Dear Obama, How About Some Rights in 2010?

by Maia Spotts · 2009-12-08 08:21:00 UTC
Topics:

There's nothing like a little guilt for the holidays.

The leading LGBT advocacy groups have formed a panel with a single mission in mind: "to introduce President Obama to thousands of LGBT families. In addition to spreading holiday cheer, the campaign will increase visibility and awareness for the need for federal protections for the LGBT community."

The campaign, fromourfamiliestoyours.com, is asking you, as someone dedicated to equal rights for all citizens, to send a holiday card to the President with the following message: "Season's Greetings, from our family to yours. May the next year bring peace and equality for all." All messages will be sent to the President in one big rainbow wrapped package at the beginning of the year.

Bombarding the President with images of his gay constituents and their straight allies is an awesome way to start off a new year. But if there's one thing I've learned, it's that guilt only counts when it's totally in your face. And if there's another thing I've learned, it's that Change.org readers like to go big or go home. So here's what I think: let's tell Obama that we're here, we're queer, and he better start delivering on those promises of equality, and soon.

Take a picture of yourself that pronounces your stance on LGBT equality (your same-sex partner, your big gay family, a rainbow flag, a "straight but not narrow" sign), and write something personal and something challenging to the President. Ask him to think about all those soaring campaign speeches, all those promises and remind him that you, as an American citizen, deserve not only of the Hope but also of the Progress. And send it to the address listed here. Here's what mine will say:

Dear Mr. President:

Now is not the time for small plans. The stakes are too high for the same partisan playbook. Do not walk away now. Do not retreat into your respective corner. We cannot turn back. We are still hungry for the message of unity. Have you offered us false hope? Because there is nothing false about our hope. We are a part of you. We are the whispers from the corner. We are one people. We are one nation. Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity. Yes we can repair this nation. Yes we can. Begin the next great chapter in the American story, my American story. I want change. I want recognition. I want equal rights. I want them now.

Maia Spotts

(Photo courtesy of bkusler's photostream on Flickr)

Maia Spotts is one part of a two mom, two kid household and hopes to change the way in which this country defines the strong American family.
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