Wake up Gaybies and My Rainbow Flag Waving Allies – We Have Work to Do.

Be Afraid for Yourself and Loved Ones. The Time is Upon Us.

Many Americans are seeing the gradual undermining of civil liberties with growing alarm. As someone who has lived through decades of LGBTQ+ history, I want to share my perspective on current threats facing marginalized communities. While some view my life as a privileged one, the reality for me and for many LGBTQ+ individuals has been far more challenging than appearances might suggest.

Driving a nice car, riding horses, and living in a nice home might suggest that my life was a path paved with gold, but that is not the case. For me and for many LGBTQ people, this golden road was paved with tears, frustration, and for some, even blood. The progress we've witnessed didn't happen spontaneously—it required decades of painful struggle, work, and sacrifice.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just three words but the keys that opened doors and kept many of us safe, not just in our jobs and homes but also in the streets. These principles, when implemented through policy and law, created tangible protections that transformed lives. These three words were bricks in our foundation of civil rights. They're gone now. Let this sink in.