“We do big things.”
Those four words toward the end of President Obama’s State of the Union typified for me not only the entire speech, but the promise of America. Make no mistake, the work of gaining LGBT equality is a big thing, both in terms of the obstacles we face and the importance of the rights we seek.
One year ago, just a few months after signing the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, President Obama said that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell would be repealed on his watch. Last month, I watched as he kept his promise and signed that repeal into law. Last night, he promised that within the year, troops will not have to make a choice between being honest about who they are or serving their country with honor and dignity. I have no doubt that he will keep that promise as well.
The Matthew Shepard Act and DADT repeal represent great progress for our community – as do the dozens of policies that this administration has put in place with LGBT Americans and our families in mind. It bears repeating that more pieces of LGBT-specific legislation have been signed by this president than any other president; more pro-LGBT policies have been implemented and more openly LGBT people have been appointed by this president than all other administrations combined.
Those are big things.
But, as the President also said last night, we should have no illusions about the work ahead. In many states, LGBT workplace discrimination is still commonplace. Those of us in couples, legally married or otherwise, are still kept from over 1100 benefits and responsibilities of marriage, which can leave children in a difficult legal limbo without two, lawfully recognized parents. And far too many of our young people are bullied to the point of suicide.
It’s a big hill to climb, and it will take big ideas and big action to reach that mountaintop. We must continue to be strategic, efficient and smart about our work together, as well as continue to be passionate, committed and unwavering in fighting for what is not a gift, but a birthright for all Americans: full equality.
The big work before us is not complex and it’s really not hard to figure out. We know what works. We have to be out, but not just out – we have to talk to our friends, families, coworkers and elected officials about our lives, our hopes, our dreams, and what is kept from us still in America. We have to roll up our sleeves and work to put more pro-equality women and men in Congress who will send pro-equality measures to the President’s desk for his signature.
As Stonewall Democrats, we need to continue to make the Democratic Party the very best it can be while we grow LGBT power and presence at every level of influence. We do that effectively in 3 ways:
1. Build our ranks. We simply cannot accomplish our goals without more people on the team. We need to grow our Stonewall family – the number of clubs, as well as the number of members in them – and build coalitions with allied individuals and groups to multiply our reach.
2. Increase our participation in every level of the party structure to promote LGBT equality, including ensuring that state and national party platforms include strong pro-equality planks.
3. Recruit, fund and elect pro-equality Democrats, including increasing the ranks of out, LGBT Democrats, to local, state and federal offices across the country.
These are big things.
Yes, as Americans, we do big things. That is the story of our great country. And it is the story of our community.
Let’s commit to do some big things together.
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