I think the point is Phil WASN'T contacted by anyone. They just added his name to the list, which is a professionally inappropriate way for them to work.

Anyways, Phil this article doesn't sound like you. It seems more like you're losing your voice as you're trying to walk this fine line that you were forced into.

I think we need to be focusing on these smaller local issues. I would love it to see Jones take that march right on up to Maine. Now that would be the right march to make and then he'd finally have my support.

Hi All,

Thanks for your enthusiasim.
For another perspective, check out my 5 Concerns about the March For Equality.

Phil - thanks for plugging the local battles. I have, in my abrasive little posts, been trying to call attention to the importance of the battles in Maine and Washington state, but what I'm seeing day after day on virtually all the major lgbt websites is that 'the community' is focused on the march, with precious little attention left over for the state referenda. And today's installment of Bil's interview with Cleve Jones has totally disheartened me. It sounded as if Cleve considers Maine not just an annoying distraction, but an unworthy endeavor.

I gave one week of my salary to the "No on 1" folks in mid-August. And I was watching the TBP contribution gauge in the sidebar and planning to use that as the vehicle for a second installment when my September paycheck arrived. But I'm now convinced that it would be throwing good money after bad.

Why are we fighting internally when there are more obvious enemies elsewhere?

I have know Phil Reese for going on eight years now. In that time, I have found him to be an active and enthusiastic voice in the quest for gay rights, and his momentum in this movement has only increased during his post-grad years. Personally, I worked with him in our university's gay/straight alliance in which we promoated the group through a variety for membership drives and social events, participated on a speakers panal relaying our coming out stories to a variety of classes to make others aware of our existance and concerns, canvased for GSA events including our gay and lesbian movie festival and guest speaker panals, and he personally spent countless hours planning for and putting in to action our Pride Week events including speakers, a banquet, a march, etc, and in addition, we were very closely with the department of multicultural studies to raise awareness of our diverse gay and lesbian culture and make know coming out effects those of diffent backgrounds. So to say that Phil Reese has done nothing for the movement is slanderous, cruel, and unwarrented, and the comments made against him were clearly made out of spite and insecruity in being a do-nothing themselves. Though he did not originally back the march personally in the beginning, it was only because he takes a "think globally, start locally" attitude. If you want to affect change; start where you live. If everyone does that, it will start to affect the whole. I personally am torn on the idea whether the equality march is a great idea. On one hand, marches are not cheap, far from, and wouldn't that money be better spent supporting local chapter of HRC, school GSA progams, GLESEN, and other glbt programs that function on a local or state level? On the other hand, the march would bring a great many people together and as history tells us, there is strength in numbers. A million voices is certainly louder than just one.

In closing, I would like to say that this is not the time for petty bickering and caddiness; we, as the GLBT community, need to be on the same team. If we start bicerking amongst ourselves, what does that accomplish? Percisely nothing. Divded everything that we have worked for for decades ( gay marriage, adoption rights, overturning don't ask/don't tell, domestic partner benefits, etc.) will crumble and fall apart if we do. We all have our differant interests, causes within the whole, and changes we want to see, but the fact remains that each and every one of those things is a part of the bigger picture and working together is the only way for all of those dreams to become realities.

Wow! Can I just send a virtual *HUG* to Phil?! I think back to when I met him years ago. I was an undergraduate just wanting to finish college. I would not have become involved or active in any manner if I had not met Phil. His enthusiasm and positive attitude made me feel welcome and helped me find my own voice. When I realized years later we again wound up in the same geographical location I was thrilled! I knew I had a go-to guy when I was ready to let my voice be heard again. Not all of us are willing to stand on the front lines, not all of us are ready to post and be heard and march. Some of us seek hope in others. Some of us are better at supporting those who support a good cause. Some of us are glad to have a friend like Phil who will go out there and work at something for the rest of us! Discrimination is discrimination. I can not even imagine trying to compare who was/is discriminated against more or worse. How does anyone else know that the way they were discriminated against hurt them more than the way I was. Of course there are the big issues out there. The major events that happen. But when we are essentially working towards the same goals how can we waste time fighting with those on our side?

I just wanted to add my comments about Nakhone Keodara. I have known Nakhone for awhile and I know that he is a very, very passionate person for not only gay rights, but human rights and he works tirelessly to do his best to make this a better world for everyone. I hope that all people who are working for gay rights can work together in harmony, that way more progress will be made.

Tristam thats great of you!

But as far as people forgetting about the other "fights" I don;t think that the Mrach does that. As far as taking valuab;e resources away perhaps but I am sure people know what they can afford and they are not taking away from one to go to another. That imagining is as bad as a Public Option will lead to Universal health Care. You really don;t know and one does not lead to another.

As far as Queerty I would actually put them as NUMBER 1 Public Enemy. hauslaub and his minions have been bad mouthing and slamming the March for months for no toher reason as to create controversy and get people to read Queerty which is beginning to fail miserably.

And Frankly Phil I could care less if you endorse it or not even reluctantly after the point. I don't your endorsement is going to get anyone to go thats not planning too.

If your mistaken endorsement is such a HUGE THING take it to Cleve. Because personally I am about sick of negative nellies. Right now ANY PLAN or ACTION that can help futher our cause is a good one. We need to support each other instead of being back biting sniping bitches, (Except for Joe Solomese. Please feel free to trash that overpaid sucker into eternity.)