What’s In A Name?
This last Thursday I was out with a friend doing some catch up on things that are new in our lives. It was a great night going to several different bars up along Dickson St. At one point in the night I stepped out of one bar to cool down. As I stood out on Dickson St. enjoying the nice cool weather I hear a couple walking up the street. It’s the all too familiar Dickson St. talk, which bar to go to. As they get closer they walk by a bar that is next to the one I was visiting. The guy says, “Nah, that bar is gay,” (my head perks up at this point) and the girl then follows it up with, “Ya, that bar is totally gay.” OH NO THEY DIDN’T!
When I heard them say this I was just kind of in the state of “Seriously, did I just hear them say this?” I quickly assessed what I should do. Do I return the favor and say, “No, the bar isn’t gay, you are.” Do I stop them and say, “Please don’t use that word as many people find the context you use that word for as offensive.” Or do I say, “Oh no you didn’t girlfriends!” Well, I chose a combination of the last two. I turned towards them and said, “EXCUSE me? Gay?!” They both stopped in their track to the bar and looked back at me. Now, usually when I encounter this I usually will get an apology or at *least* a “Oh, I’m sorry” look. Well, the look they gave me was more of a “Oh, we just got called out in this.” The guy seems like he is about to apologize when his girlfriend drags him into the bar to the other side of the bar I am.
At this point I’m still stuck on that they realized what they said was wrong because they looked like dear caught in headlights when I called them out on it. No attempt to apologize, just a quick dash into the bar. The thought crossed my mind to go in after them to resolve this issue. Alas, I knew better than to walk blindly into the lion’s den (well at least without my “possy”).
This whole scenario made me realize that there are still people out there who use those words that I thought people left behind when they graduated high school. Apparently not. It made me think of GLSEN’s PSA ThinkB4YouSpeak. If people think something is not cool, then they should say it is not cool. Don’t say it is “gay.” Of course the argument that is always used is the whole, “I didn’t mean ‘gay’ as in ‘gay’ but as in ‘stupid’”. Well, last time I looked gay ≠ stupid. Perhaps though, it is a good thing that this word is evolving into another terminology. Of course this attitude came from a personal experience that happened several years ago.
This happened at a dinner after my cousin’s wedding. I was sitting around with my family talking, laughing, drinking, and just catching up. We were all in a festive mood. At one point someone said something and the youngest of the family said, “That is gay.” One would think that my family lost the power of speech. The table fell deathly quiet. All eyes looked at me to see how I would respond, I guess because I’m the gay of the family. So what did I do? I laughed my butt off! It was hysterical hearing my cousin say it, then the moment it left her mouth she realized what she said and who was around. She slowly turns to me and says, “I’m sorry Jason.” I look at her and say “It’s ok. I wasn’t offended.”
It’s the power of the apology that outweigh’s the power of the word.
I’ve been in several social settings where I’ve heard our non-homosexual counterparts use slurs such as, “fag,” “homo,” “dyke,” “queer,” and other words that are surely not blog appropriate. Each time the words left their mouth they quickly turned to me to apologize. Of which, I would smile and say it’s alright. Sure, I didn’t appreciate them using those words but it was the fact that once they said it they realized what they said was wrong and they were mature enough to admit it was in poor taste.
Of course, this is not an excuse when certain people, organizations use gay slurs to harass and demean our Community. I think it’s time we own up to these words and say “So what?” “Duh!” ”Is that the best you got?” “My grandma can come up with better ones than that.”
For a few months now I have been doing my own social experiment (crazy idea, right?). Here is what I’ve been doing. Within my close group of friends I have slowly started using “slurs” that are generally directed at the our Community, mostly those that are used for gay men. The words I chose to use are the most common ones, “gay,” fag,” and “faggot.” Now, I know there will be many people at this moment who are about ready to do the “Z” snap, scream “What kind of Advocacy Director is this?,” and send me angry e-mails but wait and let me explain.
As the title says, “What’s In A Name,” I’m trying to see exactly what is in these names that haunted some people throughout their younger years and taunts from people when they go out in public. So, what if instead of always thinking and believing that such words bring us harm, pain, and sadness we take those words and change their meaning?
