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They marched forward, dignified and determined, willing to put it all on the line for equality. “I am somebody!†The crowd around them full of supporters and media. The flash of cameras blinded people nearby as police moved forward to get rid of the nuisance.
Almost since its inception, I was privileged to work as part of the media outreach team for GetEQUAL, an organization created two years ago this week “to empower the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community and our allies to take bold action to demand full legal and social equality, and to hold accountable those who stand in the way.” Helping to create a media buzz so that the important work being done would not be lost or hidden by those who would silence the voices for equality.
The roots of GetEQUAL can be found in one simple philosophy, we are human and we are the same. Nothing more complicated than that. Yet in today’s world that isn’t quite the legal or political reality. Robin McGehee found out first hand that it wasn’t necessarily true when she was asked to step down as head of the PTA at her son’s school.
This was the first of a series of blows that affected the family that she loved so dearly. Why was this happening? Did her children merit some sort of animosity because they had two moms?
“The LGBTQ movement stands at a turning point,†said McGehee. “In the 30 years since the Stonewall riots, our lives have changed immeasurably. We have Gay-Straight alliances in schools across the country, gay characters in movies and on television, affirming communities of faith, and openly gay public officials. However, the core of our movement remains unrealized.  We are still not equal. At every level of society, LGBTQ folks face rampant and unacceptable discrimination.â€
When they began to receive national attention, GetEQUAL made sure that they were targeting those who said they were on the side of LGBT rights as well as those opposing our equality.
“We are following her advice to ‘make her (Pelosi) do it,’ and to ensure that she and the rest of the House see that people’s lives and livelihoods are on the line here,†said Heather Cronk, managing director of GetEQUAL, in July 2010. “As we head into the August recess, we will take the energy of today’s Rotunda action out into the states, and look forward to building popular support for the legislation in coalition with other LGBT organizations. We will concentrate on the districts where Representatives and Senators have not yet found the courage to step forward to support ENDA — both Republicans and Democrats.â€
In March of the same year they organized a shut-down of the Las Vegas Strip last week targeting Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), and several rallies at Speaker Pelosi’s district office in San Francisco.
GetEQUAL released a timeline showing years of broken promises and excuses from elected officials that have led to the stalling of any federal protections being in place for LGBT workers.  In the timeline, Speaker Pelosi is quoted numerous times promising that a vote on ENDA “will be soon.â€
From there it escalated to the momentous protest where 13 activists chained themselves to the White House fence in November 2010.
Three generations of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender veterans and advocates went back to the White House fence to call for the U.S. Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid, and President Obama to make good on their promises to secure the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell†during the abbreviated, lame-duck session of Congress.
Of those arrested in the protest were:
- Five veterans (Lt. Dan Choi, Petty Officer Autumn Sandeen, Cpl. Evelyn Thomas, and Cadet Mara Boyd) who were arrested back in March during the GetEQUAL organized “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell†act of civil disobedience at the White House fence demanding President Obama show leadership on repeal.
- Robin McGehee, co-founder and director of GetEQUAL, and Dan Fotou, former action strategist for GetEQUAL.
- Former U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Miriam Ben-Shalom, who was discharged in 1976 for declaring and admitting she was a lesbian. She became the first-ever LGBT servicemember reinstated to her position in the U.S. Military, by a U.S. Federal District Court. On July 30th, 1993, Miriam and 26 other protesters were arrested at the White House fence for protesting then-President Bill Clinton’s broken promise to repeal the gay ban – instead signing the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell†bill into law.
- Former U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Justin Elzie who, in 1993, became the first Marine ever investigated and discharged under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell†law. Elzie was also the first soldier to be discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell†to fight his discharge and win – resulting in his service as a Marine for four years as an openly gay man.
- Former U.S. Army Arabic Linguist Ian Finkenbinder, who was discharged from the Army in December 2004 after announcing to his superiors that he was gay. Finkenbinder is an Iraq war veteran and was about to return for a second tour of duty when he was discharged.
- U.S. Army Veteran and Repeal Advocate Rob Smith, who was deployed to both Iraq and Kuwait before being honorably discharged after deciding not to re-enlist in the U.S. Army due to the added pressure of living under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell†law.
- Father Geoff Farrow, a Catholic priest who spoke out against the church’s official stance in support of California’s Proposition 8, removing the rights of same-sex couples to marry. Because of his courageous stance against Prop 8, Father Geoff Farrow was removed as pastor of St. Paul’s by his bishop and suspended as a priest.
- Scott Wooledge, a New York-based LGBT civil rights advocate and blogger who has written extensively on the movement to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell†at Daily Kos and Pam’s House Blend.
- Michael Bedwell, long-time LGBT civil rights advocate, close friend of Leonard Matlovich, and administrator of the site www.leonardmatlovich.com.
