Hi MFA,
The following is a column I wrote to be published this week. It is for
the purpose of mustering the troupes for the rally and to explain to
those who lack empathy that gay people are people too. It has not yet
been filtered by the errors so there could be grammar or punctuation
mistakes. Just try to understand the message.
In the history of the US, it is the revolutionaries who brought about
justice, equality, and diversity. This country has had its share of
inspirational characters and each of which has made this the greatest
nation the world has ever seen. Those revolutionaries opened our
hearts, minds, and eyes to what is oppressive and taught us that to
stand up for justice and equality is as American as apple pie.
I am deeply inspired by our American revolutionaries and moved by the
words of Susan B. Anthony when she said, “It was we, the people; not
we, the white male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the
Union.” And I can not deny my tears when I hear the speeches of Martin
Luther King Jr. I am also overwhelmed with patriotism when I read
Thomas Jefferson’s “The majority, oppressing an individual, is guilty
of a crime, abuses its strength, and by acting on the law of the
strongest breaks up the foundations of society.” Words no less poetic
than the lyrics of the Star Spangled Banner.
In the beginning, it was Americans as an oppressed people and
together a declaration for independence was made. With that
independence, rights to freedom became constitutional, freedoms no
other nation could claim. Constitutional freedom became the spirit of
the American people and with that spirit, brave visionaries ended
oppression, first by race and later by gender. That American spirit is
self-perpetuating and is continuing with a cry for a new freedom, a
freedom to love and protect families, regardless of gender, race, or
sexual orientation.
Being forced to fight the establishment that was created to protect
us, makes it seem as if America lost her vision, but so be it; if we
have to stand up to governmental propositions that attempt to bind all
under a restricted creed then we will stand. The empathetic are
disgusted by the indignation put upon history’s minorities, therefore
the last place we should ever want to be is on the side of the
uncompassionate. Sam Adams said, “It is no dishonor to be in a
minority in the cause of liberty and virtue.” Protesting against
injustices is the beginning of liberty in any “rights” movement and is
the next inch gained toward social reason. On Saturday, November 29th,
at noon, citizens of Jackson will be making a statement of protest of
California’s Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage (at the Federal
Building in Jackson). I pray of those on this quest for civil rights
and love, to allow me to stand with you and share this moment in
American history and to take the next step in the evolution of
diversity.
As a heterosexual, gay rights is not an issue that affects my life
directly, however I find it impossible to not see the majority of the
gay population as genuinely good people whose aspirations break down
to one cause and that is to be loved. The hurt inflicted upon gay
individuals by their families and communities is expressed with horror
stories of rejection, harassment, and abuse, all of which are more
than I can hear in detail without dying a little inside. With that in
mind, I beg the opportunity to stand on the side of the tired, poor,
huddled masses, wretched refuse, and tempest-tost, to do so is the
pentacle of American patriotism. To be limited in scope can keep one
protected from the discomfort of change but the pains of birthing a
new conscience opens our eyes to see that we falsely believe that we
are free and gives us a new breath to speak up for diversity.
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