October 2, 2010
Please
Dear friends and family,
As many of you know, there’s an election coming up in not too long where many of us all across the nation will be voting for governors, senators, congresspersons, state attorney generals, etc. I know that all of you do not share the same political bent as I do, but I do want you to consider this:
Not so very long ago (in fact, so recently that a number of them are still living) it was not uncommon for women who looked and dressed like I do to be arrested, beat up, and raped in prison. Not only that, but there are gay teens committing suicide left and right because of bullying at school due to morally and religiously fueled hate and oppression. According to the FBI Department of Justice Hate Crimes Statistics, hate crimes against all sorts of minorities are on the rise again.
Let me be quite blunt with you. I’m terrified. I’m terrified of the world we’re creating where hate is preached. I’m terrified for my safety in this country. I’m terrified for my wife and family. I’m terrified that those who call for discrimination and inequality – the Tea Party, religious conservatives/fundamentalists, and many Republicans (while some may think my generalizations unfair, feel free to follow the money trail for the Prop Hate campaign in CA and/or the voting records against repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell in the Senate) – will win and that my rights and safety will be compromised.
So this is my plea: PLEASE VOTE. Please help make the United States a safe place. Please help make a positive difference for me and those like me. Please help stop the hate and the oppression and the murders and the suicides. If you’re not registered to vote, please do so – the deadline is October 4th. If you’re too young to vote and feel comfortable doing so, please talk to your parents, teachers, older siblings, etc. No matter who you are, please spread the word and encourage your friends and family to become educated about the candidates and to cast their vote=voice. Please help spread the peace, love, tolerance, and equality.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