“On the White House fence today, and in a jail cell this evening, are thirteen American patriots,†said McGehee. “Included in the thirteen arrested are veterans and advocates spanning three generations of brave and courageous Americans, who sacrificed their careers and lives to see the day this discriminatory ban on openly gay and lesbian service in the military finally goes into the history books. Today, we have sent a loud and clear message to the U.S. Senate and President Obama that we expect them to make good on their promises to end this inhumane law this year, during the lame-duck session of Congress.â€
That was said two years ago and we are seeing the organization and the activism within the LGBT community grow. GetEQUAL now has chapters in many states and is able to be an “on the ground†force to be reckoned with. Standing up to inequality around the country and effectively remaining at the forefront of a fight that is far from over, yet far from the dark ages that grew out of the 1990’s.
While most would call those who headed up GetEQUAL leaders, I think they would prefer the term stepping stones, allowing each of us to be leaders of our own equality. Each of these amazing people, who have revitalized a part of this movement that was lacking for a long time. We are privileged to profile many of these boons to our fight for equality.
Happy Birthday GetEQUAL and thank you from each and every one of us!
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PROFILES IN COURAGE
Information courtesy of GetEQUAL website:
Heather Cronk, Managing Director
Robin McGehee, Director and Co-Founder
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GetEQUAL Board Members
Dr. Jillian T. Weiss (board chair)
Dr. Weiss is also Principal Consultant for Jillian T. Weiss & Associates, a consulting firm that works with organizations on transgender workplace diversity issues. She has trained hundreds of employees at corporations, law firms, universities and governmental organizations, including Harvard University, Boeing, HSBC, KPMG, Viacom, and the New York City Department of Homeless Services. Her work has been featured in news stories by the New York Times, Associated Press, Fortune Small Business Magazine, the Society for Human Resource Management, Workforce Management Magazine, and HR Executive Magazine.
Richard Aviles
John Blake
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Tanya Domi
Father Geoff Farrow
Aj Kruth
Eric Nakano
Mark Reed
Autumn Sandeen
Special thanks to those who have believed and supported GetEQUAL from the beginning who are often the unsung heroes of many actions:
Paul Yandura, Donald Hitchcock and Brad Luna – and all of you who remain steadfast in support of every LGBTQ person!
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GetEQUAL Timeline
March 2010
March 15: GetEQUAL’s official launch
March 16: Call to pledge with Will Phillips
March 18: Simultaneous sit-ins at Pelosi’s offices in DC and SF
March 21: Partnered with local Mississippi activists to counter-protest Fred Phelps
April 2010
April 19: Interruption of Boxer fundraiser with Obama
April 20: Six people arrested at White House fence
April 21: ENDA action targeting House Education and Labor committee
May 2010
May 2: Lafayette Park DADT rally
May 14: Partnered with local Dallas activists in action targeting ExxonMobil
May 20: ENDA picket in DC
June 2010
June 17: Partnered with local Missouri activists to demand apology from Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO)
July 2010
July 20: Shut down Las Vegas Blvd to target Senator Harry Reid (D-NV)
July 24: Staged interaction between Harry Reid and Dan Choi at Netroots Nation
July 24: Supported National Organization for Marriage counter-rallies across the country with Freedom to Marry
July 28: Staged sit-in at Capitol Rotunda
August 2010
August 10: Helped support local DC organizers with “The Big Commit”
August 25: Lauched “ENDA Summer” campaign in locations across the country
September 2010
September 8: Interrupted Rep. George Miller (D-CA) campaign event
September 9: Shut down Castro and Market in SF
September 16: Targeted Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) in Senate Armed Services Committee hearing
September 17: Presented signed combat boots to Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA)
October 2010
October 1: Launched email to support anti-bullying rallies/vigils across the country
October 5: Launched “We’ll Give When We GetEQUAL” campaign
October 11: Staged protest by air, land, and sea in Miami at Obama DCCC fundraiser
Mid-October: Staged protests at Democratic fundraisers across the country
October 19: Supported Omar Lopez and Dan Choi, both discharged under DADT, as they attempted to re-enlist in the military
October 27: Supported local organizers in Indianapolis in securing an LGBT liaison in the police/fire departments
November 2010
November 3: Joined coalition of progressive groups to call for bolder action from elected leaders
November 5: Supported local organizers across the country planning Veterans Day events/actions
November 15: Organized a vigil at Sgt. Leonard Matlovich’s grave
November 15: Supported 13 activists to take arrestable action at the White House in protest of inaction on DADT
November 16: Organized a protest of the White House’s secret “Common Purpose” meeting in DC
November 17: Met with Brian Bond of the White House’s Office of Public Engagement and released notes about it via blog and an open media call
December 2010
December 14: Featured in Newsweek (link)
December 17: Held protests at four of Senator Hutchinson’s Texas offices to hold her accountable for DADT vote
December 18: DADT repealed
December 22: Attended bill-signing for Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010
January 2011
January 13: Released 2010 retrospective video (link)
January 26: Published Huff Post editorial (link)
February 2011
