The following landed in my inbox from an activist friend of mine in Seattle, Stuart Wilber. I thought I would share it with you.
I listened today to Solicitor General Kagan’s statement this afternoon. She movingly quoted the words that are etched in marble above the entrance to the Supreme Court, ”Equal Justice Under Law”. And I said to John, my husband when we visit Canada; my partner if we don’t venture in the wrong direction from the State of Washington,- in Oregon we’re recognized, in Idaho, we’re not. I asked, “Where is our equal justice under the law?” “When do we see GLBT people treated equally under the law?”
In about 2 years, we will undoubtedly see Perry v. Schwarzenegger go before the Supreme Court. I propose we consider possible, dignified actions both locally and in DC that will pose that question to the Justices and all Americans, “Where is our equal justice under the law?” Be they rolling hunger fasts, non violent sit-ins or creative actions that our diverse community conceives; the question needs to be asked continually and with coordinated NVCD actions across our country, “When will we have equal justice under the law?
I don’t suggest we wait two years to take action to demand our equal rights, but I think we need to start planning coordinated actions both in response to and in anticipation of issues. Exodus held its 35th Anniversary celebration in Orange County and the protests went virtually unnoticed. Yesterday, tens of thousands of people came out to Pride events in Seattle, but a few weeks ago we couldn’t muster ten dozen to protest DADT. There must be a way to motivate those tens of thousands.
Saturday and Sunday I posted a request on many of your FB walls; I also mentioned the idea to the list-serve: As we are planning direct actions, please remember one of the most powerful is to reinforce good behavior with a thank you. I’d like to suggest that every activist organization set up a ‘good cop squad’ of letter writers to thank those who advocate on our behalf. Sometimes in our anger and impatience we forget to take this gentle direct action, especially with our straight allies and advocates many of whom risk their careers on our behalf. A few sent e-mails; almost none re-posted. Here in Seattle the rainbow flag is flying over the space needle for the first time in history. Let’s make sure it flies there next year. Please it’s so easy, just a thank you. Here’s one to start with:[email protected].
