These are the reasons why I marched.I marched for my 93 year old great-grandmother, my grandmother, my mother, my three sisters, my nieces and my love E. I marched for the women that are the most important in my life.
I also marched for my Muslim friend Ami and the love and peace that is shared between her and her husband. I marched for one of my best friends who is a transitioned trans-man and the fears that he has shared with me in something so simple as using the restroom in public. I marched for one of my oldest friends J and his husband. I marched for one of my closest friends who has been raped and for years was to terrified to tell anyone for fear that she wouldn't be believed. I marched for the countless other women and men who have been molested and raped and the fear that grips them. I marched for my Moms sister who was kidnapped and murdered and the life she never got to experience. I march for one of my African-American coworkers Father who gets threatened by the KKK on his postal route everyday. I marched for the countless first generation Mexican-American friends and coworkers and the beauty that their lives and their culture brings to this country. I marched because I was bullied through middle school and high school and it pains me to see a bully get off scot-free. I march for my girlfriend E and I's future and what this world might look like for us. I march for women who marry young because that is what society tells them to do. I marched for women who did not march, because they were scared of being judged by their husband and family. I marched for middle class, healthy stay at home mothers - I marched for the future of your children. I marched for women who have never experienced sexism, racism, bigotry, homophobic slurs and are therefore are so distant to understanding. I marched because I have the love and compassion of God in me and I know that the greatest commandment is to love. I marched because I grew up learning about the strong women of the Bible and that Esther would be marching right there with me. I marched for the single mother. I marched for the single father. I marched for the Suffragettes in history and their legacy. I marched against the sexism that I see everyday in the corporate world that I work in. I marched for women who have regrets in life, experience and love. I marched for women of every color, every religion and every sexual orientation.
To those who believe that I marched out of anger and hate. I want to tell you this. I did not march out of hate or anger against anyone, but I marched out of love and compassion for everyone.