February 3: Organized “Breakfast Without Bigotry” outside National Prayer Breakfast in DC with Faith in America and the Unitarian Universalist Association
February 4: “Breakfast Without Bigotry” covered by CNN
February 14: Organized marriage counter actions across the country in partnership with Marriage Equality USA
February 14: Top-line media coverage from marriage counter actions included ABC News, L.A. Weekly, and many local outlets across the country
March 2011
March 9: Staged petition delivery, sit-in and arrests at Boehner’s district office over defense of DOMA, in partnership with CREDO Action and the Human Rights Campaign
April 2011
April 15: Presented Maggie Gallagher with “First Annual Anita Bryant Award for Unbridled and Unparalleled Bigotry†at a DOMA hearing on the Hill
April 19: Staged “Tax Day” actions to protest marriage/tax inequality in partnership with Equality Florida and Marriage Equality USA
April 19: Protested Obama fundraiser over inequality for gay binational couples in partnership with Marriage Equality USA and Out4Immigration
May 2011
May 5: Staged rally outside hearing for gay binational couple in partnership with Stop the Deportations, All Out, Courage Campaign, Garden State Equality, Immigration Action Fund, Marriage Equality USA, Out4Immigration, Princeton Equality Project, and Queer Rising
May 6: Celebrated temporary reprieve (which was later changed to full reprieve) of Josh and Henry
May 6: Organized actions across the country to draw attention to Chick-Fil-A‘s anti-LGBT policies
May 10: DADT protesters appeared in court again, drawing parallels from the judge to Shuttlesworth v. Birmingham
May 10: Protest outside Ugandan Embassy in DC over “Kill the Gays” bill
June 2011
June 2: Staged arrests at NC State House over putting marriage on the ballot in NC (link)
June 8: Launched online petition and delivered petition to Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Phoenix, in partnership with Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, Believe Out Loud, Faith in America, Human and Equal Rights Organizers (H.E.R.O.), No Longer Silent, Soulforce, Truth Wins Out — resulted in meeting with leadership of SBC
June 15: Featured in blog post by Tanya Domi and Clinton Fein about the LGBT movement
June 18: Coordinated with local activists in Minneapolis to “glitter” Michele Bachmann at Right Online conference, resulting in huge national press (link)
June 23: Protested outside Obama LGBT fundraiser in NYC in partnership with Queer Rising and Join the Impact, resulting in huge national press
July 2011
July 13: Held rally outside an immigration hearing for a gay binational couple, which resulted in a reprieve from the judge, in partnership with Stop the Deportations, Marriage Equality USA, and Out4Immigration. Supportive organizations included Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC), Asian Pacific Islander Equality, Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach, Asian Law Caucus, Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), Chinese for Affirmative Action, Equality California, Immigration Equality, Love Honor Cherish, National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), and San Francisco Immigrant Legal and Education Network (SFILEN)
August 2011
August 6: Staged mock funeral procession outside Rick Perry’s “The Response” prayer event in Houston, resulting in major local, LGBT, and national press
August 19-21: Held organizer training in Memphis with United We DREAM for 92 activists from across the country
August 25: Organized march and protest in Ohio to call for equality in housing and employment for LGBT Ohioans
September 2011
September 7: Protested outside GOP debate at Reagan Presidential Library
September 14: Called attention to the need for the Democratic Party to take a stand against anti-LGBT ballot initiative in North Carolina
September 14: Worked with individual activists, GLAAD, and the Transgender Law Center to launch “Pro-Bono” house parties for Chaz Bono’s debut on “Dancing With the Stars”
September 20: Organized protests, rallies, and marches across the country on day of DADT repeal implementation to make clear that inequality in military service still exists
October 2011
October 11: Organized National Coming Out Day actions across the country
October 12: Organized rally for National Coming Out Day and SB 48 in California in partnership with Asian and Pacific Islanders for LGBT Equality, California Faith for Equality, Courage Campaign, Equal Action, Jews for Marriage Equality, Love Honor Cherish, and Marriage Equality USA – Los Angeles Chapter
October 14: Texas activists held marches throughout the state for marriage equality, resulting in major press coverage all over the state
November 2011
November 15: Protested for-profit prison company in Austin for anti-immigrant policies
November 16: Supported alumnus of a Christian school in Ohio who was deleted from the school’s alumni page for being gay
November 18-20: Staged actions and vigils in coordination with many local transgender advocacy groups across the country for Transgender Day of Remembrance [for example, DC action was in partnership with DC Trans Coalition (DCTC), Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive (HIPS), Gay & Lesbian Activists Alliance (GLAA), Woodhill Sexual Freedom Alliance, International Socialist Organization (ISO), Cedar Lane UU Church LGBT Task Force, Venus
Plus X, Rainbow Response, Transgender Health Empowerment, and Gender Rights Maryland.
Growing up in Northern Ontario as a Jehovah’s Witness, Michael Talon experienced firsthand the struggle for equality. Now living in the U.S. he works with advocates for federal equality, including immigration. Michael currentlty owns and operates OnRecord Media, which works with LGBT supportive companies and organizations helping to create an economy and political atmosphere that focuses on inclusive policies and employment.