Creel, Foster, Eustis, Stone, Jones and More Hold Equality Rally in Central Park Aug. 28

By Adam Hetrick
28 Aug 2009

Gavin Creel
Gavin Creel

Tony nominee Gavin Creel and members of the Broadway community unite Aug. 28 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park for a "mobilization rally" in anticipation of the National Equality March.

The 2:30 PM event is a precursor to the Oct. 11 Equality March on Washington that seeks to establish equal rights for LGBT citizens in all states. The 2009 event comes 30 years after LGBT activists first marched on Washington in October 1979 to fight for equal rights.

Participating in the Aug. 28 rally are gay rights activist Cleve Jones, Public Theater artistic director Oskar Eustis, Wicked and Next to Normal producer David Stone, Tony Award winner Sutton Foster, veteran Broadway stage manager Nancy Harrington, Empire State Pride Agenda executive director Alan Van Cappelle and Hair Tony nominee and Broadway Impact founder Gavin Creel.

Activists are seeking marriage equality, adoption rights, workplace discrimination reform, hate crimes legislation, immigration reform, school anti-bullying policies as well as the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

"The theatre community has always been a force for change. This rally will give us the chance to come together to spread the message of Equality and hopefully encourage others to join us at the National Equality March in October," Creel said in a statement.

"The Public Theater has always aspired to make theatre that matters, that speaks to the great social issues of our time," Eustis said in a previous statement. "Hair has never been just a show; its message of change and hope and inclusion is one we try to live, not just preach. This is the moment when we need to recognize the right of all citizens, gay and straight, to have their love and their unions acknowledged by the state. We are proud to join with Cleve Jones and the National Equality March in support of gay marriage. Peace now! Equality now! Justice forever!"

The closest entrances to the Delacorte are located at 81st Street and Central Park West or 70th Street and Fifth Avenue.

Visit NationalEqualityMarch.