I thought that when I first started doing this my friends would look at me weird and think “Did he just say that?”, ask me to stop, or ask me if I meant another word. Well apparently nothing shocks my friends anymore when I do something (which I don’t know if that’s good or bad). Anyway, it didn’t seem to have any impact on them.
So I started using the word more in the appropriate places. So here are the situations that used the word gay: “No, that shirt is gay”, “Does drinking only martini’s and wine make me gay?”, “Oh my gosh, you’ve been fixing your hair for 30 minutes, please stop being so gay”, “You’re on Grindr at work? Wow, you really are gay.” So, I used the word “gay” to use as an any day word that describes a situtation where I, or the people I am with, act in a manner that mirrored our sub-culture that makes one “gay.” The word is meant to be positive connotation. So, it’s along the lines of “We’re here, we’re queer.” The word “queer” has a negative connotation, and is also used as a slur, but recently it is being adopted by several organizations to add to the alphabet soup that is used for our Community, LGBTQ (which that is a wole other post). So now to the words that are a little more touchy.
I knew using “gay” wouldn’t be that much of a big shocker when I would insert it into a sentence. But how would they react when I used the words “fag” or “faggot?” Again, not much reaction. However, for this word I used it would be a harsher, more direct connotation. The instances these would be interjected into would be, “They are acting like fags and need to grow up”, “Stop trying to lock up my phone faggot”, “I’m such a fag for thinking he loved me”, or “Ya, that person acted like a fag last night.” Recently I was talking with two other friends, well maybe not so much talking as listening, but not so much listening as zoning in-and-out, I think I saw something shiny out in the distance. Back to the story, they were talking and I hear one friend say, “He is being a faggot and needs to calm down.” I shot a surprised look at him. My other friend saw my surprise and said, “Oh Jason it’s ok.” Now, I wasn’t bothered by the word but that one friend, who is very, very PC said it and the other friend brushed it off, who again likes to try and keep up that PC image. Has my social experiment worked?
A more interesting time was at a house party a month or so ago. I was out on the back patio having a cigarette and was talking to a friend. Now, out on the patio with us were some straight guys possibly a few years younger than me, maybe early 20′s, which to me is a huge maturity difference. So, not thinking that I’m going to change how I am around them I kept talking to a friend and came to a point where I said, “He needs to stop being such a faggot to you and grow up.” The guys next to me had a shocked look on their face. One of them piped up, “Wow, did you just say that? We can’t even say that.” I thought, “Damn right you can’t say it. It’s our word!”
Now, I know many of you at this point are grabbing your glitter pitch forks and rhinestone covered torches becuase these words are taboo. But again, please let me explain. How many of people out there have used the words, “retarted”, “stupid”, “hate”, “b*tch”, “ugly”, “fat”, “ghetto”, “trashy”, “brain dead”? How many people have told a racial joke or used a racial slur or even thought one in their minds? How many people have heard a Jew/Holocaust joke and laughed or didn’t correct that person? We are all guilty in some way of using words that we shouldn’t be saying at all becuase they will hurt someone. Now, I don’t expect everyone to stop and follow the Noble EightFold Path that Buddhist’s use; of which, makes you literally have to think about what you do, say, think, act, believe, etc.
For the sake of the words that have plagued our culture as insults, taunts, degrading remarks how about we finally take them and say, “So?” Early on in our fight for acceptance from society people used “gay” to describe us. Now, almost everyone who plays on our team uses that word to describe who they are, or some variation; such as earlier mentioned “queer.”
If we start looking at the words, examine what they are, how they were intended, and why it bothers us we could learn to become stronger. We could learn to see that these words have no inherent existence. They have no truth to them except for the truth that we give them. They have no power except for what we allow them to have. So, let’s change it. Let us turn the tables and let us take the power back. Call me gay when I say that beers are nothing but empty calories. Call me a fag when I’m acting silly. I won’t mind. In fact, I’ll smile and say “Way to take back the word.”
The opinions expressed by the Contributor and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the NWA Center for Equality, its Members, or any employee thereof. The NWA Center for Equality is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the Contributor.
