Days before the tax deadline, peaceful protesters carried signs as they marched in Los Angeles Sunday demanding equal Social Security benefits for same-sex couples.
The rally-known widely as Rock for Equality-donned approximately 700 demonstrators whom rallied at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and marched more than a mile to the Social Security Administration office in Hollywood to demand an end to the discrimination that deprives older LGBT taxpayers of more than $120 million in Social Security benefits each year.
According to the Washington Post, Lorri L. Jean, CEO of the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center said, "This was the kickoff for a national campaign to end discrimination when it comes to Social Security."
"We not only have to educate the straight community, but we have to educate our own. Many don't know how it works until they're older and faced with having been denied benefits."
Before the march, U.S. Rep. Linda Sanchez told the crowd she would author legislation that would extend survivor benefits to older gay and lesbian couples.
"We now have quality, affordable health care coming to all," Sanchez said. "What good is the quality of our health care in America if Americans are not treated equally under all of our laws?"
"I don't think it's right that Americans should be treated differently by the country they love because of who they love," Sanchez said, triggering a roaring applause from the crowd.
"Right now, same-sex marriage couples pay equally into a system that they don't receive equal benefits from in return. Shame on this country for allowing that to happen," added Sanchez.
At the rally, it was announced that What Kind of Planet Are We On?-an online video that tells the story of a lesbian alien who is denied Social Security benefits-triumphed in YouTube's 4th Annual DoGooder Awards. The video, which won the Best Innovation in Video category, was featured at the top of the YouTube homepage, where it reached hundreds of thousands with its message about the need to stop discrimination in Social Security benefits.
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