It's been a difficult and rocky period lately for the LGBT struggle for freedom and justice. The shock of the
Department of Justice brief, no reaction from the President about the contents of that brief, a partial Federal employees benefit package and a hot debate on where our resources should be expended have left us all cranky and breathless. For many of us, it was a week of grave disappointment and at times disbelief. Others were more accommodating and less upset. Several even changed their minds in the middle of the stream and ended up supporting the hideous brief in a sad effort to end the discussion. What a wake-up call for us all.
In a recent posting, the inimitable Sean Strub wrote a line that I just loved. He said, "We are a community of free will." No description could be more perfect at this time and place. Throughout history in great movements for change, civil rights and peace, the right way to proceed always has been hotly debated. Some with righteous indignation proclaim loudly 'my way or the highway.' Others quickly apply labels or pass harsh judgements on those with whom they disagree on a number of issues. This week I was tempted to do just that and call certain people out on certain issues. I was and still am extremely upset.
Guess my harshest judgement would be for those who have no passion for justice and freedom at all. Folks who sit on the sidelines and wait for others to carry the burden and then reap the benefits. What will they tell future generations about their role? Will they have to admit they were too busy, too discouraged, too above it all in the greatest civil rights movement of their generation that they didn't participate or simply missed it? How tragic for them. How tragic for us.
For me, I can only share with you my sometimes flawed but always sincere values and principles. If they resonate with any of you I am deeply grateful. If you not, then just do something that will make it happen in a better way. There are always better ways. Here is where I am at the end of this week:
-I just sent a check that I was planning on giving to the Democratic Party to the initiative battle in Maine. They will have on the ballot this November their passage of marriage equality. Let's be sure they have the resources they need early and not at the last minute. I made my contribution through ACT BLUE.
-I will not contribute to the Democratic National Party nor to any candidate who does not have an actual record of voting for marriage, against DADT, etc. No more empty promises from well-meaning politicians. I have been burned so many times I am running out of salve.
-There is no question that wise minds and cool heads have to discuss and plan a national campaign of civil disobedience.
-No more needless compromises or working for partial victories. It is time to go all out for the repeal of DOMA and DADT. The political convenience of an elected official and his calendar is not the business of a civil rights movement. The business of a civil rights movement is freedom.
-I will be watching our national organizations closely with an understanding eye to their mission. However, their mission should be our rights first and the politicians second.
-No longer will I jump up and down simply because the President or Democratic leadership just mentions they are against DOMA or for repeal of DADT. We are long past the days when we were just happy when they said the word 'gay.' I want action and I want it now.
-Will do everything I can to get as many people as possible to the March on Washington on October 11. Let us make a powerful, eloquent statement while empowering ourselves!
-Finally, I will continue to chose my words as carefully as I chose my actions. I don't want to become like our oppressors - filled with anger and derision. I want us to not only lift ourselves up into freedom but also to lift our oppressors out of their partisan hate into a better world.
Feel free to express your free will and disagree with any or all of the above. Not only am I comfortable with alternative viewpoints, I welcome them. Honest debate not only makes us all smarter, but more connected. But in the end, we need to impress that our collective values, principles and beliefs are not up for a vote.
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