NWA Center for Equality Seeks Newspaper Policy Change
For immediate release:
The NWA Center for Equality is strongly disappointed by the discriminatory actions of the NWA TIMES by refusing to publish the wedding announcement of Cody Renegar and his partner Thomas Staed.
The Center’s Director for Advocacy, Jason Rogers says, “It is a shame that in today’s society people are blatantly placed as second class citizens due to the limited view of love. It is a disgrace to see that a newspaper, which should be at the heart of freedom of press and expression, would be so outright against the idea of two individuals wishing to express their love just as our straight ally’s do.”
A similar example played out last year in Dallas, TX when a same-sex couple who were married in Washington, D.C. asked to have their wedding announcement placed in the Dallas Morning News. The paper, just like the NWA TIMES, refused to publish it and a petition was started to change the newspaper’s policy. Texas, just like Arkansas, does not recognize marriage equality but according to the publisher of the Dallas Morning News, James Moroney, said, “It’s the right thing to do” according to the article posted on Change.org’s news section.
Cody Renegar, a long time Community activist and member, said “I believe that I am not only speaking for Thomas and myself but that I am also speaking for the Community. I hope that we are doing them justice.”
GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) contacted Laura Phillips, a local straight ally and activist, and informed her that in 2008 the NWA TIMES filled out a survey that was sent from GLAAD saying they would publish same-sex marriage announcements.
We at the Center for Equality, along with the backing of the Human Rights Campaign, strongly ask the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, and the NWA TIMES, to reconsider its position on publishing wedding announcements for same-sex couples. Equality matters.
States that allow marriage equality are Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and Washington, D.C.
Domestic Partnership Agreement
Here is a new post coming from a Community ally, Scott Hall!
If you are in a long-term same-sex relationship that is ending, how do you split up the property or debt between you and your partner? Arkansas law specifically governs the separation and divorce of heterosexual married couples. There is an Arkansas statute stating that upon divorce, property should be distributed equally to both parties, unless the division would be inequitable. Courts also have authority and discretion to divide debt between divorcing parties.
But what about same-sex couples that are living together? Arkansas does not recognize same-sex marriages, even if the marriage occurred out of state. In 2004, the Arkansas Constitution was amended to state that “[m]arriage consists only of the union of one man and one woman.” Due to the state of Arkansas law, same-sex couples in Arkansas must resort to complex and expensive litigation in order to determine the parties’ rights and obligations upon splitting up.
For example, there was a case in the Arkansas Supreme Court in 1980, wherein a gentleman named Benjamin sued his same-sex partner, James, for the return of real estate. Benjamin opened a bank account in his partner’s name and deposited $7,000.00 in it. Benjamin wanted James to use the money to purchase a home in James’ name, in an effort to hide the property from Benjamin’s wife, whom he was divorcing. James purchased the property, and he lived on it with Benjamin. According to Benjamin, James was supposed to transfer the home to Benjamin once his divorce was over. Benjamin and James later had a falling out, and they broke up. Benjamin moved out, and sued James in order to get the home. After what appears to be a lengthy lawsuit, the Arkansas Supreme Court sided with Benjamin. Under such circumstances, Benjamin and James could have side-stepped this problem by having a contract governing their living situation.
Due to the fact that same-sex couples cannot rely on Arkansas marriage and divorce laws, they ought to consider an alternative arrangement – a contract commonly called a Domestic Partnership Agreement. A Domestic Partnership Agreement is a legally binding agreement for couples that share a life and a home. It is similar to a prenuptial agreement, and it unfortunately shares many of the negative connotations of a “prenup.” A couple, be it a heterosexual couple or a homosexual couple, may not want to sign a contract governing ownership and use of property, as it may convey the message that the parties do not think their relationship will last. However, a Domestic Partnership Agreement addresses the parties’ expectations and obligations. It is a matter of planning for your future.
Arkansas courts have not definitively addressed Domestic Partnership Agreements, but other states have. Therefore, consulting with your choice of attorney is the first step in determining whether a Domestic Partnership Agreement is for you and your partner.
