Have you got your hate on?

So Fred Phelps has been talking about coming to Colorado (again) and it's really got me thinking about the nature of hatred. I remember the first time I heard about Fred. I was a young, recently out, lesbian, living in Provo, Utah. Matthew Shephard had just been murdered. The visual imagery of his beaten body was all over the (relatively new) internet and it was incredibly disturbing. When my cadre of friends in our underground world of lesbianism in Happy Valley heard that a man was going to carry vicsious and cruel signs to the funeral of this man, we were incensed. We were enraged. We were engaged. We talked about driving out to Laramie to be part of the counter protest. We couldn't believe anyone could be that heartless.

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago -- I was privileged to attend a screening of Anyone and Everyone in Lafayette that Boulder Pride had co-sponsored. The film is a documentary about families who have had a child come out and how they have responded and what it has meant. It was incredibly moving (see the trailer below). One mother talked about the great commandment, to love one another, and how we must choose to love our families and our children in these moments. It was profound. I was touched. I was moved. I was engaged.

I know it's been said to the point of sounding cliche. And I don't mean to diminish the work we need to do or the hurtful result Fred has. But let's realize it's the last gasp of a clearly wounded and poorly functioning being. And I think, in the end, love will win. And when we respond with love to these hateful messages. When we use these opportunities to feed our communities with positive service and experiences, we win. They cannot stand against the strength of love, unless we let them. Unless we give them power by engaging with their hateful behavior.

The Anti-Defamation League has published a Community Advisory with some suggestions on how best  to respond to this group. They also have a published background that is very informative.

Allies Speak Out - Community Forum to Discuss Sacred Heart

Monday, March 15 @ 5pm at the Boulder Public Library

March 10, 2010

Dear Concerned Community Members:

You have responded and the country is noticing.

As first reported by 9News in Denver last week and now covered by news outlets internationally, Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Boulder has refused to re-enroll a preschooler because the preschooler has two moms.

The story has been featured on CNN, World News with Diane Sawyer , The Huffington Post, and many others.

Since the news broke, Boulder Pride, Boulder County's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied Community Center, has received many calls and emails from concerned community members. This situation has served as a wake up call to the entire Boulder County community.

Many of the emails and calls have been from current and former Catholics who are straight allies to the LGBT community. They have let us know that they disagree with the Archdioceses and school's decision. Additionally, we have heard from many straight allied parents, who have also been angered and saddened by the school's decision.

Through our words and actions, the Boulder County community has demonstrated that singling out a child simply for who that child's parents are will not go unchallenged.

Please join us on Monday, March 15 from 5 to 6:30pm at the Boulder Public Library (1001 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder) in the Boulder Creek Room for a Community Forum.  The Forum will provide a respectful, peaceful space for concerned community members to connect, mobilize and organize further Action Steps.

In addition to a panel discussion, there will be time for audience questions and discussion. The event will be organized by staff and board members of Boulder Pride.

Confirmed Panelists include:

Cecilia Wilson: A devoted Catholic who remains committed to her Church, religion and beliefs, who at times disagrees with the leadership of the church, including on this issue.

Jean Hodges: President, Boulder Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)

Jim Vacca: A straight ally and former Catholic Seminarian who taught at Sacred Heart in the 70's, and now teaches at Boulder High.  Jim is planning a community response to the Sacred Heart decision for March 28th.

Kimberly Rose: Facilitator of the Reconciling Faith group through Boulder Pride.  Kimberly spent many years in the evangelical church until she had to chose between ordination in the church and being true to herself by coming out.

Mindy Barton: Legal Director, GLBT Community of Colorado 

A Student Representative from the Iliff School of Theology who organized a protest in front of the offices of the Archdiocese of Denver on Tuesday March 9th.

and others...

We look forward to seeing you at Monday night's forum...and please bring a friend.  Also, we want to thank the community for the important dialogue and work that is happening in the wake of this situation. It is powerful to see our diverse Boulder County community mobilized for Action. We again wanted to share some Action Steps that you can take. Based on your suggestions, we have added some new Action Steps as well as reiterated the steps we suggestioned last week.

Consider posting this information to your Facebook or MySpace page. Consider blogging about it. Please join Boulder Pride's Facebook page.

We encourage you to continue to write Letters to the Editor of the Daily Camera (openforum@dailycamera.com). To read examples of letters printed about the situation.  Also, please respond to the Camera's Virtual Editorial Board about Sacred Heart... 

