Today is one heck of an amazing day. Why is that? Today is the National Equality March in Washington, DC. No longer sparse events scattered throughout the country fighting for equality, but one large gathering from all stretches of the nation on the footsteps of those who can take action against the gross discrimination that we as LGBT people endure.
Among them, our president.
Put aside whether you think he’s moved fast enough or not, the very fact that he showed up at the HRC dinner last night and spoke is monumental. To speak out in favor of equal rights as freely and openly as he did on video, broadcast around the world, is nothing short of brave and commendable. Keep in mind, the only power President Obama has to change laws is to influence Congress to pass laws. And he clearly sent that message last night.
Then there is Lady Gaga. This is a woman who has fought for her celebrity status for years and only just obtained it. And, unlike so many people in the spotlight, she is ready and willing to put everything she has on the line to see bigotry come to a halt. Could it be that she is the ideal we should all strive to be? Not in the pop-icon-weird-as-heck kind of way, but in that she defies labels. She steps over everyone who stands in her way. She does what she herself things is right and beautiful. Whether you like her style or her music, you cannot disagree that she is a force, and to many, a hero. Her rendition of John Lennon’s classic, Imagine, is a tear-worthy and appropriate update to one of the past century’s most gorgeous and touching songs. I’ve watched it a few times now, and every time she sings “And only Matthew in the sky” I begin crying. Can she license the track and release it? I would pay $20 just for the one song if I knew the money went somewhere worthy.
Thank you to everyone who is in Washington today, marching for the people I love.
Did you know that 13% of human deaths are caused by cancer?
How about the fact that some 200 million people in Africa are malnourished?
And get this… 18 people were murdered in Chicago in the one-week period between June 29 and July 6.
Why is it then that there is a website devoted to stopping Willis Group from renaming the Sears Tower? This is almost as mind-boggling as the people who have picketed Macy’s for renaming Marshall Field’s. Folks – it’s a building. A well-known, iconic building, sure, but still just a building. There are bigger fish to fry here.
If you want to stay local, how about picketing City Hall for allowing that LAZ Parking takeover of Chicago’s parking meter system to go through. Or actually making some noise about the large number of other corrupt actions our government has taken. You could sign a petition or call your senator and encourage them to pass the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Protection Act, otherwise known as the Matthew Shepard Act, without any amendments. There are so many worthy causes that would make a real difference.
But people are taking action to stop a deal that has brought a large tenant to a very vacant Chicago landmark because it involves changing the name. Personally, I’m ready and willing to sacrifice the sign outside the Sears/Willis Tower in exchange for a business deal that will help boost our local economy.