M. Scott Hall is an attorney practicing in the Fayetteville, Arkansas, office of Hall, Estill, Hardwick, Gable, Golden & Nelson PC (www.hallestill.com). He focuses his practice in the areas of civil litigation, family law, and business transactions. He is admitted to practice before all state and federal courts in Oklahoma and Arkansas. Scott received his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 2006. He has been an advocate of LGBT rights since junior high due to his mother’s philosophy on overall equality, and is grateful to count among his best friends those that are members of the LGBT community.
Where is their ribbon?
On Sunday, the Razorback football team lost an amazing player, Garret Uekman. Within hours people had posted pictures, quotes, and ribbons memorializing this outstanding athlete. People from across the State of Arkansas and even from outside of the state were quickly establishing a memorial. Monday night there was a vigil held for him that was attended by hundreds of people from the University of Arkansas campus. It included students, staff, faculty, and administrators. While his family and close friends mourn the loss of such a young life it made me ask, “Where was the ribbon for Cassidy Vickers?” Hardly anyone from the Community could answer that because almost all of them didn’t have a clue who she was. Now before I go into this article it is not about sports nor is it about the loss of an athlete who sportscasters said could have made it to the NFL. This is about a Community, our gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender Community and the absence of our collective mourning.
On Monday night, hundreds of people gathered together for the loss Garret. On Sunday, 21 people from around NWA gathered together at the NWA Center for Equality to mourn the loss of 23 people who were murdered this year. These 23 innocent human beings were transgendered. One of these victims was Marcal Tye, of Forrest City, who was shot and then dragged behind a car. This happened March 8th of this year. I remember the loss of this life. I remember seeing the news stories. What is another horrifying aspect about this past weekend? Three days before Transgender Day of Remembrance, which was yesterday, the 20th, in Hollywood, Cassidy Vickers was shot and killed. Not one post did I see from anyone of the Community speak out against the loss of this life. Her memory was memorialized at the Transgender Remembrance for which we lit a candle in honor of her. To one individual who stated to me, “Why mourn those who dress like that to piss people off?” I was speechless. Yet, this is somewhat close, not really though, of what I’m trying to address.
It is also the wider Community that seems to not acknowledge the atrocities that befall our brothers and sisters. A recent example is the unbelievable act of pure hatred that lead 3 men to nearly kill Burke Burnett in Texas. It was a miracle that he survived. Luckily his friends jumped in to stop the gay bashing and rushed him to the hospital. Even though he did not die, he came close. It was not because he was being obscene. It was not because of him mouthing off to anyone. It was not because he wanted to fight. It *was* because he was one of us, gay. People read the details of the attack and might have posted it on their Facebook wall or Tweeted it but that was it.
When I got home from work Monday afternoon I was browsing the latest Community news. I was relieved to finally see that Lawrence King‘s killer has finally been handed a sentence of 21 years in prison. Though I was happy to see this news, I was saddened that I came across it from CNN. Where are those people whom I know that speak of equality, that seek to be able to live their lives with the full rights as citizens of this Nation, that “talk” about how they love who they are; be it gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer yet fall silent when darkness falls upon us?
Almost all of my “friends” on Facebook do not speak out against the hatred that is captured by the news that talks about the violence which is done to our Community. Hardly anyone demands that we speak out against such ignorant violence that befalls us. We are great to rejoice the amazing strides that are being done for full equality. We fail when we ignore the tragic loss of life from our Community.
What mentality is it that allows some people to not take an interest, or better yet take a stand, when such horrendous acts of extremism are done to the Community? Does the Community think, “That happened in that city, not ours” or “This could never happen to me” or finally, “Bad things happen and there’s no point in speaking out against it.” Now let me tell you, these are not things that I assume people conjure up when such atrocities happen, these are quotes from people I’ve heard say. These are individuals from the Community right here in Northwest Arkansas.
In a recent book I just finished reading, Night, by Elie Wiesel, he talks about his experience before first being sent into the ghetto and then into concentration camps. He talks about the rumors that people were circulating about what really happened at the concentration death camps and how the community he lived in didn’t believe them. They were so “out there” that no one could believe such inhumane acts could be done to an entire group of people. It wasn’t until they saw what was happening that the “unbelievable” became a reality. Today, there is Yad Vashem, “A place and a name,” in Israel where the memories of the lives taken will be remembered forever.
