Making the change real

[Guest guest]

Dear friends,Today is a wonderful day in the history of America and the world. We have elected a President who may change the face of world politics for the better. The spirit of hope, joy and unity is felt all around the globe.We have also had four major losses in terms of equal rights and protections for all human beings here in the United States. The states of Arizona, California and Florida have written discrimination into their constitutions in forbidding same-sex marriages. The state of Arkansas has added the level of legal discrimination by voting for a ban on adoptions by gay people. How could this happen in this day and age, and what can we do about it now?First, we must reach out to those who voted, or would have voted, for these discriminatory measures and help them see who we are. We have to let them get to know us..

Statistics are very clear that many people still today believe they don’t know any gay people. We must not be invisible and we must make it easier for those who are in the closet to come out—even if it means pushing them out—gently and with compassion!We must also be aware that just because someone voted differently than us, they are not a bad person. These are simply people who haven’t yet gotten to know us or who live in fear of change. That is the meaning of the word conservative—to resist change. It is an important and stabilizing force in society and we need it in order to make lasting progress. It is when we have won over the conservatives to our side that the battle is won—not when we have defeated the conservatives!Bearing this in mind, I ask that you reach out to every conservative person you know and tell them who you are, and who your gay, lesbian and transgender friends are. Let them see all the good and bad sides

of you while telling them how you feel by not having the same rights that they do and ask them to support you. Ask them to give you the same dignity and respect that they enjoy.I also ask that you remind your gay, lesbian, transgender and allied friends to do the same. We as a people have to make this change happen in society’s attitudes and general stance of the conservative population. And each one of us is needed to make this change.. Can we create enough change to reverse the ban in California already within two years? YES, WE CAN!Set the ball in motion today and come out to those who don’t know you are gay at work. Tell your cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and everyone else what your sexual orientation is. Make an effort to let them know how you feel. Forward this letter to your GLBT and allied friends. This must be a grass-roots movement and it begins with you and me.With much love and respect for all

humanity,Claes LiljaNovember 5, 2008Culver City, CA