by Sean Kosofsky
All Politics is Loco
By now most of you know that I have decided to leave Michigan this summer to follow my partner to North Carolina to help him start his career. The outpouring of support and affection since the announcement has been amazing and very emotional for us. Leaving Michigan, Triangle Foundation and all my friends and family, is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. But I do believe that with each challenge there is opportunity and so I am looking forward to being as active in social justice work in North Carolina as I have been here.
This is my first column since the announcement last week, but I have had hundreds of conversations about my departure and interestingly enough, they all sound similar. We are not leaving because of Michigan's economy and I have not given up on Detroit. Quite the opposite. I am a huge cheerleader for Detroit and for Michigan and I truly believe, from what I know and see about the history of this region, that Michigan is resilient and will recover. I would love to be here for the renaissance, but cannot. This move is about love, commitment and building a future together. I love my partner with all of my heart and this adventure is going to test that love, but I am confident it will get stronger and tougher, just like Detroit.
I would like to recount some of the interesting things that were said to me since last week. I was impressed with how many people applauded Michael and I for pursuing a future that would strengthen us as a couple. People know how much personal sacrifice it takes to do this work for this long and they were excited that we were doing something for us. Several people mentioned that they had to break up with their partner because moving wasn't an option. Others admired the courage that it takes to make so many changes at once and that we clearly had put a lot of thought into this move. It made me sad though, to think about the couples that did not survive or will not survive such a jolt to their relationship. Moving to a different state, different climate, different careers, not knowing many people and leaving family are all big moves on their own.
Others approached me at Motor City Pride and said, "We have never met and I regret that. I appreciate all you have done and you can't possibly know what it means to me that you are able to speak for many of us that don't have the platform you do." My coworkers, including my partner and Kate Runyon, our interim executive director, were circulating a "memory book" for me at pride in order to capture people's testimonials about my work and our relationship. When my best friend, Rachel poured out her feelings onto an entire page, she started to cry. It hit me in that moment, that we wait too long to tell people how much they mean to us. Rachel and I always share that with each other, but putting it in writing was very final and permanent. This is a reminder that we should tell people how we feel about them, before you miss the opportunity.
Many people teased my partner that he was "taking me away" from Michigan, but others congratulated him and me. And everyone wanted to know, "who is going to be the next policy director." Which brings me to one of the main reasons we decided to go public so early with my departure – succession planning. In order to have a seamless transition this election year, we have started the search process for my replacement immediately. If you have ever considered full-time work being an LGBT civil rights activist, advocate, lobbyist, media spokesperson or organizer – now is your chance. We are putting out a call, far and wide, to recruit the best and brightest, to serve this community and to be a civil rights leader.
We are on the cusp of great things in Michigan. I know for a fact that more success is around the corner and we need a strong, dedicated professional to lead Triangle's policy and political work through this election cycle and through future legislative sessions. Are you that leader? Do you know someone who has been waiting for their chance to step up to the plate? To apply for Triangle's Director of Policy position visit http://www.tri.org, and click on "employment opportunities."
Sean Kosofsky is the Director of Policy for Triangle Foundation, Michigan's leading LGBT civil rights organization.