Is that what it will take for the Community to wake up and realize what is happening around us? Is that what it will take for the Community to finally rally together and say, “No more! We will remember!” But who knows. All I know is that a hundred of my friends, gay and ally, dedicated their Facebooks and Tweets to one individual but not one dedicated a picture, a quote, or a ribbon to Cassidy Vickers.
“Those who kept silent yesterday will remain silent tomorrow.” — Elie Wiesel
With Pride & Equality,
-Jason Rogers
The opinions expressed by the Contributor and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the NWA Center for Equality, its Members, or any employee thereof. The NWA Center for Equality is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the Contributor.
“A personal story of living with HIV”
For so long since I’ve been “out” I have always known about HIV/AIDS. Of course, there’s a huge difference of “knowing” about HIV/AIDS to actually “understanding” what HIV/AIDS is. Perhaps it was due to that I thought HIV is something I never have to deal with. I didn’t really know of anyone who was actually Positive so it seemed as something I didn’t have to worry about.
It wasn’t until a close friend of mine was tested positive. Here was the first time that someone I knew, who is like a brother to me, has HIV. At that point I knew that I had to understand.I started reading up on HIV information. I checked out HIV websites learning about medication, the history of the virus, statistics, and people’s personal stories. It was a turning point for me. Of course, this wouldn’t be the last person so far in my life who has helped me understand what it is like living with HIV.
About a year ago I met someone who has deeply impacted my life, and understanding, of what it is like living with HIV. His name is Chris Dresing. What he helped me understand is that when you know someone and love them, you won’t see the virus. You will only see the person. He has, and continues to be, an inspiration as someone living with HIV and makes his life worth something and doesn’t make his life only about the virus but what he aspires to be. This is his story.
I post a lot of various articles and stories about the importance of HIV testing and treatment.. The fact that catching it early on can not only prevent you from inadvertently passing it to someone else but can also save your life.. Why do I feel so passionate about this? What makes me think so importantly of education regarding this matter? Well, here’s my story..
Having had 2 relatives pass away from HIV related complications, the subject has always been important to me.. It’s always been a known risk to any sexual situation, whether it’s risky or not, whether you’re straight or gay (or somewhere in between), black/white or somewhere else in the spectrum, male or female.. It can affect ANYONE and it doesn’t discriminate..
In February of 2009, my life came to a brief pause when I went to get one of my regular HIV test done.. Lucky for me, my friend Brad was someone who performed HIV tests with his job so there was always a safe place for me to go get this done.. When I walked in, it was just like the many other times I had done this test before.. There wasn’t much of a concern (I had just gotten out of a relationship a few months prior) but it was still what I always did on a regular basis.. This was the last HIV I will have ever taken because that test came back Positive..
As with anyone who gets a positive test result, your mind isn’t quite sure what it should be thinking, you’re not really sure what it is that you should be doing.. All you can think about is “I’m HIV Positive..” Again, luckily for me, Brad was there to guide me through this process and be the one to think clearly for me and what I need to be doing.. He gave me the necessary information and helped me along..
Regardless of how familiar you are with HIV and its effects, it’s still a whole new ball game when it hits home and affects you personally.. Crazy questions run through your mind.. Am I going to die soon? What will my life be like? Will anyone ever love me because I have this disease? What will other people think of me because of this? Will people shun me away now?
A quick HIV lesson for those of you out there unfamiliar with the situation.. Two things you get tested for once you test positive and continually test during your life is your T-Cell (CD4) levels, which is an indication of the strength of your immune system, and your Viral Load (the amount of virus found in your blood).. The first levels test I had done was a CD4 count of 511 and a viral load of about 38,000.. When I heard that number of 38,000, I panicked.. I began scouring the internet for information on viral loads and the like.. I soon realized that that number wasn’t extremely high like it sounds.. The doctors didn’t suggest medicating right away, that topic is still up for debate in the medical community.. We decided that it’d be best to just keep testing every 4 months and take it in stride and we can make that decision later..
