hall where we were able to meet with City Officials including the City Manager. The conversation was excellent, open dialogue and an openness by all parties lead to some discussions around love and families. The City Manager and Vice Chair of the Humans Relations Committee both thanked us for our approach and said that the continued use of the words "marriage equality" really struck a cord for both of them.



As we trekked on to lunch the heat began to blaze down on our backs, but with songs and stories to pass the hour we were able to make it through the heat and into the AC for a nice little break.

We finished out the day in South Tempe with just enough time for a quick shower before heading off to our night time event, 1n10.

For me 1n10 is something very close to my heart, I attend the group what seems like a lifetime ago. It opened my eyes to a world and community of loving and caring people, one that provided hope and comfort and helped me become the person I am today.

We were able to speak to the youth about our journey and answer their questions about why we walk. It was a great opportunity to relax and enjoy the moment with an amazing group of young people.




Today was hard, the walk was long, and the sun was hot. But we walked, we walked for all those who can't, and for all those couples who are denied the right to love. We walked for all those GLBTQ people who dream of the day they will fall in love and the day that they will want to commit their lives to someone else. And we walk for hope of a better tomorrow, one where we are not judged by who we love, but by who we are. A tomorrow where we all can be affirmed under the constitution that we know to be true. And until that day we will continue to walk, because no amount of pain, and no amount of heat is nearly as bad as being denied 1,138 rights simply based on who you love.

Daily Total: 14.3

Monday August 10th

By: Tracy Loafman

Only day two, and it has already been incredibly challenging- physically, yes, but also mentally and emotionally. The day started at Tempe City Hall and there were a large number of people interested in meeting with us. Even the police chief attended, and he surprised us speechless when he directly asked, “How can I as police chief help you in your mission?” It was very black and white to him, as we’re all citizens protected under the constitution. We moved on many miles into Mesa, where just one man from the city met with us. He was also very kind, if somewhat ambiguous. From there, we stopped in the beautiful Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, with a very large Jesus (12 feet tall, I believe). They were kind as well, while they let their exhibit explain their beliefs, in a 15 minute video of ‘God’s Family Plan,’ which did not include the LGBT community.



It’s funny, because as the walking gets harder, the talking gets easier. This non-confrontational-lets-discuss-our-viewpoints-calmly- idea has taught me a great deal. Physically, standing is harder, but overall, standing up for my belief that inequality is wrong has gotten a whole lot easier.



Your Committed Straight Ally,*Tracy

Sunday August 9th

By: Luis Garcia

It was an amazing day for the Equality Walkers today. We attended service at Scottsdale Bible Church on 76th street and Shea Blvd., which is the church that Cathi Herrod belongs to.

If you don’t know who Cathi Herrod is then you should become more familiar with her and the organization she leads (Center for Arizona Policy). The group was instrumental in lobbying to put Prop.102 on the ballot. After service we spoke with some of the pastors of the church. We met for over 45 min and talked about our view points on marriage and equality. Before we left the pastors lead us in prayer and invited us back for service and more dialogue any time we wanted (when I said we that mean the entire LGBT community). We then walked south to Scottsdale City Hall and had lunch on the lawn. The offices were closed since it was Sunday so we did not get to speak with city officials. A big thank you goes to Jim Vigil for providing lunch for us from the Orange Table.

We made our way down to ASU and attended mass at the All Saints Catholic Newman Center where we learned the Fr. Fred Lucca was being removed from that church because he ”preached love and acceptance for everyone”. Yes you heard me right. We learned this from a woman named Lisa who was attending mass. At first she thought we were conservative Christians who were there to protest his last sermon. It must have been our “Do you believe in marriage? I do” shirts. =) Fr. Lucci and the entire Dominican order has been removed because they are more accepting of things like LGBT people. His last sermon was amazing by the way. Fr. Lucci told the crowd that God is Love and not to let anyone tell you who to love and how to love them. Hmm sounds like something Jesus would say. The service was so inspiring that one of our walkers, who is not religious, said he would attend church if Fr. Lucci was the pastor.

Total miles walked today 15.

Meet the Equality Walkers

Our work in Arizona uses the framework of pilgrimage for its outreach. Last summer, we walked 96 miles throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area, one mile for every year Arizona has been a state without full legal recognition of its LGBT citizens. We stopped at churches, political meetings, and city manager offices to have a conversation about Proposition 102, the Arizona "defense of marriage" legislation, and a larger discussion about our lives and values.

