Walking Across America for Marriage Equality

Starting Feb. 1st, 2011, A.J. Goodrich, a gay-filmmaker based in Los Angeles, is walking across the country— from San Francisco to Boston— to talk to people about marriage equality and gay rights.

The journey will cover about 4,000 miles and take a total of seven months to complete, leading the crew over mountains and deserts, through Native American reservations, to the deep South and past the devastated Gulf.

Along the way, A.J. will engage local communities in a conversation about the issue, collect people’s stories about love and marriage, and spread his own message of equality.

“If one person overcomes their prejudice, because they met me and talked to me, then my journey will have accomplished something,” says A.J. as he seals another envelope with a fundraising letter inside. He is enlisting the help of friends and family, so he can buy the gear and equipment he needs for himself and his crew to make this journey possible.

“This is going to be more than just a film,” says John Conway, who will be walking alongside A.J. “We are beginning a movement. Getting people to open up about their fears and perceptions about gay rights and reaching an understanding that this is a civil rights issue. It really is possible”

When asked why is he walking, A.J. shares a story. They were contacted by a woman name Callie Savage who lives in a small town in Arkansas.  Callie’s long-term partner Amanda has been having health problems and Callie has been struggling with hospital visitation rights. But when asked, why doesn’t she leave her town and move where she can have a better quality of life, she told A.J. that someone needed to stay and fight so that there is change for the next generation.

That’s the inspiration that energizes A.J.  He is walking because someone needs to.  Without suffering there can’t be change.   “I hope with each step I take, we come closer to ending our struggle to be treated as equal citizens,” says A.J. 

But why not drive across the country instead?  A.J. smiles and responds, “driving is too easy.  When you tell someone you’ve walked all the way here to talk to them, you get their immediate attention.  Because you have suffered for something you believe in.”

To learn more about the project and see how you can help, please visit http://www.roadlesstravelledfilm.com/