If you have read this blog in the past, then you know how often I tell you to know your history and appreciate those who came before us that made it possible for us to have the rights we have today. I also have talked about Harvey Milk alot too. Well, I finally went to see the movie Milk today! I know, I know…you would have thought I would have gone the night it opened, but I didn’t. I wish I would have because then I could have joined my fellow activists with Impact Cincinnati! Better late than never right?

I knew going into the theater that I would get emotional. I knew what to expect…I mean, I knew the story behind it. But when you watch this story on the big screen there was something more moving than just knowing the story. More than just knowing who Harvey Milk was and the changes he made. I never realized it before, but to me, Harvey Milk WAS the start of the Gay Movement. The things he did, the risks he took and the passion he had for you and for me is just amazing. He was…no, he IS the Martin Luther King for our community.

As I sat watching the movie, what brought me to tears wasn’t only because of his untimely and unnecessary death, but also for the “what might have beens”. Where would we be today if Harvey Milk were still alive? What rights would we have today if he had been able to continue his crusade for equal rights? Would we live in a safer country? Could we walk down the street showing affection with each other without fear? Would those who have died because of hatred and ignorance still be alive today? These questions will go unanswered. But after those questions went through my mind, I realized something. Harvey Milk is still alive. He is within all of us who want to be treated with fairness and equality. Harvey Milk started out just like you and me. The only difference is that he had the courage to stand up and say, “Hope will never be silent.”

The movement is still alive. We are still fighting. We still deserve equal rights. Here are some comparisons to what was happening then and what’s happening now:

1. Anita Bryan and John Briggs were then like how we now view the Morman Church (and George Bush).

2. Prop 6 (Employment and Housing rights) was the same as our fight today with Prop 8.

3. The marches, protests, chants and the struggles then are like the protests we have been involved with today over Prop 8 and all the other anti-gay legislatures today.

4. Mayor Moscone was a supporter then as is Mayor Newsome today.

5. There was hatred and ignorance then just as there still is today.

6. As for Harvey Milk…well, we are still waiting for another leader like him.

I took my brother with me. Last minute thing. I was going to go by myself and then since he’s in town for the holiday he decided to go with me. Being that he lives in Miami, FL I don’t see him but once a year and its been that way pretty much for the past 10 years. So I thought this would be a good opportunity for him to maybe understand me better, I don’t know. After the movie was over, I asked him what he thought. His answer didn’t surprise me, but I was slightly irritated. He said, “There were a lot of kissing scenes and nudity.” WTF? That was the impression left with him?? Well, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt, he’s straight and sheltered. My response to him was, “There was a lot less kissing and nudity than most other movies!” He didn’t have a response to that…probably because he knew I’d made a great point.

So, my take on the movie? GO SEE IT!!! And as I’ve said many times before…know your history. Understand the struggles that happened in the past so that we can move forward today and in the future. And don’t just think that someone else will help make change happen. Change starts with you. If you want to keep up with whats going on around Cincinnati and our fight here locally, then visit www.impactcincinnati.com.

I guess it just comes down to how much equal rights mean to you and if you’re willing to make an impact. Not just for you, but for your friends, family, your children and all the others who will come after us. Let’s work now to get what we all deserve…Equal Rights.

Please go to www.julietandjuliett.com and listen to the audio tape that Harvey Milk made in the event of his death. And if you are thinking that you don’t want to get involved…maybe this will help you to see how much we need you and how much our community needs you. Don’t let the dream of Harvey’s message go unheard. Stand up and fight for your rights. The rights that you deserve…that we all deserve.