Unfortunatey, last November Proposition 102 passed, but our work to create a cultural shift is as important as ever. We will continue our pilgrimage work with 97 miles this year in August. We will be visiting the communities that had the highest number of votes in favor of marriage inequality.

For one week, a core team of Equality Walkers will hit the pavement to speak to police, city managers, faith communities, elected officials and individuals in diverse districts. We invite community members to join us for a day or a segment on this journey. Look out for the rainbow umbrellas!


Meg Sneed, 26, Co-Director

This summer we will cover 97 miles on foot, the number of years that Arizona has been a state without equal protections under the law for all citizens. Walking 97 miles may seem like a crazy feet, but the purpose is to bold, it is meant to be challenging. Walking 97 miles is nothing compared to a gay or lesbian person being told they can't see their partner in their dying moments at a hospital because they don't have full marriage rights.

When I do finally make that leap of faith with an amazing girl, I want it to be in Arizona. This is where I grew up; it is where I had my first kiss, my first job, and where my parents cried when they watched me embark on my first day of kindergarten. I am a Phoenician, I have fried an egg on the sidewalk, I have suffered many ice blocking injuries, and one day I will get married with the hot Arizona sun looking down on me. On that day I want to see my home state recognize and honor my commitment.

Meg was a 2008 and 2009 nominee for the Echo Readers Choice Awards Distinguished Service by a Woman. In 2009, Meg was selected as a Semi-Finalist for the United States Jaycees “Ten Outstanding Young Americans”, as one of the top 20 young leaders in the United States.

Melissa Halverson, 29, Co-Director

This summer’s 97 mile trek through Metropolitan Phoenix is both a symbol of love and solidarity. Love, for our Valley families, who are not equally protected, and whose children are in political and cultural jeopardy. The steps taken under the Arizona sun will be in solidarity and celebration of these families and their involvement in equal rights. This August I will stand up for the more than two hundred TBGL youth I see every Thursday at 1n10, and the 30,000 of you that came to Phoenix Pride.

Walking is necessary because I am equally responsible for the decisions that my State makes regarding my family. Although the battle for a narrowed discriminatory view of marriage won this last fall in our State, it is with great faith that the conversations we have this August will be impactful. My hope for Arizona, for the 200 youth I see weekly, and for the tens of thousands of TBGL families and their children, is vested in my whole hearted belief that people want these marriage values to change.


Jimmy Gruender, 35, Equality Walker

Jimmy has been with his lifetime partner for 16 years. He grew up living between Austin Texas, and Columbia Missouri, he moved to the Valley of the Sun in 2003. Soon after moving to Phoenix, Jimmy started to volunteer for different non-profits agencies in the Phoenix area. In January of 2004 he joined the board of directors of Phoenix Pride till 2009. In 2008 Jimmy joined the steering committee of H.E.R.O’s, a local grassroots activism group.

In 2009 Jimmy was nominated and won the prestigious Echo readers Choice Award, “Heroic Service for a Man”, and the John Bircumshaw Community Sprit Award from Phoenix Pride. When not volunteering, or doing activist work, Jimmy helps run a local night club in Central Phoenix.

Tracy Loafman, 28, Equality Walker

With the designation of “Straight Ally,” I was thrilled to encounter a positive term defining my role in the lives of my LGBT friends. It is my honor to unite with them, my responsibility to fight for them, and my dream to see them receive the rights I receive simply because I love a man, rather than another woman. On the brink of committing my life to one man, it has only become more evident to me the injustice of rejecting a person who wants to do the same, based entirely and exclusively on their sexual orientation.

Particularly after the devastating blow to my friends with Prop 102, I am excited to be a part of the second Right to Marry event. I walk to peacefully protest inequality, to support the LGBT community, and to encourage open minds so that one day we will witness a change so big that half the state of Arizona votes in favor of it. Finally, in my work with teenagers, I walk as an example of the value we can make as individuals when we are willing to go these lengths to positively impact the lives of others.

