Where We Stand

December 9, 2004

DignityUSA

Note: The following letter was sent today to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. SenateDecember 9 2004Dear Member of Congress (or Senator) ___________:First know that we appreciate and value the thoughtful and visionary leadership so many of you have provided. As a community we are proud to have allies in both parties.There has been much speculation over the last month about the meaning of the results of the last election and its impact on the future of American politics. Some have even suggested that same-sex marriage was a major factor in the outcome. Upon reflection thoughtful analysts have come to dismiss that notion and realize that terrorism and the War in Iraq were uppermost on people's minds.The powerful and revealing fact is that that over 60% of voters in November 2 exit polls said they supported either marriage or civil unions for gay and lesbian couples. What remarkable progress we have made over these last years.The New York Times today reported that some in the LGBT community are ready to pull back on our struggle for freedom to make everyone more comfortable politically or willing to bargain away the rights of others to make a deal for themselves. Specifically the notion was advanced that we could make gains at the expense of senior citizens by privatizing Social Security.For our part we want to be absolutely clear and on the record: We specifically reject any attempts to trade equal rights for lesbian gay bisexual and transgender people a group that includes many elders for the rights of senior citizens under Social Security or for that matter the rights of any other group of Americans.Finally although the struggle for freedom can be difficult and painful for those without full equality it would be an historic mistake to grow tired of the battle or surrender basic rights and equality in order to make the road easier. We have made it through some extremely harsh and challenging times including losing thousands and thousands of our friends and family to HIV/AIDS. This is a community that has heroically walked its own path of tribulations and travail determined to be free and proud American citizens.We will not sacrifice our rights  or the rights of others like senior citizens on the altar of political expediency. Most of us if confronted with that choice would not even know where to begin. Which right would we give up? The right to adopt children? The right to serve our country proudly and with honor? The right to be at our partner’s bedside in death? And how much would we be willing to hurt others like seniors as part of a cynical deal to “help” ourselves? We are not for sale to those who would undermine Social Security and we are not prepared to walk away from political leaders who have stood with us.Nothing short of full equality and protection granted to all other American citizens is acceptable. We know that these are times that require wise and brave people who believe and love justice and freedom.Given recent events we wanted to restate our determination to do what’s right for our community for senior citizens and for America. With the greatest respectSincerelyDavid BarrRoberta BennettSteve Black Political Director The Pennsylvania Gay And Lesbian Alliance (PA-GALA)David BohnettCraig A. Bowman Executive director National Youth Advocacy CoalitionKent Burbank Executive Director Wingspan (Southern Arizona's LGBT Community Center)Richard D. Burns Executive Director LesbianGayBisexual & Transgender Community Center - New YorkAlan Van Capelle Executive Director Empire State Pride AgendaKevin Cathcart Executive Director Lambda LegalJosh Cazares and Nancy Wohlforth Board Co-Presidents Pride At Work AFL-CIOGeorge Chauncey Ph.D. Professor of History University of ChicagoBruce CohenDarrel Cummings Chief of Staff Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian CenterAnn DeGroot Executive Director Out Front MinnesotaJohn D'Emilio Professor of History University of Illinois at ChicagoSue Doerfer Executive Director Lesbian-Gay Community Service Center of Greater ClevelandHon. John J. Duran Mayor City of West Hollywood CaliforniaRandall Ellis Executive Director Lesbian/Gay Rights Lobby of TexasPaula Ettelbrick Executive Director International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights CommissionLaurent FischerPatrick Flaherty Director of Community Relations Milwaukee Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community CenterMichael Fleming Executive Director David Bohnett FoundationMatt Foreman Executive Director National Gay and Lesbian Task ForceMatthew J. Gallagher Executive Director DignityUSARick Garcia Director Equality IllinoisPenny Gardner Ph.D. Program Director Michigan EqualityAimee Gelnaw Executive Director Family Pride CoalitionHerb HamsherRichard S. Haymes Executive Director New York City Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence ProjectTerry Kaelber Executive Director Seniors in a Gay Environment (SAGE)Michael KearnsMara Keisling Executive Director National Center for Transgender EqualityKate Kendell Esq. Executive Director  National Center for Lesbian RightsGeoffrey Kors Executive DirectorEquality CaliforniaBill Melamed Board Member American Foundation for AIDS ResearchDavid MixnerJeffrey Montgomery Executive Director Triangle FoundationSheila Healy Executive Director National Association of Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Community CentersDave Noble Executive Director National Stonewall DemocratsClarence Patton Interim Executive Director National Coalition of Anti-Violence ProgramsChristopher J. PriceWarren Redman-Gress Executive Director Alliance For Full AcceptanceDoug Riley Executive Director Kansas City Anti-Violence ProjectH. Alexander Robinson National Black Justice CoalitionEric RofesStacey L. Sobel Executive Director Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil RightsJeff SoukupJonathan StollerBernard WhitmanPhill Wilson Executive Director Black AIDS InstituteEvan Wolfson Executive Director Freedom to Marry

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