From David Mixner, http://www.davidmixner.com September 28, 2009
This morning I was wondering how many of our straight allies would actually take time to walk with us. As I was packing, I came across some photographs from the 1963 March on Washington. What surprised me is how many whites joined hands with African-Americans on that historic day. Decades later, looking at the pictures I was still inspired and couldn’t help but think of the verse from We Shall Overcome “Black and White Together, We Shall Overcome Today!”Reviewing history makes the leap to today an easy one.
What will it take to have our straight allies, family and friends feel the passion and intensity that the Anglo community felt in the 1960’s? Then the answer became clear to me.
They should walk in our shoes as we march.
Can you imagine if African-Americans were once again facing a series of laws that would forbid them to marry any Anglo? Can you imagine the outrage?
Can you imagine the outrage if Jewish-Americans were told they could not serve in the Armed Forces of the United States because this is and always has been a ‘Christian nation?’ That Protestant troops would have moral problems since they worshipped differently? No one would tell them to be patient.
Can you imagine the fury of public reaction if Catholics were told by law that they could not be foster parents or adopt protestant children because they were loyal to the Pope in Rome? Italian and Irish Americans would be so outraged about those laws we would have to worry about violence. No one would dare tell them it would be changed sometime within eight years!
How about the rage if young clean cut Mormon missionaries were beaten every week and left to die in the most brutal of ways? America would be rightfully outraged and a hate crimes bill would have been passed years ago.
How would Jews feel if they were told they could ‘change’ who they are and go to centers and programs to become Christian and normal? How would the Orthodox community feel knowing that they could have their freedom and equal rights if they just looked and acted like the rest of Americans? That they could not celebrate who they are in public and that their freedom was contingent on making everyone else comfortable? Not a chance in hell that would happen nor should it happen.
How about the rage if Mormons, Catholics, Jews and others could never be mentioned in schools and any books about them or by them had to be taken off the shelves? Their part in the history of this great nation could never be mentioned. Pretty sad isn’t it?
And tell me a group of American citizens would not storm the United States Congress and White House if they were told they couldn’t be by the side of their dying partner, had to pay more taxes than other Americans, would not qualify for insurance, lose some social security benefits, etc simply because of what they are as a person! I doubt very much any of them would wait until it was convenient for the politicians.
Get the picture?
Think about it. Please think real hard about what it is like to walk in our shoes. Then come and walk by our side on October 11 in the National Equality March in Washington, D.C.
I’m straight and I will be there! I could not agree more. Invite us to join you. You might be surprised. More straight people than ever support equal rights. They just don’t know what to do or if they are welcome.
This old straight grandma is coming to the March! My 22-year-old granddaughter (also straight) told me about it, and expressed the desire to attend and lend support. I am so proud of her, and didn’t hesitate to offer to join her. Hopefully, my arthritic knees will hold up! I’ll toddle along somehow. I have had many gay friends and relatives over the years that I have loved dearly. I have seen the struggle they have gone through to live their lives amidst the prejudice and unfairness. I will be walking for all of those loved ones. Things need to change! And we all need to stand up and be counted, in order to make that change happen!
I am straight and I will be there for all those reasons you mentioned…someday someone might decide that I can’t be American if I don’t believe in God, especially their God, and I want people to stand with me then. Besides, it’s just the right thing to do.
I’ straight and will be marching in Orlando with my friends from the Rainbow Democrats.
This is our creed. Every American needs to read just this. Every politician should get this letter. How can I spread the message of this statement which says it all. This needs to be sent to every American. Thank you. Greg Irwin
Discrimination is discrimination. I will pray as I wish. I will love, marry and cherish who I wish. I will strive to be the person I wish to become because of the substance of my character, not because of, or in spite of, my color, religion, sex, or orientation.
We are made, each of us, in his image. We are each of us perfect and blessed and becoming. It is for no man to question or otherwise attempt to limit the potential of we.
Straight and marching until we have all arrived. Until we are all there, none of us are there.
Ed N.
Cambridge, MA
Well said Ed, nothing more needs to be said.
Every major city, in every state should have a walk in conjunction with the one in DC. I am gunho to help organize one in Salt Lake! Our voices must be heard!!!
That is the most inspiring article I have ever read. My nephew is gay, when I was first told of this my reaction was “So what is your point”? It does not change my love or respect for him as a nephew or person.We are what we are, what we choose to be. People have to drop thier insecurities, and beliefs in other people that they don’t fit in “thier world”.I will be in my 2 nephews shoes at this walk in spirit.