My Ally Identity Development

Eight years ago I thought “I mean I don’t agree with it, but I’ll respect it.”

Eight years ago I thought I was some sort of progressive trendsetter for being the only one on my dorm floor who would say it.

Eight years ago I didn’t know anyone who was gay, or at least they weren’t telling me they were.

Eight years ago I was trying to figure out who I was and was busy being told who I should be by a person I thought I loved but who only sent me hateful love. Someone who didn’t care when I said something wasn’t right about him saying the word “faggot”. Someone who used every piece of exclusive language but who stripped me of a voice. Speechless I didn’t know how to protest.

Five years ago I was in the Texas sun, establishing my identity as a newly single woman and running through pages of Higher Education history. While serving popcorn and Whoppers I met a man who would change my life.

Five years ago I was hooked on a group of people who told me we are not all equal and we do not all have a voice and we are scared and we are tired and we are trying to breathe in a world that tries to drown us. And the schools and the churches and the government and the people send me nothing but hateful messages without any hope.

Five years ago I marched. Feet pounding, voice screaming, arms waving a rainbow flag the size of Texas and I marched. Me and 500,000 of my friends down the streets of Washington D.C. up to the State Capitol where we sang, danced and screamed hoping anyone would listen. Anyone would see. Anyone would care.  We bled through our shoes and chanted for love.

Five years ago I helped build a movement. With crusty fingers and bruised palms we continue to build. Our feet tired and our fury stronger than ever we share our messages of love, equity, social justice and respect.

Today my voice is strong.

Today our voices are growing and they are enraged.

Today I am the leader of the chants and people look to me for hope.

Today I am cruising down Facebook and Huffington Post hoping for relief. And while we have relief and hope today we only can prepare for the next war. These are not political issues, these are human rights issues. And I will give this movement my last breath.

Today and tomorrow I stand for freedom, true freedom.

Today and tomorrow I stand for equity, not just equality.

Today and tomorrow I stand for everyone who is too afraid or who is not allowed to stand for themselves.

Today and tomorrow I will bring this fight to everyone’s front door so they see that we all have a role and we all should be angry and we all need each other.

Today and tomorrow I march and I will not yield the streets.