A few months later, I finally had the awful pain in my back diagnosed.. It was Ankylosing Spondylitis.. Great, I have a diagnosis.. Now, how do we treat it and make my chronic spinal pain go away?! Well, that’s the tricky part.. The medications that are used to treat this condition are immunosuppressant.. Yup, in order for the pain to go away, I’m going to take medication that reduces my immune system.. GREAT!! After several doctor visits and conversations, we had decided that I’d move forward with treatment for my back condition as long as I started to medicate for the HIV.. It was a bit of a tricky decision since all the information the drug companies had to offer was simply “No.. Don’t take this medication if you’re HIV Positive..” But I needed my quality of life.. So I bit the bullet and started taking HIV meds to make sure they would work before I could start taking my injections for my back..
Luckily, the first medication I was prescribed to treat the HIV was a success.. My CD4 count rose to nearly 1,000 and my viral load went undetectable in my blood.. YAY!! Now, it was time to cross our fingers and start taking my injections.. After months of taking both medications, my CD4 count still stayed very high (high 800’s last test about a month ago) and Viral Load still stayed undetectable.. The immunosuppressant aspect of my injections seemed to have no affect on the HIV progression and my health is amazing right now (at least physical! LoL).. Without knowing that I was HIV Positive, it would never be obvious.. I’m rarely sick and my immune system is doing amazing..
What was the point in telling you all of this medical back-story? The point is this.. With early detection of the contraction of HIV, you can keep yourself monitored and healthy.. The faster you learn of your infection, the quicker you can take medications to reduce the progression.. Someone in their 20’s who is diagnosed HIV positive and starts take the medication for it in early stages has an average life expectancy of about 40+ additional years.. That’s quite a way we’ve come since the 80’s and 90’s when people died after just a few years..
If you’ve read this far, you can see why I’m such a huge advocate for testing and treatment.. As I like to say at the end of the postings I make on this nature, Get your ass tested!! Not only to save your life, but that of others.. Today’s medical advances have downgraded HIV infection from a death sentence to that of a chronic condition.. If you take care of yourself in every day life and monitor/treat the condition, you can live a VERY long life ahead of you.. Yes, it may be scary in the beginning and you may think your life will never be the same.. Well, in a way, you’re correct.. Mine hasn’t been the same since.. I’ve learned that you can’t take things for granted, there’s a good side to every situation.. It makes you learn to appreciate things in a whole different way and be thankful that the medical advances have been made.. And hopefully, you can be there for others like I am, to help guide them along and educate others to reduce the chances of them contracting HIV.. And if they have already contacted HIV, be there to make sure they realize they can be strong and get through it.. It’s not the end of the world..
Here in NWA we are lucky to have a place where there is free confidential testing, NWA H.O.P.E., which is a program run by the NWA Center for Equality. Getting tested is the only way of knowing if you are negative or positive. You can’t guess or assume it. As Chris points out in his story that HIV is no longer a death sentence. The medical community has come so far in providing amazing treatment that people live normal lives.
The more people talk about their experience, their lives, and their triumphs overcoming this disease the less we will come to see HIV as something to be feared.
Here are some great websites about HIV/AIDS: POZ , The Body , Avert , CDC
In Memory of Art Beeghly
On Sunday, October 16th, the NWA Center for Equality, and the NWA Community, lost a dear friend, Art Beeghly. A service is being held tomorrow, Saturday, October 5th, at 3:00 pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
He moved to Arkansas 7 years ago and knew more about Arkansas history than most Arkansas historians, as one of Art’s favorite hobbies was reading. Art was a friend to all who got the chance to know him. Even his friends say that he was always there whenever someone needed him. He received a Culinary Arts Certificate from Lancy College in Oakland, CA and received a BA degree in journalism from Berkley University. Art was such believer in free speech that he went and had “journalism: the last hope” tattoo, completely enshrining another aspect of Art that everyone came to love about him.
In addition to Art’s hobbies for reading and journalism he was bi-lingual in Spanish, a world traveler, and a cat lover who always carried around a picture of his own cat, Mildred. Everything that Art said or wrote always had something unique, and quirky, tone to that made him a joy to hear from. Art always left a lovable impression on anyone who ever met him.