We encourage you to continue to contact Sacred Heart School and Denver Archdiocese directly with your thoughts (see below for contact information).  If you are comfortable doing so, we encourage you to request an in-person meeting to discuss the matter.

Show up in response to this situation in peaceful, open ways. For example, you may consider attending 10am Mass (Sunday, March 14) at Sacred Heart  Church (1317 Mapleton Ave in Boulder). If you do go, we encourage you to attend peacefully to listen, learn and to serve as a reminder to the church that "We are here and these policies and decisions have real impact."   If you attend, be sure to introduce yourself as a visitor to others.

We encourage you to volunteer with Boulder Pride's program, "SpeakingOUT."  SpeakingOUT provides panels of 'out' LGBTQ and Allied people who share their experiences and stories with audiences that include middle and high school classes, college classes and businesses.  As a result of the Sacred Heart decision, Boulder Pride/SpeakingOUT will begin actively reaching out and offering our SpeakingOUT panels to spiritual/religious organizations in Boulder County.  The next free SpeakingOUT training is on March 16 from 5:30 to 8pm. Sandwiches will be provided. For more information (including location) and to RSVP, please email cathy@boulderpride.org.  We welcome straight allies as SpeakingOUT members - you have a coming out story, as well, on why you advocate for LGBTQ rights.

Please continuing forwarding this email to five other people.  The more people we reach, the more powerfully mobilized we are as a community. Please encourage your contacts to join Boulder Pride's email list.  We have added 50 new subscribers this week!

Finally, please consider donating to Boulder Pride. As a grassroots non-profit, Boulder Pride relies on community donations to do this vital work. During the next month, every dollar up to $2,000 we raise will generously be matched by the Gill Foundation. Please click here to make a donation.

We look forward to seeing you (and a friend) on Monday!

Yours in Community,

Dave Ensign, Board President         (dave@boulderpride.org)

Aicila Lewis, Executive Director         (alewis@boulderpride.org)

Cathy Busha, Program Director         (cathy@boulderpride.org)

Boulder Pride

Contact Information:

Sacred Heart of Jesus School

1318 Mapleton Ave

Boulder, CO   80304

(303) 443-0684

breslinw@shjboulder.org

Archdiocese of Denver

1300 South Steele Street

Denver, CO   80210

303-722-4687

info@archden.org

Update on Sacred Heart Preschool Situation

Dear Concerned Community Members:

As you may know, as first reported by 9News in Denver and now covered by over 300 newspapers internationally, Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Boulder has refused to readmit a preschooler because the preschooler has two moms.  It is important to note that the media was tipped off by teachers at Sacred Heart School, who disagree with the Denver Catholic Dioceses decision.  We thank these teachers for their courage.

Last night, in conjunction with Wesley Chapel, Boulder Pride held a community forum about the situation, to provide people a space to talk about their feelings and plan action going forward. We have heard loud and clear from the LGBTQ community, as well as from Allies, that this situation has stirred feelings of anger, pain and frustration.

Based on our meeting last night, we wanted to share some Action Steps that you can take:

·        ---->Like the Sacred Heart teachers who called the media, we recognize that many Catholics are also struggling with the decision to not readmit the preschooler. Rather than further polarize communities or condemn individuals, we encourage LGBTQ people to offer patience, compassion and careful listening to Catholics who are struggling.

--->Show up in response to this situation in peaceful, open ways. For example, you may consider attending 10am Mass tomorrow  (Sunday, March 7) at Sacred Heart  Church (1317 Mapleton Ave in Boulder). If you do go, we encourage you to attend peacefully to listen, learn and to serve as a reminder to the church that “We are here and these policies and decisions have real impact.”   If you attend, be sure to introduce yourself as a visitor to others.

·         --->We recognize that many members of the LGBTQ have experienced what Soulforce calls spiritual violence at the hands of organized religions. No doubt this situation may be triggering feelings of pain and anger.  There is a Boulder Pride-affiliated group called “Reconciling Faith” who meets twice a month. Reconciling Faith provides a space for LGBTQ and Allied people to talk about spirituality and religion. You can join their Facebook group for more information: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/group.php?gid=263614230188&ref=ts

·       --->We encourage you to write Letters to the Editor of the Daily Camera about the decision openforum@dailycamera.com.  Letters to the Editor remain one of the most widely read sections of the paper.

·       --->We encourage you to contact Sacred Heart School and Denver Archdiocese directly with your thoughts (see below for contact information).  If you are comfortable doing so, we encourage you to request an in-person meeting to discuss the matter.

