I’m not a frequent viewer of MSNBC, but maybe I will start paying more attention to Keith Olbermann. Here is a straight ally who really gets it. I appreciate both is commentary and is courage for standing up for what is right.
Now, a little over a week after being relegated to a “second-class” citizen, my mind is still boggled by the fever of the Mormons and Catholics who poured the millions of dollars into taking our right to marry away. I’m not throwing in the towel and with people like Keith Olbermann behind us, I know we will overturn this injustice and regain our right to equal protection under the law.
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05 Nov
Victory and Defeat
Have you ever felt excited and defeated at the same time? It’s a strange feeling and I’m trying to figure out exactly how to describe it. Last night as I watched and listened to President Elect Obama talk to the country with such optimism I started to see that this country could actually start to recover from the 8 years of disaster we’ve just experienced. As I watched the turn-over in both houses of the federal legislature, I started to see that issues like “don’t ask, don’t tell,” the national employment non-discrimination act, and Matthew Shepard Act (federal hate crimes legislation) will finally get passed and put in place. For the first time, I actually heard a President use the word “gay” in an equality context with race, nationality, and disability. That was awesome.
But then I woke up early this morning to see the final results of Proposition 8 and was deeply saddened to realize that the people of the State of California voted to take away my rights to have my marriage recognized equally with others and relegated me to a second-class status. Of all the states in this country that would have been the last place for it to happen, we actually took rights away from a group of people and wrote into our Constitution discrimination. What’s truly sad is that this movement was fueled and funded largely by religious zealots who don’t even live in California. Yes, I know, our own citizens voted for it. But the power of religious influence is often greater than common sense. All you have to do is look at how many people were sexually molested by priests in the Catholic Church and who kept silent out of fear imposed by these predators. As someone who teaches acceptance and understanding through hate crimes prevention, I’ve never been so embarrassed to have been affiliated with a hateful organization such as the Catholic Church. And now, I too, have been victimized by it’s hypocritical ideology.
At the same time, I’ve always been a strong proponent of the Constitution and our democratic system of government. I will certainly accept the outcome of the vote. It’s always been my practice to think about and find a silver lining in any negative situation and there is certainly a clear one with the Proposition 8 campaign. Since last May, when the Supreme Court ruled that California’s marriage law was unconstitutional, we have been engaged in a conversation. Gay people and gay marriage was made more visible than ever before. Over 16,000 couples took advantage of this window of opportunity and exercised their option to wed. We got more positive exposure as a community than in any other time in history that I can remember or have read about. And you can be assured that the conversation will continue.
As a community, we are becoming more visible and, slowly but surely, we are changing minds and hearts with our stories, our relationships, and our example. Yes, this is a horrible defeat, but I don’t believe it will last long. This amendment will be repealed because anyone with any common sense and who is free from the influence of religious zealots will realize that what we have just done is an act of discrimination and a clear violation of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution. It will just take time and, as a community, we must continue to talk and engage others. In the long term, I think we’ve gained much more than we lost in Proposition 8 and I intend to do my part to right this wrong.
Last month, Tony and I were guests on a local public radio station show called, “Outbeat Salon.” This podcast is the show in its entirety. We had a blast to say the least. The show’s hosts, Dianna and Sheridan, were both gracious and great fun to work with. Hey who knows, maybe some day I’ll get my own show! Take a listen and enjoy.
This weekend, I had the honor of co-producing a reading of “The Laramie Project” at the Napa Valley Opera House. I worked with an amazing drama director from our college, Jennifer King. This was one of only two presentations of the play that Judy Shepard attended as part of the 10th Year Observance of Matthew’s death. Over 300 members of the college and local community attended the reading and I can tell you with certain, everyone was moved. We also did a program for a local high school producing the play.
One of the greatest gifts that Matthew Shepard gave us was the ability to have conversations about difference and hate. His story continues to bring an important level of awareness to a subject that we still need to work on as a country.
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Wouldn’t it be great if one of these years we had a National Coming Out Day and no one did… because no one was still “in?”
According to About.com, “National Coming Out Day was founded by Robert Eichberg and Jean O’Leary on October 11, 1988 in celebration of the first gay march on Washington D.C. a year earlier. The purpose of the march and of National Coming Out Day is to promote government and public awareness of gay, bisexual, lesbian and transgender rights and to celebrate homosexuality. National Coming Out Day is a time to publicly display gay pride. Many choose this day to come out to their parents, friends, co-workers and themselves.”
If you are a member of the public safety profession and come out this month, please share your story with us. Go to www.comingoutfrombehindthebadge.com.
In celebration of this important day, we are offering signed copies of our book, “Coming Out From Behind The Badge” at a special discounted price through October 31st. CLICK HERE to order your copy or send a copy to a friend.
Source: http://gaylife.about.com/od/comingout/a/nationalcoming.htm
14 Sep
Concert To Stop the Hate!
October 12, 2008 will mark ten years since Matthew Shepard died after being viciously attacked in an event that put the term “hate crime” in the minds of people all over the world. You are invited to join us for a concert to Stop the Hate! I will be there and speaking about the Matthew Shepard Foundation and Stop the Hate! program.
