March for Equality to be staged March 20 in Casa Grande
By Meg Wadding

Using Casa Grande as the site for an LGBT equality festival and march is a strategic decision, according to the event’s organizer.

The second annual March for Equality will be March 20 at Casa Grande’s Peart Park.

“Being located between Tucson and Phoenix, we feel as though our location will help us bring together the state,” said Christopher Hall, founder and executive director of Casa Grande’s Central Arizona Rainbow Equality (CARE).

He said the event also serves to educate those living in Pinal County. “We must create pressure in areas that are more rural as that is where the foundation of many conservative bases is,” Hall said.

The event starts at noon with a three-hour festival featuring speakers, entertainment and informational booths. At 3:30 p.m. there will be an hour-long march in downtown Casa Grande.

The march “is geared to reach out to those who do not necessarily support us and our rights, in the hopes that we can change some individuals’ opinions,” said Hall, 20, a student at Central Arizona College.

While similar to last year’s event, Hall said this year will feature more diverse speakers and entertainers. There will be drag king and drag queen performances, a stand-up comedian and performances by students at Central Arizona College’s music department.

The show will be co-hosted by Barbra Seville and Lucinda Holliday.

Guest speakers will include Dr. Becky Allison, Antonia D'orsay, Kim Pearson, Jason Green and Jeffrey Dirrim.
Jim Munoz, who is running for the Legislature in District 16, will speak as the march starts.

“The trans community will be greatly represented as they are nearly half of our speakers,” Hall said. “We have straight allies among the schedule as well.”

Hall said he hopes this year’s event will attract twice the crowd of about 250 people who attended last year.

It is suggested that march participants wear tennis shoes and bring water. They are encouraged to bring signs or rainbow paraphernalia and anything to help create noise.

“We truly believe that hosting such events will allow others to realize it is OK to be who they are as they are not alone,” Hall said.

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