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Today in History: Great March draws 750,000 for LGBT Rights

By Drooid · Oct 11, 2026, 10:36 AM UTC · How we work

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Summary

Story summary

On October 11 1987, about 750,000 activists gathered in Washington, D.C., for the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights—dubbed “The Great March”—to demand civil-rights protections for LGBT people. The rally gave ACT UP its first nationwide exposure and sparked mass civil-disobedience protests at the Supreme Court the following day.

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Story summary

On October 11 1987, about 750,000 activists gathered in Washington, D.C., for the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights—dubbed “The Great March”—to demand civil-rights protections for LGBT people. The rally gave ACT UP its first nationwide exposure and sparked mass civil-disobedience protests at the Supreme Court the following day.