·        --->We encourage you to volunteer with Boulder Pride’s program, “SpeakingOUT.”  SpeakingOUT provides panels of ‘out’ LGBTQ and Allied people who share their experiences and stories with audiences that include middle and high school classes, college classes and businesses.  As a result of the Sacred Heart decision, Boulder Pride/SpeakingOUT will begin actively reaching out and offering our SpeakingOUT panels to spiritual/religious organizations in Boulder County.  The next free SpeakingOUT training is on March 16 from 5:30 to 8pm. Sandwiches will be provided. For more information (including location) and to RSVP, please email cathy@boulderpride.org.  We welcome straight allies as SpeakingOUT members – you have a coming out story, as well, on why you advocate for LGBTQ rights.

·        --->Consider Coming Out. This suggestion perhaps sounds passé, but it really is the single most important act you can do. When people know LGBTQ people, it makes real polarized political and religious discussions. The simple act of coming out transforms hearts and minds. Even if you are super-out, think about sending a coming out email to a person who may not know…or someone in your past (perhaps the church you grew up in or your preschool teacher J  )

-->Please consider forwarding this to five other people.  The more people we reach, the more powerfully mobilized we are as a community. Please encourage your contacts to join Boulder Pride's email list. 

·    ---> Finally, please consider donating to Boulder Pride. As a grassroots non-profit, Boulder Pride relies on community donations to do this vital work. During the next month, every dollar up to $2,000 we raise will generously be matched by the Gill Foundation. To make a donation: http://boulderpride.org/bp/support/donate.html

We welcome your ideas and suggestions, as well.  Please feel free to contact us.

While this situation has been incredibly difficult and reminded us all of vital work that remains to be done, it also has highlighted our strengths as a community. We are grateful to live in Boulder County with engaged, passionate community members like you.  Thank you.

In Solidarity,

Dave Ensign, Board President         (dave@boulderpride.org)

Aicila Lewis, Executive Director         (alewis@boulderpride.org)

Cathy Busha, Program Director         (cathy@boulderpride.org)

Boulder Pride

Contac t Information

Sacred Heart of Jesus School:
1318 Mapleton Ave
Boulder, CO   80304
(303) 443-0684 bartschm@shjboulder.org

Archdiocese of Denver:
1300 South Steele Street
Denver, CO   80210
303-722-4687 info@archden.org

No Place for Hate.

I am shocked by the decision to remove signs promoting a more tolerant (and learning focused) environment. I am proud beyond believe of the stance that ADL has taken. It is when we compromise, when we say "it's okay to leave one group behind" that we are weakened in our fight for equality. Thank you, ADL. When we stand together, we are stronger, in every way.

****************************


Anti-Defamation League Withdraws Anti-Bias Program in Platte County School District

Reaction to District’s Decision to Prohibit Banners with Gay and Lesbian Fund Logo

            Denver, January 22, 2010….After the Platte County School Board decided this week that two district schools could not display banners earned through participation in the Anti-Defamation League’s No Place for Hate® program because the banners contained the name of the Gay and Lesbian Fund of Colorado, one of the program sponsors, the Anti-Defamation League stopped the program in the District.

            In a letter today to Platte County School Board members, ADL Mountain States Regional Director Bruce H. DeBoskey said:

We write to express our outrage and dismay that your School Board voted to ban the display of No Place for Hate® banners at West Elementary School and Wheatland High School because they include the logo of the Gay and Lesbian Fund for Colorado, a major sponsor of this free program. As a result of your decision, we are compelled to withdraw the No Place for Hate® program from the schools in your District.

The No Place for Hate program is designed to teach young people the values of respect and inclusion for everyone in the school community, and we cannot continue to offer the program in your District if you will not permit the display of a banner (hard-earned by many dedicated students, teachers, and community members) that includes the words “gay and lesbian.” To continue our program in light of your decision would be the height of hypocrisy, turning a blind eye to intolerance and repudiating the principles of inclusivity and respect that our program teaches.

The No Place for Hate® program has been embraced by dozens of schools in Colorado and Wyoming as a successful way to make schools safer and more inclusive, by providing anti- bullying training and promoting respect for all students. At schools where this program has been implemented, attendance is up and disciplinary actions are down. Students have reported that they feel safer and more welcome at school because the students, teachers and community have worked together to make their schools respectful, and inclusive. The safer schools are, the more students will attend, and the more opportunities they will have to learn. It is a shame that your decision will impede the important progress that has already been made on these important issues.

