30 years later

I encourage everyone to read this article by Dustin Lance Black as he reflects on Harvey Milk, 30 years later.

"Somewhere in Des Moines or San Antonio, there is a young gay person who all of a sudden realizes that she or he is gay. Knows that if the parents find out they’ll be tossed out of the house. The classmates will taunt the child and the Anita Bryants and John Briggs are doing their bit on TV, and that child has several options: staying in the closet, suicide. . . and then one day that child might open up the paper and it says, “homosexual elected in San Francisco,” and there are two new options. One option is to go to California. . . OR stay in San Antonio and fight. You’ve got to elect gay people so that that young child and the thousands upon thousands like that child know that there’s hope for a better world. There’s hope for a better tomorrow."
Harvey Milk in a speech delivered on June 9, 1978

All of us here in the queerosphere should be concerned about equality - even for those of us who are living by LDS church standards and not engaged in gay relationships. The fight for equality doesn't just apply for those who are sexually active. Equality should not be based on who we may or may not be sharing our bedroom with.

• You will be considered inferior and damaged - for simply being a homosexual
  

• There are states where it is still legal to fire someone - for simply being a homosexual
  

• you can be kicked out of the military - for simply being a homosexual
  

• You can be refused the opportunity to serve in the boy scouts and other organizations - for simply being a homosexual
  

• Many people will look on you with suspicion - for simply being a homosexual
  

• Your family may be shamed and/or pitied - for simply having a homosexual