What Does It Take To Make You Feel Proud? Peter Paige!
Following is an except from Peter Paige's speech accepting the Human Rights Campaign's "Equality Award."
"I could tell you to vote - and you should. I could tell to write a check -and you should. I could tell you to mentor and give time and be kind and show your pride. But here's what I really want to tell you. Get yourself together. Sort out your bullshit. Undo the damage that was done to you and make sure no damage comes to those behind you. Become the person you always wanted to be. Share your astonishing self with the world, without hesitation, without apology, without retreating into shame or addiction or fear. Take up the space that is meant for you on this planet, in this life - because in so doing, you invite everyone else to take up his or her own space. And isn't that what this is all about - this garden party, this amazing organization, this movement? Isn't that the whole fucking point? We're all entitled to be here, to live the lives we want, with the people we choose. It's that simple. Believing anything else is a crime."
Peter's speaking notes can be seen in their entirety at http://peterpaige.net/connection.htm
"I could tell you to vote - and you should. I could tell to write a check -and you should. I could tell you to mentor and give time and be kind and show your pride. But here's what I really want to tell you. Get yourself together. Sort out your bullshit. Undo the damage that was done to you and make sure no damage comes to those behind you. Become the person you always wanted to be. Share your astonishing self with the world, without hesitation, without apology, without retreating into shame or addiction or fear. Take up the space that is meant for you on this planet, in this life - because in so doing, you invite everyone else to take up his or her own space. And isn't that what this is all about - this garden party, this amazing organization, this movement? Isn't that the whole fucking point? We're all entitled to be here, to live the lives we want, with the people we choose. It's that simple. Believing anything else is a crime."
Peter's speaking notes can be seen in their entirety at http://peterpaige.net/connection.htm