Walkers to Traverse Ariz. for Marriage Equality

How far would you go for marriage equality?

Seventeen activists plan to spend the first two weeks of August outdoors, traversing southern Arizona on foot for it.

The Equality Walkers will walk 99 miles, representing the 99 years that Arizona has been a state without marriage equality. Walking 99 miles through the desert in the middle of summer may seem downright absurd, but for Meg Sneed, the co-director for the walk, the purpose is to be bold and the length is meant to be challenging.

"It has been challenging for gay and lesbian Arizonans to go 99 years without equal rights," Sneed told EDGE. "Walking symbolizes a journey and a destination, because it's time to end the days of second-class citizenship for LGBT people."

When the Equality Walkers' feet hit the pavement, they will walk through 18 cities in nine counties, bringing their message of love and acceptance to police, city managers, people of faith, elected officials and individuals in diverse legislative districts.

"We walk to open a dialogue, and to tell our stories - because once you hear someone's story it can never be unheard," stressed Sneed. "The walk is mentally and physically challenging but nothing in comparison to being told that you cannot marry the one you love. We really strive to open the conversation in all places."

Sneed stressed it is these personal stories that are needed in Arizona-a state without an LGBT-friendly Legislature.

"Arizona has one of the most conservative legislative bodies and anything progressive isn't able to get far," she said, noting Arizona became the first state to defeat a defense of marriage amendment when voters struck it down in 2006. The amendment passed by a small margin two years later.

"Arizonans pride themselves on their traditional values, but we have seen time and time again that the strongest value is love, added Sneed."

Jimmy Gruender and Paul Roark, who have been together for 18 years, are among the 17 walkers who are scheduled to take part. Meg and Abby Sneed and high school student Kayden Whitley will also participate.

The walk will start in Parker on Friday, Aug. 5. Walkers will pass through Yuma on Saturday, Aug. 6; Casa Grande, Eloy and Arizona City on Sunday, Aug. 7; Tucson on Monday, Aug. 8; Nogales and Sierra Vista on Tuesday, Aug. 9; Bisbee and Tombstone on Wednesday, Aug. 10; Safford, Thatcher and Pima on Thursday, Aug. 11; Clifton and Duncan on Friday, Aug. 12; Florence and Queen Creek on Saturday, Aug. 13 and Phoenix on Sunday, Aug. 14.

Walkers face potential heat exhaustion or worse, but Meg Sneed said she is not worried about the potential dangers.

"We have safety trainings with all the walkers, and a support team that will be watching all the walkers to make sure that they are taking care of themselves," she said. "Also we will have water and Gatorade available for all the walkers."

The walk is being organized by H.E.R.O., whose mission is to create all-inclusive coalitions to secure equal rights through service, action, visibility and education. H.E.R.O.'s vision is to create a world free of discrimination with equal rights and dignity for all.

Marriage equality is not something on which Meg Sneed and the 16 other Equality Walkers will give up-they plan to walk all 99 miles regardless of the heat and physical challenges.

"Arizona may be conservative but the state is split on the issue of marriage equality, but as we have walked across the state the past three years we have seen that even in the smallest towns, the most conservative towns people are open to talk about marriage equality," she said. "They are open to hearing our stories and telling theirs, and as we have walked we have learned that a person's story is the most powerful and persuasive tool."