Our GSA members were asked to speak at the State Capitol, again, and our representative was one of a handful of speakers supporting Senate Bill 100 which would extend housing and employment protection to LGBT citizens and those merely perceived to be LGBT. Four GSA members were able to attend this mid-day event. (Thank you!)
Links to media coverage:
Fox 13 News - video and short article
4Utah - video and article
Deseret News - article and 27 photos
Times Union - article and 6 photos
Our rep's speech:
I'm [ ] and I am a part - perhaps a small part - of the Gay-Straight Alliance club in [ ]. I'm sort-of like the unofficial bouncer, due to my height; and the unofficial LGBT+ historian, due to my fascination with everything historical. Though, most of the credit for starting the GSA should go to the notable students who fought fiercely for the club's institution: students like [ ], [ ], [ ], and [ ], among others; the faculty advisers: [ ] and [ ]; and the official club mom: [ ]; I like to think that I am a small but important part in our small but growing club.
When our GSA first was coalescing little more than a year ago, [historically] we faced an uphill battle against the ingrained prejudices at the heart of Utah county. Prior to our current club’s foundation there were many attempts at establishing a GSA. Though their teachers supported them, multiple times were the requisite signatures and club constitutions obtained in order to be approved as an official club. Multiple times were these very signatures and constitutions lost, misplaced, or invalidated on a technicality. And multiple times were the GSA member hopefuls forced to wait yet another year to start anew, as the deadline for club registration had passed in our school district.
When the efforts to start the GSA succeeded last year partially due to a change in administration and the changing tides of history, we knew there would be a tough time gaining the favor of our classmates. Indeed, when we put up signs and posters throughout our school to try and spread the word of our new club, many were torn down, drawn on, or otherwise vandalized by prejudiced individuals, as what might be expected coming from Utah county.
But, after our first wave of posters, and progressing thereafter exponentially, most who once possessed a hate within their hearts for our club became more and more ambivalent and apathetic towards our club's existence. And those who were once on-the-fence regarding the GSA, became more and more accepting and promoting of the club. Though we are still a long way away from the goal of complete equality for all and the elimination of all forms of hate and discrimination, we have nevertheless made significant strides toward fighting inequality in our school and neighborhood.
Despite the local success of our GSA, we impact only a small area in Utah, let alone the U.S. or the World. Which is why larger-scale, affirmative, juridical actions desperately need to be taken to end discrimination of all kinds. Just as our club of no more than twenty people influence the culture of a school of two thousand, so-too will Utah's population of two million be influenced by a couple thousand determined volunteers.
The suffix "anti" is from the Greek for "against." Which is why anyone who is against the unjust discrimination of people - people just like everyone else, ought to be for the "Anti"-discrimination bill. I want to live in a country - and a world for that matter - in which everyone is "Anti"-discrimination. I want to live in a world where everyone can safely enjoy the comforts and security of indoors; where everyone is judged in their workplace by the quality of their work, and the content of their character; and everyone is equal under the gaze of the law. In order to accomplish this noble and worthy goal, all of us need to let all our voices be heard. Only then can we end discrimination.
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The Capitol 13 invite you to return to the Utah State Capitol, “Louder Than a Lion!” Wednesday March 5th, at 12:30pm in the Rotunda.
72 percent of Utahns support a statewide nondiscrimination bill, yet Senate leadership has decided that they will not hear SB100. We’ve posted notes, we’ve emailed, we’ve lobbied, we’ve had town halls, heck, some of us have even been arrested!
They remain unmoved.
How do we win equal protection for all LGBT Utahns? We joyfully raise our voice and shake loose the dome! Join us on March 5th as we send a message to the Legislature that Utah’s indefatigable LGBT family is here to stay!
“You hear my voice, you hear that sound
Like thunder gonna shake the ground!”
Speakers will include members of The Capitol 13, Equality Utah, the American Fork GSA and Senator Jim Dabakis.
Bring your love, bring your family, bring your voice.
ROAR!
We stand as One Utah, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for ALL.
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| Image Credit: abstract dot desktopnexus dot com |