As you heard at the School Board meeting on January 18, this program has been in effect for over a year at one of your schools and for several months at the other school. The Wheatland students who have participated have enthusiastically supported it, believe they have benefited from it, and want it to continue. It saddens us greatly that your decision will send a message to these students that adults in Platte County openly endorse bigotry against the gay and lesbian members of your community.

If you should change your position at any time and permit the banner to be displayed as designed, we would be happy to return our program to your schools. Unless and until your position changes, however, we must reluctantly and immediately end the No Place for Hate® program at West Elementary and Wheatland High School.





The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.

Human rights for all!

Boulder Pride's Board President David Ensign and Board Member Jackson Dreiling add their voices for Human Rights at the MLK rally in Boulder today.

I attended the Human Rights Celebration with my family and it was a wonderful experience! A few of the youth speakers did slam poetry and it was inspirational. We then walked as a group from the Courthouse to Boulder High where the fair was to occur. On the way, we passed by areas where hate crimes had occurred, with a youth standing to indicate the nature of the crime (anti-black hate crime happened here. anti-gay hate crime happened here. anti- hispanic hate crime happened here.) It was very moving. There were workshops, great food, and activities for teens and youngsters to participate in. There were also several tables from different groups in Boulder County working to end inequality and promote a better future for all.

It made me proud to be part of this community and part of this work!

SpeakingOUT training, TONIGHT!

We are holding our first fall training for SpeakingOUT tonight. I hope you will consider joining us and being part of our program.

Yesterday, I went to a local middle school to speak with a classroom of 8th graders, as part of SpeakingOUT. More than 2/3rds of the students in the classroom indicated they would change their behaviour because of the stories they heard. One of the students in the class bravely spoke up, hand shaking, to talk about her two moms. Another student wanted to know how to be ally.

SpeakingOUT is a way to make a difference in the community, one person at a time, and can take as little as an hour once or twice a year. Your story could be the one a student needs to hear to feel the strength to go on. It could be the reason a student changes the way they treat a fellow student.

I hope you will join us tonight at the First United Methodist Church at Spruce and 14th from 6-8pm.

If you can't be part of the program by speaking, even a $5 donation can help us keep this program strong!

Make difference with your time!

Pride is this weekend and we have some great opportunities for you to be part of making a difference in Colorado, with us!

Trust.

I don't know much about how Washington politics works, so I can't say if I really understand how things get done in that far away land. But I do understand why the queer community has concerns about where things are going with the current administration. We, as a community, put a lot of effort into the recent election cycle. And, just like anyone who has baggage from previous relationships, we've got our memories of the last Democratic President. Who we believed in and who we believe failed us. And we've got our memories of the ENDA fiasco, and who we thought was on our side. And who we saw leave part of our community behind. So with our tentative hope and our worry that it's misplaced, interviews like the below aren't too helpful.



There is a follow up to the story on the Gist with the following update:

UPDATE: Senator Schumer's office has put out a statement refuting the Daily Beast story: "Sen. Schumer has never said the White House didn't consider the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' a priority, and he never said the Human Rights Campaign struck some quote-unquote deal on this issue. Any rumors to the contrary are flat-out wrong." Jason Bellini had tried to get a response from Schumer's office when he produced his piece, but they offered no comment at the time.

My Pride Month Essay

Every year, as we dive into Pride Month, I have to reflect on what, exactly, are we proud of? I can't say what everyone is proud of, but I can tell you a few things I am proud of.

I am proud of how far our community has come. Corporations market to us; our national organizations are participating in federal conversations at the white house; we are organizing ourselves more and more effectively to create a world where we are recognized as equal participants in society. There are more services for our communities and our youth. Still too few, but more than there were 20 or 30 years ago.

I am proud of all of us who have survived coming out. I came out a few times, in different ways, and it was heart wrenching to lose friends and family because my way of loving and being was too different for them to understand or accept. Every time each one of us does this, we humanize our community and our experiences. We are making profound changes in the world by living honestly. That is powerful, unstoppable, and absolutely something to be proud of.

I am proud of the ways in which we have eaten our words and backed up when we have made mistakes. I am sure we will have to do it again, but it means something that we are really stopping to recognize that queer doesn't just mean the most mainstream parts of our community. And that to connect to a broader representation of who we are, we need to start thinking about the inclusive nature of social justice. Organizations like the Task Force really lead the way with their focus on inclusion.

