My PoliticalLife
Prior to 1987 I can't say I had much of a gay
political life. I wasn't even a registered
voter here in the state of Massachusetts. I
did participate in gaypride every June but
only from the side lines. Personally I didn't
think that gay rights were all that important
to me. My life revolved around the party
scene in the gay clubs in Boston, P Town and
Providence, RI with an occasional trip to
NYC. I was having fun and to me that was all
that mattered. Boy was I wrong!!
In Oct. of 1987 I decided to attend the 2nd
march for GLBT rights in Washington, DC. I
and 3 friends packed up and headed to DC for
the week-end thinking it was just another
event on the party circuit. I never would
have guessed that it would change my life
forever. On Sun., the day of the march, as I
stood in back of the White House waiting to
join the march I was listening to the people
who were giving speeches. With each speech, I
became more enraged. The angrier I got the
more I knew I had to do something. For the
first time in my life I realized that I did
not have the same rights as every other
American and that I was being treated as if I
were less than a second class citizen by our
government. It was time to fight back!!!
Before I left DC I joined the National Gay and
Lesbian Task Force and the Human Rights
Campaign . Both of these organizations
have had a major impact on my life and I feel
I made the best decision in my life to join
them. Both keep me fully informed as to what
is happening around the world in connection
with the GLBT community. When I returned home
from DC I had a long talk with my family and
friends. I shared with them my emotions and
how I felt after returning from DC. I
convinced a few of them to join Parents,
Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
to assist me in my fight for GLBT rights.
The next day I went down to cityhall here in
Taunton and became a registered voter. I have
not missed an election since. If you don't
vote - DON'T COMPLAIN!!!
In Oct. of 1988 I again returned to
Washington, DC. This time I was there to take
part in a demonstration at the FDA. ACT UP,
joined by the national ACT NOW coalition
successfully closed down the FDA for the day.
There were many arrest, luckily I wasn't one
of them, but our goal was achieved. I will
give more info on this on my page 3.
In 1992 it was announced that there would be
another march on Washington, DC for GLBT
rights in April of 1993. My friend Lionel and
I packed our bags and headed back to DC. It
was the largest gathering of the GLBT
community
ever. There was not one hotel or motel room
to be found within 60 miles of DC. The MOW as
it was called, took place on April 25, 1993.
It was a history making event. The National
Park Service tried to under estimate the
crowd stating that there were only "750,000"
of us. Other sources estimate the crowd to be
between 1.5 and 2 million people. I was there
and can honestly say that the National Park
Service was wrong. Of all the people who
spoke that day one person touched my soul
like no other and she made me proud to be a
gay American. Her name was Urvashi Vaid . To
this day I still get inspired when I hear her
speak. Extensive television and newspaper
coverage made it the most widely publicized
march yet.
1994 brought us the 25th anniversary of the
Stonewall riots. For gay pride that year
there was no where else to be but in New York
City to celebrate where it all began. Once
again i draged my friend Lionel off on
another road trip...LOL...he loved it.
Stonewall 25 was the climacit finally to the
Gay Games which had been taking place in NYC
all that week. Stonewall 25 was an umbrella
of events celebrating the 25th anniversary of
the riots. It also marked the 30th
anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The June 26th international march on the
United Nations was the largest march for
human rights for GLBT people ever. There were
related events and happenings around the
world. What I and the world will never forget;
is seeing a mile long
rainbow flag carried through the streets
of NYC by thousands of GLBT people.
The last 5 years I have concentrated my
political life here in the state of
Massachussets. We have made tremendous gains
for the rights of the GLBT community.
Massachussetts is now a safer place for the
GLBT community, thanks to those of us who
believe in standing up and speaking out. We
have had a few disappointments along the way
but that is to be expected. Over the years I
have had numerous conversations with my state
and federal representatives seeking support
for legislation dealing with the GLBT
community. Here in Massachusetts we are lucky
to have the support of most of our
representatives. The future looks promising.
Groups I Belong To
Bay State Gay and Lesbian Democrats
Citizens Against Homophobia
Coaliton
for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights
L/G
Political Alliance of Mass.
Mass. Gay
and Lesbian Political Caucus
Groups I Support
Community Rainbow
Freedom to
Marry Boston
Lesbian and Gay Council,
The Rainbow Coalition
What are my plans for the future?? The
Mellennium March on Washington, DC April
30th, 2000. Hope to see you there. What is my
dream for the future?? I don't know. I guess
I am like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, off to
see the wizard to see what
he has to offer. I hope some day to see an
America where the pledge of allegiance really
means something. Where there is justice and
liberty for all of us. Where we can all live
side by side, human to human, in peace. Do I
ask for too much?? I hope not.
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