Overturning DOMA is the fist step of many.

Just recently a whole new generation was turned on to one of the greatest gay rights activist in our history, Harvey Milk. Thanks to a little film called Milk where Sean Penn played Harvey people were once again reminded of the trials and triumphs Harvey faced in his time. It has been over 30 years now since Harvey was assassinated. Yet today we are still fighting the same battles Harvey was battling back then. It is true that LGBT people have won limited rights in a handful of states, but we are still seen as second class citizens throughout the United States.

Harvey once said, "It takes no compromising to give people their rights."

Earlier today I was informed that Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) introduced a bill into Congress to repeal the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act." If his bill passes through the Congress, Representative Nadler’s legislation would be a real big step forward in our battle for full equality. I applaud him in his efforts, but still believe that we must stop settling for compromises and half measures congress puts out about our equal rights.

When will people start to realize that equal rights are not just a "gay" issue, rather they are about our shared human rights: safety in our schools and jobs, equitable healthcare and housing, and protection for our families, to name a few.

Aren’t LGBT people guaranteed the same equal protection under the law by the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution as our straight counterparts? Our straight counterparts do not have to except compromises and half measures when it comes to their equal rights, so why should we settle for anything less. This is why I am marching on Washington next month. I am going to demand equal protection for all LGBT people under all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states and I want it now.

When Harvey spoke at Gay Freedom Day at San Francisco City Hall in 1978, he invoked the words of the Declaration of Independence: "All [people] are created equal. No matter how hard you try, you can never erase those words."

No more compromises. We are equal.

MJ

PS.... I know times are tough and we are in a recession,but brother or sister can you spare a dime? It's easy to do --- see the button that says donate under Join The Impact Chicago on the left side of your screen, just click it and donate. I am not asking for hundreds of dollars here, just a small donation. All the proceeds raised from this go directly to providing buses for the March on Washington. Even if you can't contribute very much, please remember that every little bit helps.

How much does it matter? That's for you to decide. In my opinion, there is nothing at stake here except our future.