Its almost Thanksgiving Day and I realize that I have almost completed my first year at the Triangle Foundation. No, I didn't mean that to sound like a prison sentence at all. Although, some folks might say they have escaped from "T" block. My work is far from torture; Triangle Foundation is a great place to work with an amazing crew of people. The crew includes staff, trustees, former staff, volunteers and community members. Once you become associated with Triangle, its hard to break free. However, most people don't want to.
As such, I am having a great time working as an lgbt advocate in the state of Michigan. One aspect of the work that always shows up is the variety of the lgbtq community. As I think of Thanksgiving, I think of the variety of foods I will indulge: turkey, cabbage, ribs, spinach, tamales, greens, menudo, oysters, green beans, etc. This list is like the rich ethnic and racial diversity in our community including the Chippewa Indians, south Asians, Armenians, Irish, Ottawa Indians, Puerto Ricans, Italians, etc. Dont forget our Political varieties, from republicans to democrats to the "straight b____ who support lgbt rights" [honest, I saw this sign at the March in DC]. We run the spectrum of class differences. Even gender identity and appearance covers a huge cross section of difference within our community.
The one issue we all of hold in common, that keeps us together, is equality. We want to be governed fairly with the ability to love whomever we love to create our families. I work for equality for us all. No matter who you are in our mish-mash of alphabets, I work to create a better future for you.
Because of our differences, some of you may disagree with my methods on this journey to equality. Even so, I will not apologize for engaging people who support lesbians, gay, bisexuals and transgender people. I will not apologize for working with organization that believe LGBT people should lives free from violence and discrimination.
What I will do during this Thanksgiving, as I think of all of you who supported Triangle Foundation this year, for those who allowed me to do this work, I want to say "Thank You". I can't say thank you enough. Thank you for sending in donations, for spending your time licking envelopes, for passing out literature, for sending email or making phone calls to your legislative representatives.
Thank you for talking to your parents and your friends about the community. Thank you for insisting that your kids' teacher send letters home to both same gender parents. Thank you for calling us and reporting the incidents that you witness. Thank you for wanting equality as much as we do.
Have a Great Thanksgiving,
Alicia
Monday, November 23, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
No way Wood TV
We are under attack in Michigan because we are getting closer to equality. Anti-gay and anti-equality organizations will continue with attempts to vilify our community in every way imaginable. The AFA just failed just failed in their most recent attempt – thanks to you. The American Family Association planned to air an anti-gay special titled “Speechless – the Silencing of Christians” on WOOD-TV, the local NBC station in Grand Rapids. Your recent outpouring of opposition to the hate-filled propaganda that the AFA would have been allowed to broadcast resulted in WOOD-TV pulling the show. This great response from residents of Michigan proves what can happen when we work together for progress. It also proves that activism is alive and well in Michigan.
Activism is also alive and well at the Triangle Foundation. We are in Lansing on a daily basis working on the anti-hate crime bill, anti-bullying bill, and other issues pertinent to equal treatment in our community. Triangle knows the issues and that there are no easy solutions. We critically examine every aspect of every issue so that we know the strengths and weaknesses at every step in this process. We do this for the future equality of every LGBT person in Michigan. There are sensationalists out there attempting to make you believe that Triangle’s efforts are minimal. But we all know that is far from the truth.
Our work on the LGBT community’s behalf spreads throughout the state of Michigan. Triangle Foundation provides direct services to victims of anti-LGBT violence, vandalism, discrimination and harassment, as well as to LGBT victims of domestic violence. We help people find adequate resources to heal from the trauma of victimization; accompany victims to hospitals, police interviews and court so that they are not alone in their quest for justice; we provide assistance to family and friends of victims; we provide crisis counseling; and Triangle provides referrals to LGBT-sensitive attorneys, mental health professionals and social service agencies. We try to make sure that every victim in need knows they are not alone.
When you need care, Triangle walks with you every step of the journey. When you need a voice across the state, Triangle speaks to the interest of the community and our allies. Our network of allies grows stronger each day. Additionally, recognize that we work collaboratively with every major LGBT group in the state to make change happen.
Support the Triangle Foundation. Help us drive to court dates. Help us keep the lights on and the heat flowing. Help us pay the employees who meet with our state representatives in Lansing and who take care of our community when met with harm. Send in your donations today. Triangle depends on individual donations from all of you. Give in any amount you can give - $5,000 or $500 or $50. Give monthly if you can; we need your continuous support. You can make a conbution by going to: https://secure.ga3.org/05/trianglefoundation_donationpage
Triangle Foundation accomplishes all of this even while we are in transition. You will see more change that will strengthen the organization and the community. So keep supporting our efforts while we continue to do the work. Please continue to stand strong for equal rights in Michigan. Please continue to stand strong for the Triangle Foundation.
stay tuned for more T,
Alicia
Activism is also alive and well at the Triangle Foundation. We are in Lansing on a daily basis working on the anti-hate crime bill, anti-bullying bill, and other issues pertinent to equal treatment in our community. Triangle knows the issues and that there are no easy solutions. We critically examine every aspect of every issue so that we know the strengths and weaknesses at every step in this process. We do this for the future equality of every LGBT person in Michigan. There are sensationalists out there attempting to make you believe that Triangle’s efforts are minimal. But we all know that is far from the truth.
Our work on the LGBT community’s behalf spreads throughout the state of Michigan. Triangle Foundation provides direct services to victims of anti-LGBT violence, vandalism, discrimination and harassment, as well as to LGBT victims of domestic violence. We help people find adequate resources to heal from the trauma of victimization; accompany victims to hospitals, police interviews and court so that they are not alone in their quest for justice; we provide assistance to family and friends of victims; we provide crisis counseling; and Triangle provides referrals to LGBT-sensitive attorneys, mental health professionals and social service agencies. We try to make sure that every victim in need knows they are not alone.
When you need care, Triangle walks with you every step of the journey. When you need a voice across the state, Triangle speaks to the interest of the community and our allies. Our network of allies grows stronger each day. Additionally, recognize that we work collaboratively with every major LGBT group in the state to make change happen.
Support the Triangle Foundation. Help us drive to court dates. Help us keep the lights on and the heat flowing. Help us pay the employees who meet with our state representatives in Lansing and who take care of our community when met with harm. Send in your donations today. Triangle depends on individual donations from all of you. Give in any amount you can give - $5,000 or $500 or $50. Give monthly if you can; we need your continuous support. You can make a conbution by going to: https://secure.ga3.org/05/trianglefoundation_donationpage
Triangle Foundation accomplishes all of this even while we are in transition. You will see more change that will strengthen the organization and the community. So keep supporting our efforts while we continue to do the work. Please continue to stand strong for equal rights in Michigan. Please continue to stand strong for the Triangle Foundation.
stay tuned for more T,
Alicia
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