History Repeating.

Fall 1992. A time of great change in our country. A democratic presidential ticket that not only had great promise, but also one who talked to the GLBT community as equals and demanded they be treated fairly. Fair and equal. Simple, right?

I had just moved to Colorado from New York and was at a B-52’s concert at McNichols Arena with some new pals of mine. From the stage Fred Schneider reminded everyone to vote “no on 2” and there was a mild amount of applause. I remember having the conversation with my new friends about how deeply discriminatory Amendment 2 was. The audience shrugged it off with a luke-warm response, and the consensus seemed to be a combination of optimism and complacency: “don’t worry, it won’t happen.” We all know how Election Day 1992 ended up. Afterwards, a group of very courageous people spent lots of time and energy to bring us to the ruling from the United States Supreme Court, striking down that amendment in favor of fairness and equality.

Fall 2006. A time of great opportunity in our country. An opportunity for the Democratic Party to regain control of both houses of Congress. Here in Colorado, a democratic gubernatorial ticket, not only with great promise, but also one who talks with the GLBT community as equals. I met Bill Ritter many years ago at AIDS Walk Colorado, as he greeted volunteers prior to walking with his family. He gets it. Fair and equal.

This November 7, we as a voting public have a tremendous opportunity to change history. Well, ok, we have a chance to change history every time we vote, but this year is especially important. Referendum I provides committed same-sex couples with basic, common-sense legal protections and responsibilities, including the right to visit a partner in the hospital, make decisions for an incapacitated partner, make funeral arrangements, direct nursing home care and secure basic property and inheritance rights. Not marriage. Just fair and equal. In my view, this gets same-sex couples to a nearly level playing field with our fellow tax-paying citizens. This is a huge step in the right direction. But I fear that many are not in step with this important opportunity to change our world.

On a recent Sunday afternoon I was out with 300 of my closest friends at that popular bar named for a pair of jeans. No B-52’s music, but there was a Sylvester video making us all “feel mighty real.” A friend and I were checking to see how people felt about Referendum I. While this was very unscientific, about half of those we talked to strongly supported Referendum I. I t was particularly eye-opening, however, to learn how many people “don’t get involved in politics” or are “tired of the whole marriage thing.” My pal and I persuasively worked to shift complacency and make sure these people understand how important Referendum I is for same sex couples. Fair and equal. Simple. Remember what it felt like reading about Amendment 2? Let’s not let complacency get the best of us again and hope that someone else will fight for our rights.

As chair of the board of directors for Colorado AIDS Project (CAP), I am proud that our board officially endorsed Referendum I. The mission of Colorado AIDS Project is to improve lives affected by HIV and AIDS and to prevent HIV infection. We are committed to playing a role in public policy when it impacts our agency’s mission and Referendum I does. It provides rights around hospital and medical care as well as basic arrangements for property after death. The board meeting at which we voted to endorse this referendum was one filled with spirited dialogue from both straight and gay board members. We were unanimous in our support and proud to take this stand on behalf of our stakeholders.

Please join us and show your support for Referendum I. Talk to one family member, one coworker, one neighbor and make sure they understand why this is important to you. We’ve learned where complacency gets us, not only from Amendment 2, but also when it comes to safer sex and HIV. Don’t let complacency make you think you don’t have to worry -- about either issue.


Note: A less partisan version of this post will appear in the 11/1/06 edition of Out Front Colorado. I don't want to break any 501(c)3 rules.