John Edwards visits LA Gay and Lesbian Center...
Got a note a little while again from Lorri Jean who wanted to share a little bit about meeting Presidential candidate John Edwards yesterday and giving him a tour of the Center including the Jeffrey Goodman Special Care Clinic, pharmacy and 24-bed transitional living program for homeless youth.
She believes Edward's visit is the first time during the current presidential campaign that one of the viable candidates has visited a GLBT organization. "We talked about the Center’s programs, who we serve, our history and current health issues facing our community," Jean said. "At the end of the tour, I talked to Senator Edwards about the freedom to marry."
Jean told Edwards that the LA Center is not "a typical social services organization. It is true that most of the problems our clients face are exacerbated by poverty. In that regard, we experience every single day the two Americas that you talk about. That’s why so much of what you are saying on the campaign trail resonates so strongly with us. But there’s another factor that distinguishes us from typical social services agencies: most of the problems our clients face are problems caused by a homophobic society. A society that tells us from our youngest days—from the first moment we have any inkling of such things--that we are wrong, sick, bad…even evil, and that we deserve to be discriminated against.'
Jean also said: “This impacts everything about our health—our mental health, our physical health, substance abuse, homelessness, HIV and more. So, part of our mission has always been to fight for a society where social and economic justice is a reality—including full and complete equality. The fact is that the distance is not that great between ‘Homosexuals should not be allowed to marry’ and ‘Son, if you’re a homosexual, you’re not welcome in our house. Get out.’ Political leaders who support discrimination against us give cover for other kinds of anti-gay bigotry. I am yearning for the day when a viable Presidential candidate—a candidate like you—will have courage to lead and to clearly and unequivocally say that my people are also entitled to participate in the promise of America, including the freedom the marry. I ask you to seriously consider being that person.”
She reports that Edwards listened intently and he took the whole discussion "very well."
"He thanked me for the “fine and very important work” that our staff is doing. We also talked about the fact that his wife just came out in support of the freedom to marry while speaking at a gay pride event in San Francisco on Friday. We can only hope that Mr. Edwards will not be far behind in getting to the right place and perhaps his visit will inspire the other candidates we’ve invited to say yes."
Greg Hernandez has covered the entertainment industry for the Daily
News since 2001. He's considered a bit odd by some for his obsession
with box office numbers, has been known to camp out near the kitchen
at premieres for first crack at the hors d'oeurves, and Greg's never
seen a red carpet he didn't want to stroll down.
Comments
There is an interesting story in Boston's online resource, Edge, regarding homophobia in homeless shelters and the impact on gay teens. This is powerful stuff.
Check it out at: http://www.edgeboston.com/
Posted by: Erica | July 24, 2007 10:41 AM