Guest Editorial startling new statistics. In five major U.S. cities, of African-American men who have sex with men, almost half are living with HIV. And two-thirds of them don’t know it. Our brothers and sisters are being decimated by this disease. But it’s not the by Julian High, Donna Payne, Human Rights Campaign disease that’s killing us. It’s our silence. Yes, our government could do more, but Most of America’s greatest we must be a part of the solution. heroes never make it out Dr. King spoke up. And the essence of the shadows. Martin of his speaking wasn’t about politics. It Luther King Jr. certainly was humanity. When he made his most was not one of them. But famous speech, he didn’t dream of passas we celebrate one of our ing legislation. He dreamt of the sons of greatest American heroes former slaves and the sons of former slave this weekend, we should owners sitting down together. He dreamt follow Dr. King’s own of people. vision by not looking toAnd he never lost hope. As we look ward the spotlight but toward the ordinary. ahead as at the comIt’s not the people ing year, we must making headlines never lose hope. who will have the It’s past time to greatest affect on We shouldn’t ignore break down the our freedom, but the political acts, or the divisions that exist people in our own in America. We must backyards who can people who make look at each other’s shape the future. headlines. But too differences not as Take Dr. King walls that keep us himself, a man often we ignore how apart but as bricks who found peace our own voices can that make our founin conflict through conversations with shape the discussion. dation stronger. And we must start in our his friends and famown backyards. ily. While many of us Dr. King assured us now know of gay civil that we all belonged rights leader Bayard to the struggle for equality and dignity. No Rustin’s vital role in organizing the March on Washington, it’s less known that before matter the color of our skin, the gender we identify as, the faith we hold dear or he ever became a historical figure, Rustin the person we love, we are all each others’ helped shape Dr. King’s commitment to brothers and sisters. pacifism. We have a political fight coming up in Rustin didn’t introduce a bill or organize a petition drive to let Dr. King know his feel- 2006. But it’s not going to be won by polls and message points. It’s going to be won ings about non-violence. He talked to him. We shouldn’t ignore political acts, or the by us shaking the hand of the candidate people who make headlines. But too often and talking. Telling her what we care about. Finding out if we have a connecwe ignore how our own voices can shape tion. And, if she does, then it will be won the discussion. This Sunday would have been Dr. King’s by us talking to our family about her, our 77th birthday. Let’s salute Dr. King by rais- friends and our neighbors. It’s time we stopped being frustrated ing our voices. when our enemies are in the spotlight and The new year comes with a new set of started to put the spotlight on the heroes goals. At the Human Rights Campaign, we want to be seen. And it’s up to us to one of our goals is to use our voices to find those people, to help them get there talk to our neighbors, our friends, our and to say to ourselves with great satisfacfamily, our co-workers and our fellow tion, “Yes, I may be in the shadows, but I churchgoers. We’re going to talk about am doing my part.” our commitment to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. We’re going to Julian High is Human Rights Campaign’s Director of Diversity. Donna Payne is Human Rights do this when the opportunity presents Campaign’s Senior Constituency Organizer. HRC itself, but we’re also going to create those is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual opportunities ourselves. and transgender political organization with We must raise our voices because by members throughout the country. It effectively not doing so we are putting ourselves at lobbies Congress, provides campaign support great risk. and educates the public to ensure that LGBT This year, the Centers for Disease Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community. Control and Prevention released some
A Lesson in Humanity: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
JANUARY 19, 2006 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 15