Today, the people of the United States will elect a new president.
Understand why it is imperative that you make the right choice.
Many of you who follow me here know that I’m no fan of Trump. I am, by circumstance of the primary election, a Clinton supporter.
I did vote for Bernie, because of the options he was the best choice, not the lesser of two evils. I will vote for Hillary, because she is the best choice, not the lesser of two evils.
Many in the LGBT community are worried, worried that our rights will be stripped away, worried that our protections, such as they are, will be voided. Worried that we will once again be driven back into the dark closet, because we fear for our safety.
It isn’t a trivial thing, that we ask, but as you sit in the comfort of your life where your identity won’t leave you ostracized, beaten, raped or murdered, think of how your life would change, if you lived in the constant fear of others.
Now, you may think this is hyperbole, but understand, that the risk for most of us, is simply living, from the moment we leave the house, and sometimes in the house, we cannot ever feel entirely safe.
It is this fear, that we carry every day, and when we hear someone like Trump or pence, or any of the millions of their devotees spout off their vitriolic, racist, hate laden message of intolerance and xenophobia, we cannot help but panic.
I’ve struggled over the last year to find a way to equate the feeling of fear that we experience to something that the non-LGBT population can understand, or process. It’s not easy when you realize that you’ve never really had to fear, you’ve never experienced the loss of your family due to their hatred or prejudice, you’ve never felt the sinking feeling of noticing that the person behind you is just a little too close, or that your kid might not come home today.
But some of you might.
Today, will you choose to condemn me and the millions of LGBT individuals in this country to the terroristic whims of a madman, and his self-appointed legion of zealots? Or will you vote for the imperfect woman who is perfect for the job?
Understand also, that if you choose the former, you can no longer label yourself an ally or supporter of the LGBT community, because you are not, and we will no longer speak, or interact. I will consider it a personal affront, and a deep betrayal of me, and my community, my family and my friends.
Good night, and vote your conscience.
One Step Forward 