So Gay So What

Last Thursday I attended my first Human Rights Campaign social event Club Blue. I’ve been contemplating the idea of getting more involved with HRC for a while but after attending the Fort Lauderdale Pride Fest 3 weeks ago, I’ve decided to take the plunge and inform myself on the issues my community is facing now and how I can actively get involved and contribute.

HRC South Florida Steering Committee is amazing group of volunteers (thanks Tony!) that organize events and meetings that are design to bring out community together and inform we all of what’s the latest in the fight for LGBT rights. Personally, it was a huge wake up call for me. I had no idea how off I was of everything that is going on right now, especially in this election year. I don’t vote. I’m not American. But I am gay and this is my cause.

I signed up to be a HRC volunteer and I have not doubt this was the best decision I made this year. I can’t wait to start, make a different and meet all those awesome super gay people of South Florida!

“Equality is in the heart of everything HRC stands for – an equal opportunity to share in the rights and responsibilities of out society … an equal hope of living free from threat of discrimination”

To know more about HRC work, go to the Human Rights Campaign website

You know those moments when you catch yourself doing something or thinking something so gay that makes you realize how much gay you are? In the past, I didn’t have those moments so frequently, but as the years go by, I am really surprising myself. In a very queer way.

I am currently working on a Research Paper for school (master) about “Diverse Work Environment and LGBT Issues”. I don’t think I can live anymore without putting everything into an LGBT context. It is so important for me to understand the struggles my community have been through and realize how far we came and how much more still need to be conquered. I honestly feel privileged for not having faced discrimination in the workplace. Most of the times, I have been very open and out spoken about who I am, but for most Americans, there is fear. Equality is still an everyday battle for a lot of gays and lesbians in the workforce.

I will be doing a lot of research and I expect to learn a lot. In the mean time, visit Out and Equal website for information about the issue. They are a “pre-eminent national organization devoted to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community in the workplace”. They have designed a 15 steps guide to those who seek to build a workplace where all individuals know they are equally valued and respected.