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  I have been lied to. I have suffered from discrimination in my own community. The GLBT community. I have been told for years that the battle that was raging was one that could be won. That if I just made one more donation, attended one more dinner, one more event that we would be one step closer to full equality. I listened and followed the lead fuelled by hope and optimism. I lobbied, I have called. I volunteered countless hours until exhaustion for what seems like a Wizard of Oz dream of full equality. I am not a corporation. I am not an organization. I am just an out able bodied passionate crusader for social justice and glbtq equality. I don’t want to be pacified with stories of what could be one day or treated to another glossy handout with flashy marketing that makes it look like my rights are on their way. I want the truth, I want action and I will not wait anymore. I will not wait for the perfect season, the perfect fiscal calendar or election cycle. The time to wait is over. I have put countless miles on my shoes knocking on doors for equality only to get them shut in my face not only from the right but from the left as well. No one can tell me to wait, as the value of my life as an openly gay woman gets tossed around in board meetings, committees and used as a political bargaining chip. I am somebody and I choose to use my voice. I choose to be authentic in every way and I choose to stand up and demand full equality. I am somebody, Lt. Dan Choi and Capt. Jim Pietrangelo shouted this message over and over again on the White House fence. I am somebody, Kip Williams, C.D. Kirven and others shouted at the sit in at Speaker Nanci Pelosi’s office over ENDA. I am somebody, Autumn Sandeen echoed as a transgender service member speaking out for DADT while experiencing less than professional conditions by the D.C. park police. I am somebody, students Derrick Martin and Constance McMillen said as they were discriminated against by their peers, communities and schools. I am somebody, Robin McGehee shouted as a mother of two who was handcuffed and taken away for standing up those who could not. These are just some of the everyday people who are taking a stand saying they will not accept being second class citizens. The movement is moving forward and we need everyone’s support to create change. Now is the time to stand up for equality, now is the time to tell the world, I AM SOMEBODY. There is not one person, organization or cause that will get us to full equality alone. It will be the collective effort of all of us together with our ally members standing tall and proud. We can debate on when, why and how but the more we discuss the fine print the less of a change we are creating. Daily students are bullied, people are fired from their jobs, hate crimes happen, couples are denied recognition, a solider is discharged, bi-national couples spend another day apart while others struggle with coming out lose their life from the fear. The time is now. The time is today. Stand up. We are somebody. We deserve full equality now. The choice is yours. Will you chose to be a second class citizen or will you stand up and be heard?
Barney Franks most recent comments on ENDA are concerning. As a long time openly gay member of the House, it seems his he has lost touch with what is happening in the movement. To exclude gender identity expression to pass ENDA is not a concession the community is willing to make. What kind of statement is Barney Frank making to glbtq youth with rhetoric that undermines and devalues lives with flippant comments such as, “They can’t sit there with a full beard and a dress”. As an ally to the transgendered community, I will not sit by and watch pieces of protection for full equality be chipped away piece by piece. The comments on ENDA can affect much further then the transgendered community alone. If Barney Frank wants to make a binary gender identity requirement for passing ENDA it will affect anyone and everyone. What will be next, someone telling me I am fired because I am wearing a baseball hat and not keeping with my gender norms according to them? How about a male wearing a pink shirt? A girl with short hair? A boy with long hair? A girl wearing a tie? Or someone wearing a kilt as expression of heritage? Will the new “guidebook” for all employers to follow be under the latest Vogue magazine to help identify what is acceptable for male and females to look like for gender normalcy that season? Self expression is not something to be debated in congress. What I wear, who I love has nothing to do with my ability and skill set to perform a job to the highest degree. I have advocated and fought for an inclusive ENDA and I believe in equal protections for all. This is a jobs issue as is Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Everyday lives are on the line due to lack of protections in employment. People are struggling, families are struggling those that put their life on the line daily that fight for our country are struggling all losing jobs. If Barney Frank and those in congress really want to push a jobs bill then pass ENDA and End DADT now. Help put America back to work not only for a select few but for everyone by the end of the month. For the full story link below at Pam’s House Blend. http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/16086/rep-barney-frank-says-enda-will-win-in-the-house
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