I am proud of the way we keep going, even when things are difficult. My favorite saying: fall down 6 times, get up 7, really applies to our community. So many of us have experienced incredible losses and defeats in this journey of change and hope. Activists who have worked for decades who are still working to make this world into something a little better for us all. In 1992, Hawaii was one of the first states to pass an anti-marriage act, inappropriately named DOMA. Now Iowa has marriage equality. The tide will roll in and we will get up as many times as we need to.

Come celebrate your pride at any one of the many events happening in Boulder and Denver this month. And tell me why you are proud.

Why Pass a Hate Crimes Act?

Plans for Easter? I won't ask, don't tell...

The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is working on ending the ever so popular "Don't Ask Don't Tell" military ban and has a plan to contact your federally appointed lawmakers and ask them to repeal the ban  over the Easter break. Like marriage, military service is a difficult issue in the queer community. There are entire voting blocks of queers that really don't want to serve in the military and have strong issues with what our military has been doing in our name. I might be one of them ...

But that said, for those of our queer community members that feel a strong desire to serve our country in this way, they should have the choice of doing so as whole people. Their wives and husbands should have equal access to the support services the military provides to its people. Their families should be recognized for the support and sacrifices they make. It is criminal to ask someone to serve and then not acknowledge the cost that has on their loved ones.

So, help the SLDN out. Or at least pass it on.

Square Peg, Round Hole.

We hold these truths to be self- evident, that all men are created equal.

"The age of identity politics is dead," at least according to a cadre of activists recently gathered here in Denver. They might be right. We needed to be identity focused for a time. I went to college at a time when english teachers were still arguing over the inclusive nature of the word men. Sentences like like "all men should breastfeed their babies" brought to the light uncomfortable reality that while we wanted "mankind" to mean everyone, it left a lot of people out of the equation. So we started breaking it up, nationally and even in our subcultures!.

In the 70s it was "gay" culture. Now we have an alphabet soup (LGBTIQAGNCPP are all letters I have heard used and I bet there are more) trying to encompass the fullness of our community. The challenge is that people are not static. And as we change, grow, and discover, the movement we are trying to build must change and grow with us. Queer groups across the country are recognizing that to truly reach our people, we must engage more than just the queer identity of our community members. 

Mankind is not inclusive enough. Neither is fighting for simply "queer" rights. Many of us see our queer self as an important part of us, but it's not the whole package. The power and the challenge of queer organizing is that we span the entire spectrum. There is no factor to determine queerness, beyond who we love, so race, religion, body size, socio-economic status, national origin ... the list of communities we represent is truly staggering, including straight people, because our allies need to be counted. 

We needed to name ourselves. We needed to claim our individual identities and experiences. And I still think we do. I use queer because it's a simple word that covers the complexity of my experiences. But now that we have found a way to be individual and separate, we need to find a way to come together. Not to sanitize or overpower those identities, but to empower our movement to truly effect the changes that will guarantee equal rights, for everyone, even the identities we haven't found yet!

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that we are all created equal ...

İSi Se Puede!

Cesar Chavez has a compelling history of dedication and work to advance the condition of farm workers in America. Recently, Dolores Huerta, one of the original co-foundation of the United Farm Workers (UFW) spoke in Denver at Creating Change. The UFW has been fighting for equal rights for immigrant workers for over 40 years. What's even more interesting is that their fight for equality has also been consistently inclusive of the LGBT community. Equality is equality and they get it.


 You can learn more about this amazing organization at their website.   I think one of the stronger choices we have made as a movement is to start counting our allies and realizing that we truly are stronger, together.    

Uniting Families Act

The Uniting Families Act is a radical piece of legislation intended to allow fair immigration for same-sex couples. Read about the work they are doing on their website and get involved!


On March 16, the  Washington Post published a short article talking about this very issue:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/15/AR2009031501669.html
First Paragraph:
"THE UNITING American Families Act would allow gay and lesbian
Americans and permanent residents to sponsor their foreign-born
partners for legal residency in the United States. The bill,
introduced last month in the Senate by Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and in
the House by Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), would add "permanent partner"
and "permanent partnership" after the words "spouse" and "marriage" in
relevant sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act. If passed,
it would right a gross unfairness. "

Creating Change 2009

This is my third Creating Change conference, for which I feel very lucky and also a little disappointed. Lucky that I've been able to attend 3. Disappointed that I didn't understand what it was earlier in my life, so I could have attended more of them. Activists are often more hopeful than they have a right to be, especially given the last 8 years. But put us all in a room (or very large hotel) together and that hope blossoms into something magical.

