NEW YORK, -- 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 our most inspiring activism stories ("Equality U," "Rock the Boat," "Coming Out Stories"), and some of our most pressing community issues ("Tying The Knot," "The Ride: Seven Days To End AIDS").
ABOUT EQUALITY ACROSS AMERICA (EAA)
Equality Across America is a network of decentralized organizers in every one of the 435 Congressional districts. These organizers form Congressional District Action Teams (CDATs) that work within their own communities to achieve full equality for LGBT Americans and their families. EAA supports the following key pieces of legislation: the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), the Repeal of Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and the Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT). With members of every race, class, faith, and community, EAA sees the struggle for LGBT equality as part of a larger movement for peace and social justice.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL EQUALITY MARCH (NEM)
National Equality March is being organized by EAA to show broad-based support for full equality for LGBT Americans on the doorstep of those who can make that happen - the United States Congress. The event will be held Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, 2009 in Washington, D.C. Each EAA Congressional District Action Team will mobilize its community to attend the event. LOGO TV is a proud in-kind supporter of the March.
ABOUT LOGO
Logo is the world's leading ad-supported cable, satellite, online, mobile and digital entertainment gay and lesbian-themed network, from MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B). Launched in 2005, Logo's cable channel is in more than 39 million homes across the United States and is complemented by a federation of online properties, including LOGOonline.com, TripOutGayTravel.com, AfterEllen.com, AfterElton.com, 365gay.com, DowneLink.com and NewNowNext.com. Logo's content is distributed across all leading download-to-own, streaming and mobile services. The most influential brand for the most influential audience, Logo provides a mix of original and acquired entertainment as well as news, social networking and community building that are authentic, smart, fun, entertaining, and inclusive. Logo joins MTV Networks' roster of popular and highly targeted brands which include MTV, Comedy Central, VH1 and Spike TV.
ABOUT MTV NETWORKS
MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products. The company's portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 350 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Noggin, The N, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, Atom, Gametrailers and Xfire.
EQUALITY ACROSS AMERICA CONTACT:
Phil Siegel
415-333-1650
Phil@nationalequalitymarch.com
LOGO CONTACTS:
Jason Shumaker Michael Barrett
212-846-7325 212-654-3060
Jason.Shumaker@mtvn.com Michael.Barrett@logostaff.com
