Director's Column: Hope for the Future by Supporting Your Center's Work
The election is over and work remains to ensure that we receive equal rights. Mixed with the excitement of a historic presidential election and its end result, came disappointment and a harsh reality, bans on same sex marriage and adoption and foster care denied to single people including gays in several states. As many of you were, I too was engaged in the election and rode the waves of hope for inclusion and wins against efforts to deny us civil rights and liberties. Although we may have taken serious hits, we have prevailed as a movement and as a united force to promote equality and speak out against discrimination. With leadership from the Center La Crosse participated in the National Day of Protest with others across the nation. We can and will continue to provide leadership and organize public rallies and protests to raise awareness, educate the community, and show our commitment to equality for all of us.
Similar to the Center's resolve to promoting equality, we are working to build connections within the community with allies, businesses, and others that believe in social justice, gay rights, and who will speak out with us. Just as it took men to stand alongside women as they fought against the status quo and demanded the right to vote, it will take allies and each of us to obtain rights for the LGBT community. We are stronger when we stand united as a diverse group of people with the same vision for equality. It is through our similarities that we must come together initially and then learn and come to appreciate our differences.
The Center currently has 115 members who pay yearly membership dues and receive discounts from local businesses as a thank you for their support and belief in our mission. As we move into 2009 and focus on building the community and supporters of the Center, we extend gratitude to our forefathers and foremothers for having the tenacity to create the Center. It is with hope and belief that we move forward into another year of great possibilities. Please consider joining the Center as a member in 2009. For a small investment you will receive discounts from local businesses, join others committed to equality, and help make the Center one member stronger. Margaret Mead said it best, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world: indeed it's the only thing that ever has!"
Join us and help us change the status quo. As one, we can do good things, but together we remain unstoppable as we move full speed ahead for equality.
Lastly, I would like to extend a wish for a wonderful holiday season to you and your loved ones. May your home be warm, your memories merry, and your holidays the best they can be.
Peace & belief,
Rosanne St. Sauver
Executive Director