Photographic slide of the first March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights

The first National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights took place on October 14, 1979 in response to Reagan's imminent presidency, LGBTQ intolerance, and the recent assassination of Californian politician Harvey Milk. The march began at the Capitol and terminated at the Washington Monument. Comite Homosexual Latinoamericano (COHLA) was founded in New York in 1972. COHLA member Juanita Ramos served on both the national planning committee and the New York committee and was a speaker for the 1979 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. The planning committees voted to have lesbians of color lead the march, followed by men of color.

A color photographic slide depicting demonstrators standing by a "Comité Homosexual Latinoamericano" banner during the first National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. In the center of the image, a yellow banner with the words [COMITE HOMOSEXUAL LATINOAMERICANO] occupies the foreground and sea of marchers can be seen in the background, standing in front of the Monument. One of the individuals holding the banner wears a blue t-shirt and a black jacket, pinned to the jacket is a yellow circular button with [GAY POWER] written on it. Another person stands in front of the banner wearing a brown vest and pants and a beige and brown striped overcoat. The white encasement that houses the slide film reads [NOV 79 R3] on the front. On the back is a yellow and orange Kodak logo and the words [Ektachrome SLIDE] printed in blue ink.