For more information about Randi Driscoll, go to www.randidriscoll.com
For more information about Jason and Demarco, go to www.jasonanddemarco.com
To buy tickets, got to www.stophate.org/concert/
I’m excited to report that one of our authors is spearheading the formation of an organization for gay and lesbian police, fire, EMS, and military personnel. Here is what he has to say…
Greetings,
Alabama LEGAL (Law Enforcement Gays and Lesbians) in conjuction with members of the Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, and South Carolina law enforcement communities are putting together an social organization for the Southeastern region of the United States.
This organization’s membership will include Law Enforcement (active and retired, federal, state, and local, professional and volunteer, civilian support staff), Corrections (active and retired, federal, state, and local), Communications (active and retired for emergency services), Firefighters (active and retired, professional and volunteer), Emergency Medical Services (active and retired), all branches of the U.S. military.
Membership will be kept confidential as many members are military and most of the states in the region have no laws protecting employment. Alabama LEGAL has operated under this policy for three years with no problems. This organization will do the same.
The purpose of the organization will be strictly social in nature. Yearly events will be hosted throughout the South for the purpose of networking and socializing with likeminded individuals who enjoy the same career that you do. In the past, these organizations were generaly exclusive to law enforcement. Along came Protect and Defend (www.protectanddefend.org ). This organization brought together men and women from all fields of public safety and the armed forces. PAD has hosted numerous events on the West Coast. These gatherings were not conferences but well organized social events. Alabama LEGAL contacted PAD and asked for advice. PAD seemed thrilled at the notion and offered the idea of becoming the Southern Chapter of Protect and Defend.
When Alabama LEGAL held its anual beach party in August we invited Georgia LEGAL (who had already voted to allow military in its ranks) and various members of law enforcement from other states. Those in attendance were in favor of forming the group. The consensus has been to form the southern chapter of PAD. While everyone was in favor of PAD, there were several questions as to what would be required of us as a chapter of a larger organization.
The group decided to host an event in New Orleans, LA to put it to a vote (or maybe it was just an excuse to go to New Orleans). Alabama LEGAL will host the meeting with the assistance of our new friends in Louisiana. Thanks to the help of our gracious friend in New Orleans, here is the schedule;
November 13, 2008 Thursday
Arrival Date;
There will be a hospitality suite set up at the host hotel during the evening. Maps will be provided to many of the city’s attractions including the gay bars and restaurants. Shuttles to the bars won’t be necessary as the host hotel is in the French Quarter. Everything is in walking distance.
We are attempting to set up transportation for those who will be arriving from the airport. If that is the way you plan to travel then let us know when and where you will be arriving.
November 14, 2008 Friday
During the day those attending are encouraged to check out the city. It has a unique history and it is definitely tourist friendly.
Later that night we will meet at one of the bars (location TBA) for a private party. After about 10 p.m. or so the party will open to the rest of the patrons.
November 15, 2008 Saturday
3:00 p.m. Alabama LEGAL will host the meeting to discuss and vote on forming the Southern Chapter of Protect and Defend. This meeting will take place in the conference room of the host hotel. Representatives of PAD will be in attendance and will give a presentation which should answer most of the questions that have been asked so far.
After the meeting there will be a riverboat cruise through New Orleans on the Mississippi River. This will last a little more than two hours and will include a meal. The cost is about $50 a person but we are seeking sponsors to eliminate the cost to our members.
Afterwards we will go to another bar (location TBA)
November 16, 2008 Sunday
10:30 a.m. Goodbye Breakfast.
Host Hotel;
The Iberville Suites (New Orleans, LA)
www.ibervillesuites.com
The nights that have been blocked of for the group are November 13-16. There were a few who planned to stay Sunday night as well. The discounted rate is $99 a night. For reservations contact;
Kerrison Hawkins
504-670-2937
or email at kerrison.hawks@ritzcarlton.com
or
Amy Odinet
504-670-2837
or email at amy.odinet@ritzcarlton.com
The group rate and blocked rooms are under the name Protect and Defend.
If you plan to attend this event and become a part of our growing group then please send me an email. I will need to know our numbers for the establishments to prepare for us. As always, you are allowed to bring a guest with you that does not fit our membership requirements (spouses, partners, close friends, whatever you call them)
Hope to see you there,
Jason W
This is an awesome video clip sent to me by my great friend Ben. In my mind, Matthew Mitcham role models how to be out and proud without an ounce of arrogance. He is totally transparent and doesn’t hide who he is. Check this out.
This podcast contains a book review of “The Advocate College Guide For LGBT Students” and the last in a 3-part series on coming out at work. In this final piece, I talk about an email exchange between my good friend Mike and one of his own straight friends. Mike offers a great perspective on the “formal coming out” process and demonstrates the kind of attitude about being gay in law enforcement that I wish we all had. Wouldn’t it be great if on National Coming Out Day, this October 11th, no one needed to come out… because they already are?
The links mentioned in this podcast include:
www.campuspride.org
www.campusclimateindex.org
www.nvccjtc.org/text/Annoc - Hate Crimes Investigation Online2009.pdf
