ACT UP 2.0 FORMING

The following is an e-mail response to veteran Gay journalist Rex Wockner, which Wockner shared on his "Newsclips" mailing list:

Rex,

Thanks again for reaching out to us! Here's a note from me and Robin about the retreat&

Over the last year and a half, we have met some incredible folks in California in the aftermath of Prop 8 and nationally through our work on the National Equality March. Since the march last October, we have continued building on those relationships and discussing strategies to move forward in the struggle for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer rights.

Over the last four days we gathered at the historic Highlander Center in Tennessee with 45 activists from across the country who are sick of delays, compromises and excuses. Some who joined us have been activists for many years; some are new to the movement - all brought a vast depth of knowledge and a readiness to fight for a more just and equal world for all. Some have worked on national LGBTQ issues, such as ACT UP, Equality Across America and Join the Impact; some were connected to organizations outside of LGBTQ rights, such as PETA, Presente.org, Unite Here, Colorofchange.org, Greenpeace, etc. In our outreach we purposefully looked for those who were supporting and advocating for LGBTQ working people, communities of color, and Trans rights.

We had one thing on our agenda: Discuss ways to build a national network of activists to demand full equality now. We believe that it is time to escalate our demands through coordinated nationwide nonviolent direct action, and we hope to build a broad base of organizers to work with all who struggle for justice and dignity in their lives.

We know that many people across the country feel the same way, and that many have been actively working within their own communities for a long time. The Highlander Center can comfortably accommodate about 35 people, and we broke those limits because we wanted more people to participate in the conversation. We had no secrets, only limited space and resources, and a very short time to organize this retreat. We wish we could have invited thousands.

We want to work with everyone to help inspire our community to bold action. We want to be what Kate Bornstein described as "an unpredictable outspoken force," and we want everyone at the table - no matter the sex, gender, race, class, look, age, ability, religion, family status, citizenship, class, and everything in between. We want to make the White House and Congress take notice. And we want everyone who stands in the way of full equality to be held accountable and wonder what just hit them.

We wish every voice could have been present at the Highlander Center this week, but that was neither a beginning or an end to the conversation....

With hope and love,

Robin McGehee and Kip Williams



SEATTLE OUT AND PROUD DEFENDS PRIDE PARADE THEME

A letter to SeattleOUTprotest Coalition:

Thank you for your letter regarding the 2010 Seattle Pride parade theme.

Our theme actually is "We Are ALL American," an inherently political reference and metaphor that, as you correctly note in your letter, alludes to inclusivity. However, the inclusivity for which we march and that our theme addresses is that of our rights as American citizens. Pride is a political free speech event wherein We the People petition our legislators in Olympia and Washington, D.C. to redress a wrong. We do not, during the Pride Parade, focus on global LGBT victories, however brilliant, nor do we address a non-existent world body that has no effect on US laws.

Neither are our Pride themes afterthoughts; in fact, the 2010 theme was selected over one year in advance with an eye to the anger and continuing aftermath of Prop 8 as well as concern over the then-looming Ref 71 battle, DADT and ENDA. Also, the 2010 theme was first publically announced at last year's Pride on June 28 in a full-page color ad in the widely distributed Pride Guide. Additionally, we have commitments to our sponsors and our grand marshals that are directly tied to the implementation of this theme.

Our board is highly sympathetic to the immigration (and myriad other) issues facing our LGBT brethren. Board member Mark Chavez and I, both Latinos, are immigrants and now citizens of America. It troubles us that LGBT people, denied equal rights, are unable to marry their loved ones and so receive the identical immigration benefits enjoyed by heterosexuals. This injustice will immediately be remedied once ALL American citizens are finally granted equal standing under the law.

The theme and art for the event conveys the message that the iconography of the American flag is imbued with the many colors of diversity (see website www.seattlepride.org) that represent the vast melting pot that comprise the people of America. I invite your group to help us take back the word American from xenophobes who would divide us and help us infuse it with the original intent of justice and equality guaranteed all American citizens in our Constitution.

I assure you that this year we march in solidarity with all facets of the LGBT community in demanding that our government recognize that Separate is Not Equal.

Jon Mejia, secretary of Seattle Out and Proud

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Rex,

Thanks again for reaching out to us! Here's a note from me and Robin about the retreat&

Over the last year and a half, we have met some incredib" /> Share on MySpace!

Rex,

Thanks again for reaching out to us! Here's a note from me and Robin about the retreat&

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