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THE EQUALITY ISSUE With Articles Covering Unity in Community, Faces of Visibility, Building Alliances, Making the Case for Equality, Renaissance Man, Authoritarian vs Law, 1 Law | 6 States, Profiles, and more... KEVIN JENNINGS CEO of Lambda Legal Activist, Founder, and Community Leader4 EDITOR’S LETTER Dear Reader, In a year that feels both like a relentless storm and a fragile dawn, we find ourselves, as ever, at the heart of a fight. A fight for our right to exist, to love, to thrive, and to simply be. This isn’t just about headlines or legislative battles; it’s about the very fabric of our lives, the safety of our families, and the future we envision for generations to come. As you read this magazine, you hold a testament to our resilience, our unwavering spirit, and our collective power. We are not a monolith, but a vibrant tapestry of identities, experiences, and perspectives. We are queer, trans, non-binary, intersex, and everything in between. We are your neighbors, your colleagues, your friends, and your family. And we will not be erased. The current political climate is a stark reminder that our hard-won rights are not guaranteed. We see a surge in discriminatory legislation targeting trans youth, attempts to dismantle marriage equality, and a chilling rise in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. These attacks are not abstract; they have real-world consequences, creating a climate of fear and vulnerability, particularly for our most marginalized community members. But amidst the challenges, we see hope. We see it in the grassroots organizers tirelessly working to protect our rights. We see it in the brave individuals sharing their stories, challenging stereotypes, and demanding visibility. We see it in the allies who stand shoulder to shoulder with us, amplifying our voices and advocating for equality. This magazine is a platform for those voices. It is a space for us to share our stories, to celebrate our victories, and to strategize for the battles ahead. We will not shy away from the difficult conversations, the uncomfortable truths, or the urgent calls to action. We will delve into the complexities of our community, exploring the intersections of race, class, gender, and sexuality. We will highlight the legal challenges we face, but also the triumphs. We will celebrate our art, our culture, and our contributions to society. We will amplify the voices of those who are often silenced, and we will honor the legacy of those who paved the way for us. We are not just fighting for ourselves; we are fighting for a more just and equitable society for all. We believe in a future where everyone is free to live authentically, without fear of discrimination or violence. A future where our differences are celebrated, and our humanity is recognized. This is not a time for complacency. It is a time for action. We must stay informed, stay engaged, and stay united. We must vote, we must volunteer, and we must speak out against injustice. We must support LGBTQ+ organizations that are on the frontlines of this fight. We are a community forged in resilience, bound by love, and driven by a shared vision of equality. Together, we will continue to fight for our rights, to protect our communities, and to build a brighter future for all. Thank you for being a part of this journey. Your support, your voice, and your presence matter. In Solidarity, Anthony Polimeni, Publisher & Co-Editor Anthony Polimeni | Publisher & Co-EditorMichael Montgomery | Editor-In-Chief5 Table of Contents Unity in Community Faces of Visibility Building Alliances Feature: Kevin Jennings, CEO of Lambda Legal Renaissance Man: Invterview with Matteo Lane Authoritarianism vs. the Rule of Law and the Constitution 1 Law, 6 States OUT NW | Alaska Resisting Erasure Out NW | Oregon Out NW | Washington Making the Case for Equality Interview-Jennifer Pizer OUT NW | Montana Out NW | Northern California OUT NW | Idaho Activist Q&A’s Quickies Call to Action & Masthead Page 6 9 12 17 20 22 28 37 40 45 48 53 56 62 67 71 74 786 Throughout my decades as a leader in the queer community, I have preached the importance of “unity in the community.” Given the current crisis in our democracy, this is more important than ever. But what does it mean? The LGBTQ+ community is incredibly diverse. Many transgender people are straight. Some of us are immigrants. Some of us undocumented. We are of every race, ethnicity, and religion found in America. We are of every political stripe, and of all ages, abilities, and classes. How can such a diverse community be unified? Unity does not mean we all share the same beliefs. Unity means we take collective responsibility for each other and treat one another with dignity and demand that each of us is treated by our government and society with the respect to which every human being is entitled. Unity means we honor both our similarities and our differences and recognize that queer people are not only harmed by homophobia and transphobia but also by racism, sexism, antisemitism, ableism, nativism, Islamophobia, classism, and the myriad of prejudices that afflict our nation and world. We must be honest with ourselves. We as individuals and collectively can be infected with prejudice and bias. Therefore, it is critical that we as a community define our core commitment to the values of equality, equity, human rights, sustainability, and prosperity. Dwell on these words for a moment, and recognize that within them there is no agreement. That is okay. When we say equality, are we saying it is a floor or a ceiling? Should we all have roughly the same or should everyone have a minimum? But together these words do create boundaries. When we talk about any of these words, we need to ask: is anybody being left out or harmed? We need to be able to define that which every person has a right to, such as healthcare, freedom of speech and association, personal security, quality education, clean water and air... Some of these rights are enshrined in the Constitution; others are not. How we protect them will therefore differ. I am not a doctor, but I know that when the administration seeks to deny medically necessary healthcare to people because they are transgender, that violates their human rights and the principle of equality. I understand that equity means that different people will have different healthcare needs that must be met. I believe “unity in the Unity in the Community by Joshua Friedes7 community” means collective responsibility and mutual support. Those of us who are gay men of a certain age will never forget how lesbians supported us during the AIDS crisis. They did more than advocate for our needs — they took care of many of us when others would not. This is what being part of a community means. We look after each other, understanding that at different times, different members of the community will be particularly vulnerable, often because of a shared, immutable characteristic. It is so important that we honor and celebrate the wonderful diversity of our community so that we are not overtaken by tribalism. For example, I have been shocked by comments from and positions taken by gays that deny the human rights of Palestinians or Jews. And I am shocked at how many people fail to understand that the lives of many LGBTQ+ American Jews and Palestinians are intertwined with the peoples of Israel and Palestine. To prevent tribalism within our community and make sure we respect the rights and needs of those outside our community, it is imperative that we stay true to the core values of equality, equity, human rights, sustainability, and prosperity. This moral and ethical compass can guide us and keep us unified, even in the context of very real tensions and divisions. Unity also requires humility. Too often, members of the community become wed to maximalist positions, specific strategies and tactics, or the language we prefer. We must be able to accept that one person may use the word “queer,” another “gay,” a third “LGBTQ+.” There is no right. We are quick to criticize those who step up to the challenge of leadership, who must be good listeners and demonstrate good leadership skills. But most of us are not leaders. Most of us are followers, and we must demonstrate good followership skills. Our criticisms must be constructive and offered appropriately. We must be willing to participate in collective action, even when we might think things should be done differently. The LGBTQ+ community faces unprecedented challenges today. Whether we can meet the moment rests on our ability to work well together, understanding that diversity is a strength, tensions are natural, shared values are abundant, and humility is necessary. “Unity in the community” does not mean everyone will be able to abide by this — it just means most of us can and will enforce these truths. Joshua Friedes is a human rights advocate. He is the former executive director of Equal Rights Washington and the head of the Freedom to Marry Coalition of Massachusetts. He has worked on a wide variety of issues including Israel/Palestine, tax equity, campaign finance reform, and ethics and honesty in government.Oregon The LGBT Community in Oregon Photo by Jeremy Piehler from FlickrNext >