Luis Garcia, 30, Equality Walker

Luis Garcia is a longtime resident of the Phoenix community. He joined the military (USAF) after graduating from high school. Currently, Luis is a member of the Crystal Meth Task Force, American Legion, Phoenix 2010 Census Complete Count Committee, Encanto Village Planning Committee, Latino HIV/AIDS Day of Awareness and is a founding member of Human and Equal Rights Organizers.

As a community organizer Luis has worked to create all inclusive coalitions to secure equal rights in local communities. Luis is the recipient of the 2009 Equality Arizona Central Activist Award. Luis is walking to ensure that everyone is treated equally under state and federal law.

Paul Roark, Equality Walker

Paul Roark has over ten years of managerial experience in the private sector. Paul was co-owner, with life-partner Jimmy Gruender, of a successful company for five years before moving to Phoenix. After arriving in the Valley in 2003, Paul gained employment with a private country club as Assistant Chef. While in this position he attended and graduated with honors from the Arizona Culinary Institute and was promoted in 2007 to his current position of Director of Purchasing.

Paul began donating volunteer time to Phoenix Pride in 2005 for Festival Merchandise sales and received the 2006 Pride Volunteer of the Year before being nominated and elected to the Board. Paul currently serves as the Vice-Chair for Phoenix Pride. Paul also serves as Secretary for the Consolidated Association of Prides, Inc (CAPI), which is a regional PRIDE association.

Straight, but not narrow: an ally speaks

Walker Tracy Loafmans Guest Column for Echo Magazine (www.echomag.com)

With the designation of “ally,” I was thrilled to encounter a positive term that defines my role in the lives of my GLBT friends.

It is my honor to unite with them, my responsibility to fight for them and my dream to see them receive the same rights I receive simply because I love a man rather than another woman.

It hurts to see my friends and so many others rejected based entirely and exclusively on their sexual orientation.

Like many people who have never known an openly gay person, I don’t remember caring one way or the other about the LGBT community. Then someone I love very much revealed the long, hidden secret, and I was deeply affected.

At first, I was an angry ally, defensive of my friend and irritated by everyone’s ignorance. Obviously, this technique had no positive impact on the way my friend was viewed by others. So I reconsidered my position.

I asked myself: How could I change perspectives and open minds? How could I help others support the gay community by becoming allies? Why was I an ally when it made me subject to ridicule as well?

As I learned more from my friend, I gained an understanding of the troubles and traumas the LGBT community experiences. I was able to empathize and I wanted to help others do the same.

Defined by Webster as having the “capacity for understanding [and] being sensitive to … the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another,” empathy requires a willingness to express your values to the ambiguous and offended in a way that will bring awareness of perspectives and empathetic consideration for those with differing viewpoints and the actions that result.

In a relationship, building trust, gaining loyalty, motivating others, and accomplishing goals requires an eagerness to understand and be sensitive to feelings while respecting one another’s positions.

I have never had to experience such inequality, but I bear witness to its effects, as those I love are denied the same opportunities as I have.

After the devastating blow to my friends with passage of Proposition 102, I am excited to be a part of the second Right to Marry event. I sometimes doubt whether I can do it, but then I remember the love, support and devotion that I have received from my gay friends, and I am determined.

So, I walk to peacefully protest inequality, to support the GLBT community and to encourage open minds so that one day we will witness a change so big that half the state of Arizona votes in favor of it.

To others who may be considered allies out there: these feelings may be uncomfortable, but temporary. The conversations are awkward, but necessary. The efforts are demanding, but powerful. But the results will be profound when our efforts help to change the world into one filled with open-minded, open-hearted people who personify the values that positively impact the lives of others.

Route

Sunday August 9th
Attend Service 8:15 am – 9:45 am

Scottsdale Bible Church

7601 E Shea Blvd

Scottsdale, AZ 85260

1. Head west on E Shea Blvd toward N Miller Rd
2. Turn left at N 74th St
3. Slight right to stay on N 74th St
4. Continue on E Gold Dust Ave
5. Turn left at N Scottsdale Rd
6. Turn left at N Drinkwater Blvd Destination will be on the left

(7.18 miles) (Pace 2.33 miles an hour)

Lunch on Lawn with Scottsdale City Officials

1:00pm – 2:00pm

Scottsdale City Center

3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd

Scottsdale, AZ 85251

7. Head south on N Drinkwater Blvd toward E 2nd St
8. Slight left at N Scottsdale Rd
9. Continue on S Rural Rd
10. Slight right to stay on S Rural Rd
11. Slight right to stay on S Rural Rd
12. Turn right at E University Dr

