In our last issue of 2009, Between The Lines took readers on a trip down memory lane through the last decade in Michigan's LGBT community. But the time for reminiscing is over. Now, we have to look forward.
In this issue, we take a look at some of the important pending LGBT rights legislation in our state.
Second-parent adoption, anti-bullying bills, Proposal 2 repeal and amending the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act top the list of legislative goals before the 2009-2010 session of Congress runs out of time. All the bills, aside from the motion to repeal the 2004 ban on same-sex marriage in the state and write marriage equality into the Michigan constitution, are not in their first rounds of being introduced. And all face opposition, as always, from Republican senators and representatives who will do anything in their power to ensure that the bills never even make it to the floor for discussion or a vote.
And activists are tired and worn out. Though the past 10 years saw many great and memorable moments for Michigan's LGBT community, it was not a decade of celebration when it came to passage of pro-gay legislation. Victories were small, if at all, and the thankless 2000s have left advocates of these bills, forever stuck in committee or simply filed away and forgotten about, disenchanted – or at least extremely frustrated.
Like the millions of people who renew their vows to hit the gym or quit smoking each January, we can and should make some New Years' resolutions this month to empower our community. But unlike the lofty promises we sometimes make to ourselves that fizzle out by February, let's make pledges we can keep.
To energize and support each other in our efforts. To not let prejudices or preconceived notions about particular people and groups stand in our way. To turn disagreements into discussions. To transform enemies into allies. To make at least one phone call, write one e-mail or letter, or make a visit to our legislators in 2010.
Just like the extra pounds we want to lose or cigarettes we want to throw out, no one is going to do the work for us. And just like those resolutions, we must take on our goals step by step and make them realistic. We can't quit cold turkey or drop 50 pounds in a month, and we can't win full LGBT equality in the state of Michigan in one day. Every phone call to Congress – and pound lost, cigarette ignored, hour spent away from the TV or box of junk organized – counts.
The year 2010 is here, and before we know it, we'll be saying goodbye to yet another 365 days in our collective history. Let's make sure 2010 is a memorable one – not just in our personal lives, but in the advancement of our rights in the state and country.
