Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009
our dream is real
MCT
Kathy Griffin
My weekend was like most - did some housework, a trip to the local market, spent a few hours at the beach and even enjoyed a cocktail or two while watching some television with my boyfriend. In many ways, this weekend, however, was quite different. This weekend, thousands gathered in Washington, D.C., to rally for LGBT equality on a national level. On Sunday (Oct. 11), which was also National Coming Out Day, gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual and straight people gathered in the nation's capital to demand that President Obama and Congress live up to the promise of equal rights for all citizens of the United States in all 50 states in all things governed by law.
I was unable to attend the National Equality March, but I followed along as C-SPAN aired the events live and attendees tweeted the events on Twitter.com. I actually had five Web sites going at once as I was following this or that person on Twitter, going through nearly-up-to-the-minute galleries on Flickr.com and updating my own fans on Facebook.com.
The rally was beginning on a beautiful sunny day in the West Lawn of the Capitol building while marchers were still seven blocks deep down Pennsylvania Avenue, according to Equality Across America, the grassroots organization behind the march and rally.
Early online reports projected more than 250,000 attendees, proving many people wrong that had simply dismissed the event. Openly gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) said the demonstration would be "a waste of time at best," according to the Associated Press. He called it "an emotional event" that would put little pressure on Congress. Speakers at the rally struck back at Frank with disappointment and ire, pointing out that the rally did mean something to the thousands of people attending and even more to those watching across the country.
Those speakers ranged from young to old, gay to straight, women and men and covered nearly every race representing the diversity that exists in the LGBT community. Keynote speaker Julian Bond, Chairman of the NAACP, said simply that "gay rights are civil rights" and that "good things don't come to those who wait, but to those who agitate."
Aiyi'nah Ford, co-host of the LISTEN-Up internet radio program (www.blogtalkradio.com/LISTEN-Up), also made an important call to those in the crowd. "The most effective activism is claiming your own truth," said Ford.
The one thing that we must remember from the event, whether you were lucky enough to be there or not - is that simple directive which was also uttered many times by gay rights icon Harvey Milk: You must come out of the closet. Sen. Frank is correct in one aspect - the march did little to change laws and opinions if the fight ends on the grass in front of the Capitol building. But as Cleve Jones, National Equality March co-chairman, said to the crowd, "When you go home you must promise - promise that you will go home and do the work that is necessary."
One of the main points of Sunday's march was the fact that equality in certain states or acceptance in certain places of the country isn't enough anymore. Gay and lesbian people can now marry in six states - yes. We don't feel discriminated against in places like New York City, San Francisco, Key West, Fla. and many other major cities - true. Even South Carolina's state capital, Columbia, has laws in place now against housing and employment discrimination.
However, the problem is that people in smaller towns just like Myrtle Beach are not safe from discrimination. They can be fired because of the person they love at home. They don't feel safe to walk down the street holding the hand of the man or woman they love.
These small towns are where we must work. We must also realize that the work must begin within ourselves. Many LGBT people don't have the courage to come out of the closet. It is understandable. Coming out of the closet can be very dangerous. You must come to terms with the fact that you may lose everything you cherish, including your family. But I'm reminded of a very important message from Sunday's march. I'm reminded of the people who vote against us at the polls - the people who elect anti-gay politicians over and over again. These people do not know us. They do not know that what they do hurts their gay or lesbian niece, nephew or grandchild. Doing nothing to counteract anti-gay forces is the same thing as standing on the opposite side of the picket lines for LGBT equality.
Dustin Lance Black, the award-winning screenwriter of the motion picture "Milk" called on LGBT people to make a stand and make history, just like activists have done many times before us. "Our dream sounds like this," said Black. "We the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people of America demand that the promise of our Constitution and Declaration of Independence be honored. We demand that the Federal Government act immediately, decisively and unequivocally to assure equal protection under the law for LGBT people throughout the United States of America. Full and equal federal rights, that is our Promised Land."
What if we all came out of the closet? What if we all told one more person that we were gay or lesbian or bisexual? What if our straight allies told their community the importance of LGBT people in our society? Black also said "we must free ourselves." In order for equality to come to all people, we can no longer hide behind closet doors, fake families or simple silence. LGBT and straight allies alike must march every day, must yell at our politicians in every way and must stand up for ourselves in every community.
To sign up with Equality Across America and find out what you can do in your Congressional District, text your e-mail address and ZIP code to 37686 or visit www.equalityacrossamerica.org.
out & about
Saturday, Oct. 17 - The Carolina Bear Lodge will host the Myrtle Beach Bear Dinner at 6 p.m. Saturday at J. Edward's, 2300 S. Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach. The Carolina Bear Lodge was formed in 1994 by a group of hairy and masculine guys who, according to the organization's Web site, did not "fit in with the normal gay groups." Local dinners are held at various restaurants throughout the Carolinas, now including the Myrtle Beach area. For more information, visit www.carolinabears.com or send an e-mail to myrtlebeach@carolinabears.com.
Sunday, Oct. 18 - Self-identified D-list celebrity and gay fave comedienne Kathy Griffin makes a stop in North Charleston on Sunday. The performance at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center starts at 8 p.m. and tickets range from $38.50 to $58.50. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.coliseumpac.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
Have a thought, comment or Out & About event? Send Chris Rudisill an e-mail at SouthernGayWriter@gmail.com or on Facebook.com@SouthernGayWriter.