The Time for Full Equality is NOW!

On May 15-17, 2009 in Dallas, Texas twenty-four thinkers, activists, and donors - including fellow LGBT bloggers Pam Spaulding and Lane Hudson who I met in December at the LGBT Blogger Summit and Lisa Turner, president of The Turner Group, Ltd., in Virginia Beach - gathered to discuss the immediate need for full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender people in the United States. Collectively we prepared The Dallas Principles. The preamble to the eight (8) principles reads as follows:

*

President Obama and Congress pledged to lead America in a new direction that included civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans. We now sit at a great moment in our history that inspires the nation to return to its highest ideals and greatest promise. We face a historic opportunity to obtain our full civil rights; this is the moment for change. No delay. No excuses.

*
Nearly forty years ago, a diverse group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people stood up to injustice at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. In doing so, they submitted themselves to bodily harm and criminal prosecution. Their demand was simple -- equal protection under the law.

*
Still today, full civil rights has eluded the same community that rioted forty years ago. Instead, untold sums of resources have been spent to divide our nation and turn our lives into a political football.

*
At several junctures in American history, the stars have aligned to deliver the promise of equal protection under the law to those previously denied. At this unique time in history, our nation must once again exercise the great tradition of making its people equal.

*
Justice has too long been delayed. A clear path toward full civil equality for the LGBT community is overdue and must come now.

*

Using fear and misunderstanding to justify discrimination is no longer acceptable in this nation. Those content with the way things are will be judged harshly by history. Those who do not actively advance these ideals or offer excuses will be judged just as harshly. Those who attempt to divide our community or to delay and deny action on civil equality, waiting for the right moment to arrive, will be held accountable.

*
We reject the idea that honoring the founding principles of our country is controversial. We believe in the inherent human dignity of all people. No longer will we submit our children, our family, our friends and ourselves as a political tool for any Party or ideology. A new day has arrived.

*

As for the principles themselves - which I fully endorse and believe should be self-evident if one truly believes in the United States Constitution - read as follows:

*

1. Full civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals must be enacted now. Delay and excuses are no longer acceptable.

*
2. We will not leave any part of our community behind.
*

3. Separate is never equal.

*

4. Religious beliefs are not a basis upon which to affirm or deny civil rights.
*

5. The establishment and guardianship of full civil rights is a non-partisan issue.
*

6. Individual involvement and grassroots action are paramount to success and must be encouraged.
*

7. Success is measured by the civil rights we all achieve, not by words, access or money raised.
*

8. Those who seek our support are expected to commit to these principles.

*

I applaud the work of this group and those who would like to endorse these principles can do so here.