A Party of Equality and Dignity
It wasn’t long ago that Stonewall ignited what many believe is the first major protest on behalf of equal rights for the LGBTQ community. Followed by several days of demonstrations in New York, Stonewall became the driving force in the formation of the Gay Liberation Front as well as other gay, lesbian, and bisexual civil rights organizations.
Fast forward to today — Senator Tammy Baldwin touched on the strides that the LGBTQ community has been able to make in the last several years with the Obama Administration. From repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell to passing marriage equality legislation in several states to having more LGBTQ members as political appointees — the community has had several big wins.
“So far we have travelled, yet so far we have yet to go.” — U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin
Despite these huge steps forward, with recent horrific events—like what transpired at Pulse in Orlando—and discriminatory legislations like HB2 in North Carolina, we’ve seen the fight is far from over. There is still more that needs to be done to ensure and protect the civil rights of all. As Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, “It’s about equality. It’s about dignity.”
Your ripples have impact, Sen. Baldwin said. And as more and more LGBTQ members are courageously coming out, using their voices, and being leaders for others, the opportunities to change the conversation and be at the table are growing exponentially. It’s changing the conversation from being talked about, to being talked with.
At her Geneva speech in 2011, Hillary said:
“Gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights.”
With Hillary, the LGBTQ community will have an ally in the White House—a President who will ensure equality and dignity for all. A person who knows heavily that her ripples have significant impact.
’Til the last time.
— Edil Mari
