It sounds like you have really been on the inside of some very important developments, Cathy. I particularly value your opinion, as an insider, that how we do advocacy is going to change. I think that our advocacy efforts, while creditable in many ways, really do need to change if we are to start moving the ship of state in the right direction. I think there's a place for both marketing and movement and grassroots, and they can complement one another. Some people say we must remain ideologically pure, but the truth is we have to get everyone and everything we have on board, or little else will happen in LGBT rights.

I think what we've been seeing is something those of us who've been around for a while knew was coming sooner or later: HRC's fall from political power and influence fueled by the LGBT community's popular rejection of their completely ineffective (to the point of sometimes even detrimental) advocacy style.

It's interesting, y'know? Those of us who were too young to appreciate the political revolution and rejection of the establishment of the 60's and early 70's when it was happening are now getting a chance to experience what that was like, with HRC and similar groups representing the antiquated establishment viewpoint and its politics, and UnitedENDA and other like-minded coalitions representing the young, loyal, and progressive opposition.

That's what I'm looking for most in 2010, for our community to finish its reorganization and power restructuring at the top and for the movement as a whole to become more cohesive in our goals and in our efforts.

I'm hoping that 2010 is the year that activists and LGBT's get past the idea that it's about any individual subgroup or about any particular organization, and start working on LGBT equality from a holistic perspective, one which by its nature precludes the notion of any group of American citizens being left without basic civil rights as others are granted theirs.

I guess what I'm hoping is that 2010 is the year we all figure out how to work together to create positive change, before its too late.

Yeah, I want 2009 gone. I had four friends die this year, one by his own hand. My favorite aunt is dying of terminal cancer and another very close friend, and well-known trans man, Maxwell Anderson, is in the hospital with an inoperable brain tumor and is not expected to see 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHEod3CGskg

But, I now have a girlfriend who I love and adore deeply and who loves me more than any girlfriend I have ever had. I have made many new friends, some from right here on Bilerico. Cathy, I am so happy I can count you as one of my new friends. A Happy New Year to you and your lovely family.

Rebecca Juro:

That's what I'm looking for most in 2010, for our community to finish its reorganization and power restructuring at the top and for the movement as a whole to become more cohesive in our goals and in our efforts."

I think many people share this sentiment. I don't think the community has even begun to reorganize or become more cohesive. The reason is we have a lack of new ideas and innovation. It is always the same "tried and untrue" ideas. 2009 felt a lot like 1992, Clinton's first year in office. HRC is still the same - even after 28 years and $550 million. GLAAD has millions in funding, but their "purpose" has been assumed by bloggers. NGLTF is still "training" advocates, but not inspiring anyone.

While the author is busy promoting her business and that's understandable, what about 2010? What about the new ideas or an actual strategy to win?

The LGBT Community needs to be inspired and our dysfunctional movement needs to be re-ignited. This will only happen with a plan to win. Only 1 out of 10 people in our community participates or contributes. That fact should encourage all of us to recognize that we do not have a strategy or plan and to be painfully honest about our future. We have been doing the same things, with the same groups, for decades - and we have little to show for it.

2010 must be the year we let go of the past (and all the tired tactics) and we seek a real strategy to create our equality. In order to do this, everything and everyone must be held accountable. This sleepy idea of "incrementalism," with the uninspiring goal of "one of the days" isn't enough.

If we truly want equality, we will need to create it. Our movement has never been focused on that goal. There will not be a political or legal solution. Our "demands," no matter what the volume, will not liberate us. HRC (and others making a living off our struggle) and their millions in contributions, will not deliver equality.

In 2010 we need to figure out how to create our equality. I suggest we start from scratch. I suggest we objectively analyze ALL efforts and account for ALL our resources. We need a new direction and we can start by learning to let go of organizations and ideas that have had decades to deliver, but haven't produced.