(5.81 miles)

Attend All Saints Catholic Newman Center Mass 7:00pm – 8:30pm

230 E. University Dr.

Phone: 480-967-7823 480-967-7823

Daily Total: 14.99 Monday August 10th All Saints Catholic Newman Center7:00am230 E. University Dr.Tempe, AZ 85281(.5 miles) (Pace .5 miles an hour) 1. Head west on E University Dr toward S Forest Ave
2. Turn right at S Forest Ave
3. Turn left at E 5th St Destination will be on the left
Breakfast on Lawn with City OfficialsTempe City Hall 8:00am-9:00am31 E. 5th StreetTempe, AZ 1. Go R on Mill Ave
3. Turn left at E University Dr
4. Turn right at S Rural Rd
5. Turn left at S Terrace Rd
6. Turn left at E Apache Blvd
7. Continue on W Main StTurn left on Center
(7.32 miles) (Pace 1.83 miles an hour)Lunch in Cafe with City OfficialsMesa City Hall 1:00-2:00pm20 E. Main StreetMesa, AZ 85201 1. Head east on E Main St toward N Lewis St
(.8 miles)2:45pm-3:30pmMormon Tempe 101 South LeSueur Mesa, Arizona United States 1. Head west on Main St.
2. Turn left at S Mesa Dr
3. Turn right at E Baseline Rd
4. Continue straight to stay on E Baseline Rd
5. Continue straight to stay on E Baseline Rd
6. Turn left at AZ-87/S Country Club Dr Continue to follow AZ-87
7. Turn right at W Galveston St Destination will be on the right
(8.3 miles)Parish of the Diocese of Phoenix Saint Mary’s230 W Galveston St, Chandler, AZ 85225 Total Mileage Monday: 16.92Total Mileage: 31.91 Tuesday August 11th Attend Mass at 6:30am – 8:00 am Parish of the Diocese of Phoenix Saint Mary’s230 W Galveston St, Chandler, AZ 85225 1. Head east on W Galveston St toward N Nebraska St
2. Turn right at N Arizona Ave/AZ-87
3. Slight left to stay on N Arizona Ave/AZ-87
4. Turn left at E Buffalo St
5. Turn right at N Arizona Pl
(1 mile)8:30am-9:30amBreakfast with City OfficialsChandler City Hall 55 N. Arizona Pl.Chandler Arizona 1. Head north on N Arizona Pl toward E Buffalo St
2. Turn right at E Buffalo St
3. Turn left at N Delaware St
4. Turn right at E Chandler Blvd
5. Slight left to stay on E Chandler Blvd
6. Turn left at N Superstition Blvd
7. Turn right at E Ray Rd
10. Continue on W Cypress St
11. Turn left at S Gilbert Rd
12. Turn right at E Civic Center Dr
(4.6 miles)12:00pm-1:00pmLunch with City OfficialsGilbert City Hall50 East Civic Center DriveGilbert, Arizona 1. Head west on E Civic Center Dr toward S Gilbert Rd
2. Turn right at S Gilbert Rd
3. Turn left at W Warner Rd
4. Turn right at S Cooper Rd
8. Turn left at W Elliot Rd
9. Slight right to stay on W Elliot Rd
10. Slight right to stay on W Elliot Rd
11. Slight left to stay on W Elliot Rd Destination will be on the left
(8.7 miles)5:30pm Dayspring United Methodist Church1365 E. Elliot Road, Tempe, Arizona 85284 Dinner and Meeting w 1n10 – 6:30pm Total Mileage Tuesday: 14.3Total Mileage: 46.21 Wednesday August 12th
7:00am

Dayspring United Methodist Church

1365 E. Elliot Road, Tempe, Arizona 85284

1. Head west on E Elliot Rd toward S Lakeshore Dr
2. Turn right at S Rita Ln
3. Continue on E Stephens Dr
4. Turn right at S Rural Rd
5. Turn left at E Guadalupe Rd
6. Turn right at Avenda Del Yoqui
7. Turn left at W Baseline Rd
8. Slight left to stay on W Baseline Rd
9. Turn left at S 7th St
10. Turn left at E Desert Ln

