As of Today, I'm a Card Carrying Member of Lambda Legal

[Mike 03]

"Making the case for Equality"

Today I received my membership card, a sticker, a legal checklist and the Fall 2008 magazine.

In spite of my initial fears, I'm very happy that I have become involved in this fight, but I have only one thing to thank for that: You. This community here at DU.

If it had not been for you, I never in a million years would have cared enough to get involved. I never would have formulated the courage to do it.

My heartfelt thanks to this community here at DU, and the awakening that you have sparked in some of us.

My hope is that others here at DU who were similarly touched and affected by the outpouring of emotion and truthful discourse that was generated by the passage of those hateful propositions here might come forward as well and join this fight.

And to anyone reading this who maybe has some trepidation or doubts about getting involved in the fight for whatever reason: It's not so hard and it's not so bad.

Even if perhaps you think you don't have a dog in this fight, think real hard about the teachers, friends, mentors, inspirational people who have made an impact on your life. Think about the writers, musicians, singers who have made life more tolerable. Think of the doctors, lawyers, scientists who have made our world more comprehensible. Were any of them GLBT? Search your soul and think a second time, please, about whether you have an obligation to step up to this plate. I know I did.

The world has changed. This fight, I think and hope, will be a much easier fight than our parents had in the 1960s over rights for African Americans.

We are just one hurdle away from equal rights for GLBT, I know we are. And this won't take decades. At least that is my belief and hope.

I've begun to have conversations with people about the issue of equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons--some of them with very conservative people who voted for McCain and voted for Prop 8--and it is not frightening or anything like that. Just speak the truth. Explain why you have become involved in this issue. Speak from the heart. Your reason may be different from mine, but I talk about equality, the Constitution and Civil Rights. You may not persuade them right away, but you might jolt them into thinking about it, and thought leads to changes of heart.

Some of the people you most fear may tell you they respect you for doing what you believe in and that, deep down, they know we are right.

Sorry for another passionate but aimless ramble.

Love you to all, and peace

EDIT:

I'm under no illusions that donating money and talking to people is a huge step in the fight. It's just a pittance compared to what people in this community have put up and continue to put up with. But it's just a big step for me, and I want to encourage others who are afraid or would never think of doing this to just do it if it is in their heart to agree that this is the right thing to do.

You are fighting the fight.

We are on the sidelines, helping however we can.

[TomInTib]

1. What is "Lamdha Legal"?

This is the first I have heard of it.

Thanks

Tom

[donco6]

3. Lambda Legal is a great group.

Their mission is to wage legal battle against the RW.

http://www.lambdalegal.org/

I highly recommend them.

[Cornus]

4. Here's their web site

http://www.lambdalegal.org/

[lamp_shade]

2. Your courage will some day be rewarded. You have my admiration.

[bluedawg12]

5. Good for you! I recall the day you asked about this and your own story

of your memory of something that triggered your very human empathy.

You are a good soul Mike 03. :pals:

It's been quite a journey this last month, no? :-)

[Mike 03]

6. Thank you for remembering. Indeed, this last month was something

I didn't expect at all. It went from the heights of happiness with the Obama victory, to the depths of seeing what Prop 8 meant to people I care about, and remembering a lot of very painful things.

But it was necessary to remember.

I'm still so frustrated that there is not some better way to express my deep unfulfilled gratitude to the people I mentioned.

Especially my writing teacher. That was in the very early days of AIDS when it was something shameful, and I'm still so angry that we were not allowed to say goodbye. I can't even express it.

I don't even think his name is on the Quilt. I've checked it to see.

Well, the people here know better than I do, but man, if you can't say goodbye to someone who has made such a huge difference in your life, or even be permitted to know what happened, it can drive you crazy. I have no idea where he is buried, or how to express my thanks to him.

EDIT

Sorry to be so emotional. This has really stirred up a lot of feelings. And there is no other place I know to express them.

Thanks for listening.

[bluedawg12]

7. It's all good Mike.

Remembering and honoring those who impacted our lives, is all good.

[TechBear_Seattle]

8. This calls for dancing rodents

Conga rats!

[yardwork]

9. Congratulations, Mike 03!

Lambda Legal is a great organization.