What a weekend
Well, that was insane.
Friday night was a fundraiser for PA Treasurer Bob Casey, who is going to take out Rick Santorum in November in the Senate. Following that was Comedy Rocks - a benefit for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rits. Oh my funny.
Saturday was a whirlwind. Woke up, flew to Columbus, OH - lunch with a board member, rally at the OH State Capital where I delivered this speech.
First, let me begin by thanking Equality Ohio for having the Human Rights Campaign here today. In addition, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to both Mary Jo Hudson and Mayor Coleman who serve as examples of bravery and leadership in elected office.
I want to tell a story. A story of two powerful women. Two powerful women who have, with their appearance taught us two valuable lessons. Their names are Katrina and Rita.
Before I begin this story, we must of course acknowledge and send words and thoughts of hope and support to the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. There are people in the gulf area who have lost almost everything, and others who truly did lose everything, including their lives. This story is not to diminish their pain or problems in any way, but to add a glimmer of hope that the rest of the world has seen, and learned, from what happened there.
We have learned, as a nation and as a world community, that the fiercest enemy of hope, progress and fairness is miscommunication, divisiveness and infighting among multi-level organizations. HRC stands here today united in working with Equality Ohio and local organizations across the state to ensure that we do not exemplify the failure of cooperation that we saw in the gulf region. We are committed to work with you in the most efficient, smart, tactical way possible. Katrina and Rita were the first things to hit the communities of the Gulf. The failure of federal, state and local officials to coordinate was the second. HRC will not let that happen here. In exchange we hope that you here, and everyone that you can talk to will support all levels of the Equality Movement, with your time, your energy, your passion, and yes - your money.
The second thing that these two powerful women reminded us, and something that I learned from the most powerful woman I know - my mother - is that family, relationships, safety, well being, equal treatment, and security are the most important things in this world. Those values are American values, they are family values, and they are our values. That is why HRC joins with Equality Ohio in ensuring that Ohio is a place where everyone feels at home.
I have to tell you - while I am not an Ohioan, my family has deep roots here. With two parents who are Zips, many personal friends who are Buckeyes, and even a few Bearcats, Ohio is a place I feel home. I thank you for inviting me, and the Human Rights Campaign to the Ohio Homecoming. It’s better than any of the cheesy dances we had in High School.
Thank you.
Then I flew back to DC, where a very dapper looking tuxedo clad fedex_cub picked me up and we headed for the HRC National Dinner. I have to say it was highly enjoyable. Cyndi Lauper was supposed to speak, but instead about half-way through her remarks she burst into an a capella version of True Colors. WOW. The entire room was silent. AMAZING. The after party with the B-52's was a blast - be bopped a little and then headed home to crash.
Sunday fedex_cub and I met jeffro1982 at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. He brought the incredibly cute masnow99 with him and the 4 of us devoured turkey legs, beer, fish and chips, apple dumplings, funnel cakes, etc throughout the afternoon. We also were treated to many a piece of eye-candy worth devouring as well. The weather was great and it was a fun fun trip. fedex_cub and I came home, returned the tux, met up with friends for pizza and West Wing.
Not a bad weekend, I must say.
Friday night was a fundraiser for PA Treasurer Bob Casey, who is going to take out Rick Santorum in November in the Senate. Following that was Comedy Rocks - a benefit for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rits. Oh my funny.
Saturday was a whirlwind. Woke up, flew to Columbus, OH - lunch with a board member, rally at the OH State Capital where I delivered this speech.
First, let me begin by thanking Equality Ohio for having the Human Rights Campaign here today. In addition, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to both Mary Jo Hudson and Mayor Coleman who serve as examples of bravery and leadership in elected office.
I want to tell a story. A story of two powerful women. Two powerful women who have, with their appearance taught us two valuable lessons. Their names are Katrina and Rita.
Before I begin this story, we must of course acknowledge and send words and thoughts of hope and support to the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. There are people in the gulf area who have lost almost everything, and others who truly did lose everything, including their lives. This story is not to diminish their pain or problems in any way, but to add a glimmer of hope that the rest of the world has seen, and learned, from what happened there.
We have learned, as a nation and as a world community, that the fiercest enemy of hope, progress and fairness is miscommunication, divisiveness and infighting among multi-level organizations. HRC stands here today united in working with Equality Ohio and local organizations across the state to ensure that we do not exemplify the failure of cooperation that we saw in the gulf region. We are committed to work with you in the most efficient, smart, tactical way possible. Katrina and Rita were the first things to hit the communities of the Gulf. The failure of federal, state and local officials to coordinate was the second. HRC will not let that happen here. In exchange we hope that you here, and everyone that you can talk to will support all levels of the Equality Movement, with your time, your energy, your passion, and yes - your money.
The second thing that these two powerful women reminded us, and something that I learned from the most powerful woman I know - my mother - is that family, relationships, safety, well being, equal treatment, and security are the most important things in this world. Those values are American values, they are family values, and they are our values. That is why HRC joins with Equality Ohio in ensuring that Ohio is a place where everyone feels at home.
I have to tell you - while I am not an Ohioan, my family has deep roots here. With two parents who are Zips, many personal friends who are Buckeyes, and even a few Bearcats, Ohio is a place I feel home. I thank you for inviting me, and the Human Rights Campaign to the Ohio Homecoming. It’s better than any of the cheesy dances we had in High School.
Thank you.
Then I flew back to DC, where a very dapper looking tuxedo clad fedex_cub picked me up and we headed for the HRC National Dinner. I have to say it was highly enjoyable. Cyndi Lauper was supposed to speak, but instead about half-way through her remarks she burst into an a capella version of True Colors. WOW. The entire room was silent. AMAZING. The after party with the B-52's was a blast - be bopped a little and then headed home to crash.
Sunday fedex_cub and I met jeffro1982 at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. He brought the incredibly cute masnow99 with him and the 4 of us devoured turkey legs, beer, fish and chips, apple dumplings, funnel cakes, etc throughout the afternoon. We also were treated to many a piece of eye-candy worth devouring as well. The weather was great and it was a fun fun trip. fedex_cub and I came home, returned the tux, met up with friends for pizza and West Wing.
Not a bad weekend, I must say.