Change is up to you
Letter to the editor, Bay Windows | February 2, 2006
To the Editor:
Having read last week’s article on MassEquality’s lobbying strategy (see “Counting Heads,” Jan. 26), which dealt with the need for a strong lobby effort leading up to the ConCon in May, I am concerned that the GLBT community does not clearly understand its role in all of this. I mean you and I as average people, not MassEquality or the Massachusetts Lesbian and Gay Political Caucus.
The answer to Ethan Jacobs’s question as to whether or not the legislative lobbying strategy is sufficient to defeat the anti-gay amendment in May would not be “ a resounding maybe,” as he reported, if we, the average members of the gay community, our families, friends and allied supporters of equality stopped relying solely on our lobbyists and MassEquality to do all the work for us. It is time to be proactive with these Legislators beyond writing checks to the gay lobby and “postcarding.”
It is important to remember that we are approaching an election year this Fall. Your state senators and representatives will be out in the public eye, attending pancake breakfasts, marching in Fourth of July parades, giving speeches at Memorial Day services and attaching themselves to local philanthropic/high profile events These appearances are an essential part of these candidates’ election success.
Does your state Legislator truly represent all of his or her constituents? Does your state Legislator represent you? I suggest you find out and quickly. If your Legislator voted against your equal rights, then it is time to let him or her know. If you don’t know how he or she will vote on this anti-gay ballot initiative on May 10, it is time to ask. Show up at these events where your Legislator will be and politely yet publicly ask the question, tell your stories, bring your family and friends. I know I will be doing just that.
We are facing the most important issue of our lifetime as GLBT Americans. This is not about marriage, it never has been. This is about equal rights, yours and mine. Let’s not forget that the Goodridge decision did not “win” us anything in Massachusetts. What Mary Bonauto and GLAD did, so wisely, was to “uncover” the fact that our state constitution protects everyone. Maybe it was because of so many years and so many generations of being told that we aren’t good enough to warrant “that” sort of inclusion that we find it difficult now to fight for it when it is about to be taken away. Let us all take control of our destiny. Open up the dialogue with friends, family, co-workers and neighbors. Do not tolerate a state representative or senator who would give you second class status. Be angry, you have the right to be. And above all let us all stop looking to others to do it for us.
Tom Lang,
Director, KnowThyNeighbor.org
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