There are times in life that we are quickly reminded at how brief life really is. I came across this amazing video on PerezHilton today. It was so moving and so important I really wanted to share it:

Living in Ithaca we have this idea that we are all so safe in this hip and urbane little community. That is such a myth. We live in RURAL CENTRAL NEW YORK STATE and hate crimes happen here all the time. Maybe people are not killed, but words can hurt as much as sticks and fists. I have been called a fag in the commons. I’ve been scared.

I wonder though, where have I been? How could I have missed this story. A 15 year old boy is killed, shot in his classroom for being GAY! Are you kidding me? We all need to wake up. This did not happen in Laramie, Wyoming. This happened in Oxnard, California; an hour away from LA and only 30 minutes away from Malibu. Seriously, this is real people. I’m reminded of the slogan that came out in the late 80’s for those who dared to help in the fight against the AIDS pandemic: Act UP!

It’s time that we Act UP! We need to let Governors, Senators, Congresspeople, Presidents, presidential candidates and all elected officials know that this is not tolerated! Violence of any kind is not tollerated. Hate is not the answer. Be the change.

This past weekend, Sally Kern, State Representative from the great state of Oklahoma had this to say about people like me:

Let Rep. Kern know how her comments made you feel: sallykern@okhouse.gov
Make sure you let her know you were listening!