48 Hours Later...
Monday, September 28, 2009 5:14AM
It's hard to believe it's been almost exactly 48 hours since I first sat down in my bed to write about what happened late Friday night. Never in my life did I expect to be a victim of a hate crime. Never in my life did I expect to see my friends hurt before my eyes, simply because we're gay. Never in my life did I expect to be so disappointed by the police we had called for help.
Yet, never in my life have I felt so empowered.
Thanks to the 12,000 times this blog has been viewed since me and my friends were assaulted, I have connected with some amazing people:
A kid in Brooklyn, asking about my coming out story, and if the buses to D.C. for the Equality March will be wheelchair-accessible.
A couple who made some calls on our behalf and sent "big gay hugz" from Vermont.
A man suffering from AIDS in California who was beaten beyond recognition a couple years ago, who is already planning to come to D.C. with his husband.
These are the people we are standing up for. These are the people who need a voice bigger than their own. These are the people who have touched me profoundly in these 48 hours. I will remember this weekend for the rest of my life, as a weekend that changed my life; as the weekend I was inspired to demand change.
I am inspired by New York City Council Speaker Christine J. Quinn, who has already demanded an investigation into the NYPD's handling of our assault.
I am inspired by the incredible outpouring of support from friends, family, and even strangers. I'm inspired by my conservative Republican uncle in Connecticut, who was one of the first to call, make sure I'm ok, and encourage me to "keep doing the right thing" by spreading the word.
I am inspired by the straight professor from New Mexico, who was outraged and promised equality would always be a prerequisite in his curriculum.
And I am inspired by a mother from Alabama who wrote me after her son told her what happened to us. She was appalled by this man's anger, saying "he will not ever be anyone's hero, but because of this situation... you might be."
Stand tall with us, make your voice heard, and join this fight. EQUALITY FOR ALL!