Art had always been involved with the NWA Center for Equality since it’s beginning 6 years ago. He was a beloved member of the Board. He was the Board Director for Events & Special Planning; which speaks highly of his dedication to the NWA Community through his hospitality.
He was a philanthropist at heart as he generously donated money to the United Way, Walton Arts Center, Human Rights Campaign, Fayetteville Public Library Foundation, the University of Arkansas Foundation,the NWA Shrine Circus, the Shiloh Museum Association, the NWA Center for Equality, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Art is survived by his niece, Alicia Beeghly-Fadiel.
Please come tomorrow as we will gather to remember a beloved friend. 
Lilli Vincenz – LGBT History Month
“We were laying the groundwork for what we hoped would be later activism that would give homosexuals equal rights.”
Lilli Vincenz is a pioneering gay rights activist. In 1965, she was the only lesbian to participate in the first White House picket. From 1965 to 1969, Vincenz demonstrated each Fourth of July in front of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. These protests, called Annual Reminders, launched the gay and lesbian civil rights movement.
Vincenz was born in Hamburg, Germany, and grew up during World War II. Her father died when she was 2 years old. In 1949, after her mother married an American, the family moved to the United States.
In 1959, Vincenz earned bachelor’s degrees in French and German from Douglas College. The following year, she received a master’s degree in English from Columbia University.
After college, Vincenz enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps and worked at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. After serving nine months, she was outed by her roommate and was discharged for being gay.
In 1963, Vincenz joined the Mattachine Society of Washington (MSW). She was in the MSW delegation that held the first meeting with the Civil Service Commission to discuss discriminatory policies toward gays and lesbians.
In 1971, Vincenz helped launch the Frank Kameny for Congress campaign. This marked the first time an openly gay person ran for public office in the United States.
Vincenz filmed two important gay rights demonstrations: the 1968 Annual Reminder in Philadelphia and the first anniversary of Stonewall, known as the first New York Pride Parade.
From 1971 to 1979, Vincenz hosted a monthly Gay Women’s Open House in Washington to provide a safe setting for socializing and discussing common concerns.
In 1990, Vincenz earned a Ph.D. in human development from the University of Maryland. Vincenz has written for numerous publications and has appeared on television and in film.
She resides in Arlington, Virginia, with her partner, Nancy Ruth Davis.
Ricky Martin – LGBT History Month
“I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am.”
Ricky Martin is a Grammy Award-winning pop singer. A professional entertainer since childhood, Martin has sold more than 60 million albums.
He was born Enrique Martin Morales in San Juan, Puerto Rico, into a Roman Catholic family. His mother is an accountant and his father is a psychologist.
Martin’s singing career began at age 12 with the Latin American boy band Menudo. After completing high school, he moved to Mexico City, where he signed a solo record deal with Sony.
After two successful Spanish-language albums and a sold-out concert tour, Martin moved to Los Angeles, where he was cast as a singer/bartender on the popular soap opera “General Hospital.”
In 1999, he released his first English-language recording. The self-titled album sold 22 million copies and launched the No. 1 hit single “Livin’ La Vida Loca.”
That year, Martin performed at the Grammy Awards and received the award for Best Latin Pop Album. With his good looks, sexy dance moves and dynamic performance style, he became an international superstar.
Martin is the founder and president of the Ricky Martin Foundation. The foundation works to prevent the trafficking of children. In 2005, he received the International Humanitarian Award from the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
In 2006, Martin was honored with the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year Award. The following year, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 2008, Martin had twin sons via a surrogate mother. Two years later, he came out with a post on his Web site, “I am a fortunate homosexual man.”
In 2010, Martin’s memoir, “Me,” was published. In an interview he said, “I want my children to be able to read the book one day and understand the spiritual journey I had to experience.”
Martin lives in Miami with his partner and his two sons.
Michael Kirby – LGBT History Month
“If every gay person in Australia stood up and said this is me, get over it, the whole shabby charade would be finished.”
Michael Kirby is a former justice of the High Court of Australia. He is the world’s first openly gay justice of a national supreme court. When he retired, he was Australia’s longest-serving judge.
