Prop 8 demands action

To the Editor:

I know that right now, many of you are still shocked, saddened and extremely angry about the passage of Proposition 8 in California - and let me tell you, so are we.

Losses on similar constitutional amendments in Arizona and Florida, and an adoption ban in Arkansas, are equally devastating. But we’re picking ourselves back up here at the Task Force, and we’re continuing the fight. And today I want to ask you to turn the anger you may feel at this moment into positive action.

Start by signing your name to our Anger into Action Declaration right now at www.thetaskforce.kintera.org/anger2action.

This declaration is about showing wide public support for the fundamental rights of LGBT people. The latest marriage amendments and adoption ban passed by our fellow citizens are built on lies and deception, and we can’t stand for it.

But we also refuse to fight lies with lies, or hate with hate. We will not give into our anger, and we will not unfairly lay blame for Prop. 8 passing Instead, we are committed to channeling our energies into bringing about more positive change. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again: We will not rest, we will not pause in our fight for equality. Join me in signing the Anger into Action Declaration today at www.thetaskforce.kintera.org/anger2action.

After you’ve signed, be sure to share with your friends and family, post to your Facebook page, and get the word out. Let us have one strong, undeterred voice declaring: “We will continue the fight for full equality, and we will turn our anger into action starting now.”

Over the last week, we’ve been hearing from people all over the country who are doing whatever they can to keep No on Prop. 8 alive and stand in solidarity with our movement.

After you sign the declaration, think about what you can be doing in your own life to keep the visibility high and voice your support for full equality. Here are a few examples of what people all around the country are doing to keep up the fight.

• Cathy and Ellen, married in California after the May 2008 Supreme Court ruling, are attending a rally and march tonight, protesting discrimination being written into our state constitutions.
• Madeline in New York is keeping her “No on 8” button up on her Facebook profile, in solidarity with her Californian friends and family.
• A straight ally wrote us a moving e-mail, letting us know he and his wife just donated $100 in honor of their six-month-old son - in hopes that, regardless of his sexual orientation, their child would grow up with the opportunity to share his life with the partner of his choice.
• Brian is writing a letter to the editor of his local newspaper in Florida, sharing his views on how discrimination persists, even in light of the progress his state saw in the presidential election.

There is no action too small, and every action - symbolic or more tangible - makes a difference.

I am so proud, despite our losses, of our efforts this election season and continue to be moved by the outpouring of support from our community and our allies. We’ve called on you, our most loyal supporters, time and time again - to give, to knock on doors, to make phone calls, and to do everything you could to make sure that LGBT people are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to equality, and thank you for taking action by adding your name to our Anger into Action Declaration today.

The grassroots protests that are popping up all over California and around the country are the first taste of activism for many LGBT people and our allies. If the injustice of writing discrimination into state constitutions has spurred you into advocacy - or if you want to ratchet up your skills - I hope you’ll consider signing up for our National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change that starts on Jan. 28 in Denver. For more information, visit www.thetaskforce.org/events/creating_change.

- REA CAREY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN TASK FORCE ACTION FUND