(10.7 miles)

Jehovah's Witnesses: South Mountain Congregation

811 E Desert Ln

Phoenix, AZ 85042

(602) 268-1957 (602) 268-1957‎

watchtower.org

1. Head west on E Desert Ln toward S 8th St 0.2 mi
2. Turn right at S 7th St 0.2 mi
3. Turn left at S Jesse Owens Pkwy 0.4 mi
4. Turn left at E Baseline Rd 3.6 mi
5. Slight left at W Baseline Rd 0.4 mi
6. Turn left at Cesar Chavez Park Dr 0.2 mi

(5 miles)

Cesar Chavez Park

Total Mileage Wednesday: 15.7 milesTotal Mileage: 61.91 miles Thursday August 13th
7am

Cesar Chavez Park


Start out going EAST on VISTA DEL SUR toward S 35TH AVE.

Turn LEFT onto S 35TH AVE.

Turn RIGHT onto W BASELINE RD.

Turn LEFT onto S CENTRAL AVE.

Keep LEFT at the fork to continue on S CENTRAL AVE.

Turn LEFT onto W WASHINGTON ST.

100 W WASHINGTON ST is on the RIGHT.


8.90 miles

Wells Fargo Building

100 W WASHINGTON ST

Lunch & Piece of Cake


Turn LEFT onto N CENTRAL AVE

Turn LEFT onto W GLENDALE AVE.

555 W GLENDALE AVE is on the LEFT.


7.57 miles

Church of Beatitudes

555 W GLENDALE

Phoenix, AZ

Total Mileage Thursday: 16.47Total Mileage: 78.38 Friday August 14th
Church of Beatitudes – Breakfast

555 W GLENDALE

Phoenix, AZ


Start out going EAST on W GLENDALE AVE toward N 6TH AVE

Turn LEFT onto N 20TH ST

Turn LEFT onto E MYRTLE AVE.

1930 E MYRTLE AVE is on the RIGHT.


(3.1 miles)

SGI Buddhist Activity Center

1930 E. Myrtle.


Start out going EAST on E MYRTLE AVE toward N 20TH ST

Turn RIGHT onto N 20TH ST.

Turn LEFT onto E GLENDALE AVE.

E GLENDALE AVE becomes E LINCOLN DR.

2110 E LINCOLN DR is on the LEFT.


(1 miles)

Congregation Bais Menachem

2110 E. Lincoln Drive

Phoenix, AB 85016 USA

Phone: 602-944-2753 602-944-2753

6. Head west on E Lincoln Dr toward N 21st St
7. Turn left at N 21st St
8. Turn right at E Ocotillo Rd
9. Turn left at N 20th St
10. Turn right at E Maryland Ave
11. Continue on N 18th St
12. Slight right to stay on N 18th St
13. Turn right at N 18th St/E Bethany Home Rd Continue to follow E Bethany Home Rd
18. Turn left at N Central

(5.8 miles)

Lunch

Mazies

4750 N Central
Start out going NORTH on N CENTRAL AVE toward E PIERSON ST

Turn LEFT onto W CAMELBACK RD.

Turn LEFT onto N 7TH AVE.

Turn LEFT onto W MCDOWELL RD.

Turn RIGHT onto N CENTRAL AVE.

Turn LEFT onto W ROOSEVELT ST.

Turn RIGHT onto N 3RD ST.

Turn LEFT onto E MONROE ST.

400 E MONROE ST.
(6.13 miles)

Catholic Bishop

400 E. Monroe


Dinner at Church

Total Mileage Friday: 16.03
Total Mileage: 94.

Saturday August 15th
Catholic Bishop

400 E. Monroe

1. Head west on E Monroe St toward N 3rd St 0.3 mi
2. Turn left at N Central Ave 384 ft
3. Turn right at W Adams St Destination will be on the left 0.2 mi

Phoenix City Hall

4. Head west on W Adams St toward N 3rd Ave 0.3 mi
5. Turn left at N 7th Ave 390 ft
6. Turn right at W Washington St 0.7 mi
7. Continue on W Adams St 0.3 mi
8. Turn left at N 19th Ave 404 ft
9. Turn left at W Washington St 0.1 mi

State Capital


Speakers & Kiss In

Total Mileage Saturday: 2.59 milesTotal Mileage: 97 miles!