Now is the time to bid adieu to 2012. While the year has been a divisive one for the entire country, the gay community has made progress like never seen before. Maine, Maryland, and Washington all voted to legalize gay marriage. Unlike 2004 where all state constitutional amendments to define marriage traditionally passed, a similar measure failed in Minnesota. Additionally, Tammy Baldwin became the first openly gay person to be elected to the United States Senate. Then, last week Newt Gingrich, a constant voice of all things super conservative, publicly declared that the Republican Party needed to accept that the current chapter in American history was being written in favor of marriage equality. Less than a decade ago, gay activists only dreamed of what today is reality.
As with the nation, 2012 ushered in changes with the GLSO and the Pride Center. The GLSO began the year in grave doubt of its future existence. Its biggest fundraiser of the year, the Lexington Pride Festival, had suffered a financial setback in 2011, and the board felt uncertain about how to progress. Under a new president, Aaron Baker, the GLSO bounced back. A new Pride Festival committee stocked with experienced people turned the tide and made 2012’s Festival the biggest financial success to date of any Lexington Pride Festival. That financial success served as dessert for a committee that wanted only to provide the community with an outstanding Festival that could make GLBT people proud to live in Lexington.
That financial success was not the only victory for the GLSO. The organization filed a legal complaint with the Human Rights Commission (HRC) because Hands On Originals (HOO) refused to honor a quote it gave because it argued that printing Pride Festival t-shirts would go against its Christian ideology. The GLSO called on Lexington’s Fairness Ordinance to fight against this discrimination. Cincy Apparel stepped up and printed the t-shirts for the Pride Festival. They stood beside the organization and decried the blatant discrimination. Then, after months of research, the HRC sided with the GLSO. There are still steps to take before the situation is completely resolved, but knowing that a governmental institution believes in our complaint and believes that businesses should not be able to deny basic services based on sexual orientation is a tremendous victory.
Yet another victory is the acquisition of new board members. Iggie Pargen, Cindy Sommer, Karen Taylor, and Paul Holland have embraced the organization with savage energy. Cindy has already started fundraising. Paul has been working to manage volunteers and to redecorate the Pride Center a bit. Iggie organized a holiday dinner for the organization. Soon Karen will serve as secretary of the board. The GLSO is proud to have these members and looks forward to the amazing work they will accomplish.
Since we are waving adios to our amigo 2012, we must welcome in 2013. The stage is already set for what could be the biggest victory or the most crushing defeat for the GLBT community. The United States Supreme Court has agreed to review cases surrounding the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California’s controversial Proposition 8. By June, the Supreme Court will rule in some regard to these acts, which prohibit gay people from marrying or getting access to the more than 1,100 benefits that come with federally sanctioned marriage. How the Court votes is anyone’s guess but what they vote will undoubtedly have a marked, historical effect on the march for gay equality. Regardless, what gay people know irrevocably is that they will continue that march, and they will continue to hold their heads up, and they will continue to be proud not just during Pride month but during the entire year into perpetuity. The G, the L, the B, the T, both Q’s, the I, the A, the 2-S, and the Poz of every race, origin, size, shape, age, and gender will keep on keeping on because we know we are worth the effort and deserve equality. Again like the nation, the GLSO will see some changes this year. The Center will continue to enjoy some face-lifting.
Soon it will have a new copier that the community will be able to use. There will be a projector so that the various groups who meet there might have multi-media presentations. There will be computers for the community to use. The walls will get a fresh coat of paint. New life will spring forward, fill the space, and thrive in a more modern Center.
The current gay-straight alliance advisor, Mary Crone, will step back and let others shape the program for our youth. Mary will start a well-deserved retirement starting in January. She has been an activist in the GLBT community for more than thirty years. She has served as the board chair, producer of the monthly newsletter, and lead GSA advisor. Through her efforts, she has won practically every award for community service in the universe, but the best award is a “Thank You” from the people who benefit from her efforts. If you see her, please thank her immensely for all that she has given to the community.
The current president, Aaron Baker, will also step down. He oversaw the past year when the board was struggling and the organization seemed ready to collapse. It has been a monumental task, and Aaron is ready to spend more time on his home and personal life. Amazingly, Aaron, and his wife Samara, have given so much of themselves and aren’t gay. These people are the allies upon whom the GLBT community relies so heavily. They are both amazing and deserve a round of applause. They are not saying goodbye, however. Samara will continue to work with the GSA. Aaron, who is a lawyer by day, will serve as a consultant to the board especially as it finalizes the situation with the HRC and HOO.
Finally, Paul Brown will step up as the new president. This position is not his first time chairing a committee or a board. Over the years, he has been very active in many parts of the community. Most recently, he chaired the committee for 2012’s Lexington Pride Festival. After its success, he agreed to serve in the position for 2013, so he will serve as chair of the Pride Festival and its parent the GLSO. While he is a seasoned veteran of community service and activism, he certainly looks for support and help from the gay community of Lexington, which is abundant in seasoned veterans and up-and-coming activists. He knows that the at large is the stakeholder in the GLSO, and he eagerly awaits its input.