"We know that discrimination against gay men and lesbian women exists in this country today, Number 1. Number 2, we know that there are no laws to protect them. Number 3, we know that the whole issue of gay men and lesbian women is an immutable condition. It is a condition of life."
The late Senator Edward Kennedy's (D-Mass.) words during the ENDA debates of 1996 continue to be applicable today, shortly after his passing from brain cancer. Kennedy's political legacy and commitment to the LGBT community is unprecedented, as clearly noted by the growing coverage and comments from many within the LGBT organization on the significant loss of a friend, partner and advocate.
It's hard to lose a leader, especially one who's helped blaze a path within the LGBT community. Whether that path is national with widespread impact, as is the case with the loss of Sen. Kennedy, or more personal and less severe, there are lessons to be learned. I've experienced the "lessons through loss" twice within the last six months here on the Out Front Blog with Steve and Ben moving on.
I thought of Ben's final words on the personal is the political. It's true. I'm slowly becoming more involved and aware in politics specifically relating to LGBT, as my own work within the community began a mere two years ago. My knowledge of Sen. Kennedy was limited and originally distorted (having grown up in a conservative area of Florida), but I found the HRC's record of Kennedy's fight for inequality inspiring and enlightening.
When we lose a leader, the results can be devastating. Their words and actions motivated us, supported us and ultimately changed us. Without them, we can feel lost and begin to focus on our loss. Rather, Kennedy and other LGBT game-changers spent their lives providing a clearly articulated and acted upon mission – a mission that we must carry forward now that they have moved on.
Our tribute to Kennedy should be to continue to speak as bravely and strongly for LGBT and other minorities as he did. He understood the power of communication and used it to advance the causes that he believed in. He repeated his message, without tiring, and thus helped many minority Americans live a better life.
The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund President and CEO Chuck Wolfe said it well: "Good men serve others but great men take care to serve the least fortunate. Senator Kennedy was a great man. He made a career of fighting for the poor, for women, for racial minorities, and for basic human rights for LGBT Americans."
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