Hampton Roads Singer's Song Becomes Gay Rights Anthem

I have known local singer, Julie Clark (pictured at left), for several years now and first met her thrugh Hampton Roads Business OutReach ("HRBOR"). She's both smart and talented and I hope the media exposure from the selection of a song she released back in January as the anthem for the National Equality March will give a further boost to her career. I agree with Julie that equal rights and equality means equality for all, not just those who conform to a particular religious belief. Congratulations Julie!!! Here are some highlights from the Virginian Pilot's story on this development.

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Singer-songwriter Julie Clark might be one of the best-known artists gigging around Hampton Roads, her folk-acoustic-pop stylings are a staple at local festivals and live venues around town. This weekend, though, the performer will play the biggest gig of her life, and it's a party with a purpose.

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On Sunday, Clark will perform her song "Courage of Our Convictions" on the West Lawn of the Capitol building in Washington for the National Equality March, an event supporting equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

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"I'm really looking forward to it," she said. "The energy is going to be high. I did think I had a good shot at winning, because the song is so appropriate for the event." The lyrics of the song don't explicitly mention gay rights but rather the universal themes of civil rights, God, justice and conquering hate. Clark wrote the song with the LGBT community in mind, though. "I feel very strongly that we don't live in a just society until everyone is equal, including gays and lesbians," she said.

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Clark entered the song contest a month ago; finalists were selected by industry judges and then a public voting forum via Facebook, YouTube and text messages. In addition to getting to perform the song at the march, at which Lady Gaga also is scheduled to appear, Clark won a plane ticket, which she said she'll use for her increasing number of performances out of state.

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It will be a pleasure to see Julie perform on Sunday. It should be an interesting day and I will naturally write about the experience.