Gay Ally Congressman John Lewis at Equality Alabama

I have mentioned before that right out of law school I worked for a large law firm in Mobile, Alabama. In the intervening years since I left Mobile, Alabama has gone from conservative to near bat shit crazy both in terms of homophobia and Christian Right insanity. One only need think of former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore to see the insanity that has become so wide spread. Indeed, Alabama makes Virginia seem almost gay-friendly in comparison. Thus, it was great to read about Congressman Lewis' no holds barred support for LGBT equality at the recent Equality Alabama Gala. My blogger friend Pam Spaulding was at the event and has some great coverage of the event and Lewis' strongly worded message of support. Here are some highlights from her reflections:

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It was an amazing evening with many old and new friends at Equality Alabama's Gala Saturday night. The highlight was keynote speaker Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), who is a native of Troy, Alabama. His played a legendary fearless role in the civil rights struggles of the 60s -- and he is man who believes in LGBT civil equality with equal conviction -- he immediately signed on to DOMA repeal legislation.

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This is significant in a day when there is a clear dearth of support in the religious black community; Lewis has the moral standing that a homophobe in the pulpit like Bishop Harry Jackson can never touch. John Lewis took batons to the head, was beaten to unconsciousness multiple times for equality -- courage and moral conviction that Jackson and his fellow charlatans of bigotry are bereft of.

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But perhaps the most powerful message was to those in the LGBT community who are waiting for equality to come to them -- Lewis charged us to seize the moment, do not accept being told to wait your turn, to demand your rights through your representative, and most of all take personal responsibility -- the message we all heard was loud and clear. Too many LGBTs are in the closet waiting for someone else to do the heavy lifting and LEAD. We are all capable of leading by kicking that closet door open. The main meat of the speech begins around 5:00 -- and you will want to hear it all. The man had the audience spellbound.

[T]here is no excuse for our so-called leaders, our elected representatives who say they are our allies but lack the political spine to do the right thing [who] should watch this speech as required education. But we also noted to one another that even more critical was Lewis's call to you - those of us who rail about what someone else can do to lead or move the ball forward and don't step up, or take even small steps to be interested in determining the fate of your civil rights. Where is the fire in the belly of our movement?

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Will the people who attend the National Equality March really go home and participate in the more mundane but equally important ways to move equality forward with the same level of enthusiasm that motivates and energizes them to go to DC in the first place?

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Moving the movement forward does include small things. On a personally level, at last night's Hampton History Museum soiree - which was a huge success - the boyfriend and I did not hide our relationship in the least as we had some of the main movers and shakers in the city in the house and backyard. Moreover, I did not discern the least bit of rejection of us as a committed gay couple. Being out and comfortable with who you are does make an impact even if ones doesn't believe so. By simple actions we can change hearts and minds.