My name is Stuart Milk, and as my uncle Harvey would say, I'm here to recruit you.
Every May 22nd is Harvey Milk Day and Harvey's birthday -- and yesterday there were celebrations in every part of the country to remember my uncle's life and the sacrifices he made to advance the equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. As one of the first openly gay politicians, and a leader in the fight against a California ballot measure that would have barred gay men and lesbians from becoming teachers, he inspired generations of LGBT people and allies to stand up and fight for equal rights.
That fight continues in this year's elections, when our country will choose between a candidate who wants to roll back the clock -- and President Obama, who's spent the last three and a half years moving us forward.
So here's a way to keep up the work that Harvey started in this critical election year -- join Obama Pride: LGBT Americans for Obama.
My uncle Harvey knew that what happens at the ballot box matters, and that we have to participate to make sure our voices are heard. That is why I am out talking to voters and sharing my story to encourage people to vote for the progress we want to see.
When we voted for President Obama in 2008, we opened the door to some of the most tremendous progress we've ever made. He expanded the federal hate crimes law to protect LGBT people, repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," ensured the visitation and medical decision-making rights of same-sex couples in the hospital, barred discrimination against LGBT people in federally funded or federally insured housing, and released the first national HIV/AIDS strategy. And he signed historic health care reform into law, strengthened women's ability to fight for fair pay, and is working to create an economy built to last -- these fights are improving the lives of LGBT people, as well as others in our families and our communities.
And unforgettably, this month he became the first sitting U.S. president in history to affirm his personal support for marriage equality.
Let's show President Obama that we've got his back -- just like he's got ours.
From now to November, Obama Pride will be a banner under which we come together -- as LGBT people and as allies -- to register our friends and loved ones to vote, march with the OFA contingents in our local Pride celebrations, and knock on doors to have conversations with voters, from San Francisco to Cedar Rapids.
If we get engaged now, we can make sure that as many people as possible step up to organize with us, and turn out to vote for Barack Obama on November 6th.
So please, stand with me and thousands of other LGBT supporters today by signing up for Obama Pride, and by recruiting a friend or two to join with you:
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Thank you,
Stuart Milk
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