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December 17, 2008
The Silver Lining
The storm cloud was the passage of Prop
8. The hope of total equality for all
LGBT Americans seemed more distant than
we had previously thought. And, very
many people gay and straight alike were
left searching and wondering how this
could possibly have happened in the
world of 2008.
Now only a little more than a month
since the passage of Prop 8, there is
hope. This hope does not rest in the
California Supreme Court which may find
Prop 8 unconstitutional. This hope does
not even rest in the possibility that
the United States Supreme Court could
find Prop 8 unconstitutional, although
that would be liberating. The greatest
hope is that the passage of Prop 8 has
generated enthusiasm, purpose, new
energy and leadership among a whole new
generation of LGBT Americans and our
straight allies.
The “silver lining” to the ominous storm
cloud is the awesome power unleashed by
a whole new generation of LGBT
Americans; Americans who never once
viewed themselves as being anything
other than full and equal citizens of
this Union. This generation has a
tremendous amount of energy, power and
enthusiasm to make their understanding
of America not just a dream and goal,
but the reality of America. This
generation will not settle for second
class citizenship, they have tasted
freedom and equality. And just as the
taste of freedom inspired millions
across the planet to bring down
oppression and literally tear down a
concrete wall, this is our hope. This is
the “silver lining”.
We have all shared in a long fight.
People before my generation suffered
more than what I could possibly fathom.
They sacrificed jobs, life and freedom,
fighting for a dream. All have fought
for the dream to become reality.
Cimarron is dedicated to embrace,
support and work as a team member in
this continued fight to make the goal
and dream of equality, reality. We
embrace and welcome a new generation of
LGBT Americans now inspired to fight,
not for rights which they never had, but
for rights which were taken away.
Cimarron can do many things to support
these new leaders and new organizations
in their efforts. This is the mission of
Cimarron to help build up the LGBT
community and support it through grants,
grass roots organization and many other
ways. New leaders and new organizations
will rise like a phoenix out of the
ashes of Prop 8. There is no time for
anyone of any generation to now rest; we
look forward to the newly inspired fight
for equality.
Working for a Fair and Just Oklahoma!
Richard C. Ogden
Chairperson
Cimarron Alliance Foundation
Reference Information
used is this letter:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/10/us/10marriage.html?_r=1&hp
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