Kirby was born in Sydney, Australia. He attended Fort Street High School, which is renowned for the accomplishments of its graduates. He earned three bachelor’s degrees and a Master of Laws degree from the University of Sydney.
Kirby practiced law for 13 years. In 1975, he was named deputy director of the Australian Conciliation & Arbitration Commission. Subsequently, he served as judge of the Federal Court of Australia, chairman of the Australian Law Reform Commission and as president of the New South Wales Court. In 1996, he was appointed to the High Court.
A pioneering AIDS activist, Kirby served on the World Health Organization’s Global Commission on AIDS and the United Nations Global Commission on HIV and the Law.
In 1991, Kirby received the Companion of the Order of Australia, the nation’s highest civil honor, and the Australian Human Rights Medal.
In 1999, Kirby came out when he named his long-term partner, Johan van Vloten, in his listing in “Who’s Who in Australia.” The couple has been together since 1969.
In 2010, Kirby received the Gruber Justice Prize for his work on sexual orientation discrimination and international human rights law, including laws relating to privacy and HIV/AIDS. In 2011, his biography, “Michael Kirby: Paradoxes/Principles,” was published.
Kirby lives with his partner in Sydney, where he advocates for LGBT equality and for people with HIV and AIDS.
You – LGBT History Month
Over the past several weeks I have shown you many individuals who have committed themselves to improving the lives of who we, the LGBTQ “Community”, are today. Individuals who have sacrificed, stood up, confronted anti-gay intolerance so that who ever may be reading this blog are able to do so because of the those who have come before us have done what we need to do.
In a book recently I came across a quote from Ernestine Rose, ”Freedom, my friends, does not come from the clouds like a meteor; it does not move in one night; it does not come without great efforts and great sacrifices; all who love liberty have to labor for it.” How easy is it for us to see that “freedom” is just what another word that we in our Community long for, equality.
So in our struggle for equality we need to know that without great efforts and sacrifices, without everyone who desires to love liberation, we have to be able to take a stand for it. We have to show those around us who that in the face of bigotry, in the face of intolerance, in the face of harassment we will not back down; we will not yield; we will not go silently. We have to be able to make a voice heard for it. We have to be able to let our actions show it. We have to wear our colors so proudly that those around us do not even need to question “why?” for they will see a vast sea of support wherever they go; especially today as we celebrate Spirit Day and wear the color purple. That those who fight against us, defame us, harass us will see that no longer are they having to tear us down one by one but they will have to bring an entire group to face our enduring love and belief in equality for all as we stand united with our families, with our friends, and with our Community.
Our Community needs to hear the cries of our youth and realize that without our effort to give something up, to put someone one else who needs our support before our own desires or wishes, our future is lost. We have the chance everyday to ensure that students, teens, and adults, who in our Community can know that someone out there is making a sacrifice.
Why do I say these words? Because you have the chance to make history. It might not make national news or get written down in a book. However, the actions you choose to do for the better belief of life of our Community, especially for our youth, will go down in history. That down the line of time someone will think, “If it wasn’t for someone who did this, I would not be who I am today.” Today we are to look at the LGBT youth and realize that it is our efforts, our actions that can make a better world for their future. Mike Manning, a LGBT activist, said it best, “Our youth is our future. That it is those whom other people see as ‘different’ are the ones who make the biggest impact later on in life.”
So to my brothers and sisters of the Community who yearn to be free, to live their lives how they choose, to express their identity by their own self conviction, to be able to hold the hand of their partner in public, and to be able to show their love for one another in a wedding. I ask you to look around you and see what you can do today to make a difference for yourself, for your friends, for a family member, for our youth.
Today, I honor you, for the actions you have done to make our Community better. I thank you for the unknown trials you have endured for that have made even just one life better. I applaud you for realizing that that those who love equality shall labor for it.
I leave you with a song. A song that empowered my generation in a ground breaking show called “Queer As Folk.” The song is called “Proud” by Heather Small.
So, I ask, what have you done today to make yourself feel proud?
With Pride & Equality,
Jason Rogers