I love the workshops and I usually learn things from the presenters. But the secret to enjoying the conference is really about the things that happen outside the workshops. The early morning coffee meet-ups where two acquaintances decide to make a difference, now, about an issue that matters. A new organization is suddenly born. The hallway conversations where those of who have worked in the field, up to our elbows in community drama and conservative opposition, finally comprehend we are not alone.

And the NGLTF is boots-on-the-ground organization. They truly try to be the change they want to see in the world. Just watching what they do gives me a better idea of what I could and should be doing in my own community to create a better world for all of us!

So, next year, attend the conference in Dallas, TX, you will be amazed!

Obama includes Task Force ED in Health Care Reform Conversation

“In the coming months, the macro themes and issues raised at the summit will work their way through to concrete policy and funding decisions that will affect the day-to-day lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.”
— Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
WASHINGTON, March 6 — National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey was among those participating in yesterday’s White House health-care reform summit convened by President Barack Obama.

Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

“The White House Forum on Health Reform was a powerful start to reforming health care and how our country views health generally. With Sen. Ted Kennedy in the room, people couldn’t help but be inspired to focus on solutions. In the coming months, the macro themes and issues raised at the summit will work their way through to concrete policy and funding decisions that will affect the day-to-day lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The Task Force will be working to make sure our needs, lives and families are not left behind. For example, how families are defined will be critical to ensuring full coverage of LGBT people, our partners/spouses and our children. The days when we must pay taxes on domestic partner health benefits must end.

Read the rest of the story here.

Thank you Sean Penn.

Milk was an incredible movie. But even more incredible is the way a major actor has embraced the cause of equality.

Sean Penn mentioned that protesters who lined the streets of Hollywood near the Oscar festivities were holding anti-gay signs.

When introducing, Sean Penn, Robert De Niro said, "How did he do it? How for so many years did he get all those jobs playing straight men?"

Sean Penn, upon accepting the Best Actor Academy Award for his portrayal of the slain San Francisco Supervisor and gay rights leader Harvey Milk, "I think it's a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect on their great shame and their shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that support.
We've got to have equal rights for everyone."

Backstage, when asked what Penn would tell those protesters if he could, he answered, "I'd tell them to turn in their hate card and find their better self."

Prop 8: The Musical

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Rabble Rousing.

I'll be honest. I am done with people being brushed aside because they are different. I was so excited that Detre and the Bias Incident Hotline put together a rally tonight to protest the recent rash of hate crimes here in Boulder. I spoke on behalf of Boulder Pride. Because to be queer is to come from all communities. Queer people are poor and wealthy. Queer people come from every race and religion. Queer people come from every geography. I spoke because I believe in the importance of unity.

There is a poem I am sure you have all heard, but I want to share it tonight.

When first they came for the criminals I did not speak

Then they began to take the Jews

When they fetched the people who were members of trade unions

I did not speak

When they took the bible students

Rounded up the homosexuals

Then they gathered up the immigrants and Gypsies

I did not speak

Eventually they came for me

And there was no one left to speak

I believe there is a power structure in America that fears the oppressed. I believe there are people who use our differences to divide us from one another, with the knowledge that if we stand together, we are unstoppable. I believe the recent hate crimes against minorites and women are expressions of that fear. And I believe that if we stand together and speak out, but also more importantly, act out, that we are unstoppable.

Tonight we marched and learned. But it cannot stop here. It cannot stop tonight. One night is not enough. You must do more than you think you are able. You must reach higher than you believe you can.  One step at a time, we will change the world we live in. Because together we are unstoppable. 

A Moment of Silence to Honor the Dead

We started as a movement when the leather and trans community decided they were done with being kicked around. Our community loses its history because of our unique nature. We aren't born into gay families with gay traditions. We are born into straight families, for the most part, with straight traditions, and then we swim upstream for at least some of our life, looking for our place of origin. Until we realize that our origin is distant and strange. We must balance within ourselves the dichotomy of our familial traditions and our cultural identity. Rarely do they overlap.

So our history began, when and where? We are unsure. But consistently we find a way to fit into the cultural norms and we distance ourselves from those who do not. Today is the transgender day of remembrance. A day to honor the struggles and pain of one part of our community, as it reflects the pain and struggles of our movement as a whole. 

There are gatherings in Fort Collins and Denver specifically meant to honor our trans community. In response to local hate crimes, the Bias Incident Hotline has organized a Journey into Justice and will honor the transgender community as part of their rally and protest.