It's 2012. We still don't have marriage equality in California or most of the country. And we still aren't fully safe or respected even within our own communities. Chik-fil-A and the (surprisingly candid) statements by its executives in opposition to LGBT equality have reminded us that many, many people still oppose us, that people still think we're not okay.
Achieving real equality means not only court victories, but changing public opinion and making spaces safe for all people. And it means taking action now.
Focusing this battle on Chik-fil-A seems a bit strange, and standing in front of a Chik-fil-A and having a kiss-in may seem somewhat silly. But what's sillier is sitting and doing nothing. Or failing to recognize that what we are fighting for is the basic right to exist and go about our everyday lives, even to go to Chik-fil-A, and still be fully human. We just want to be respected, equal, and, yes, able to kiss our boyfriend or girlfriend, our husband or wife, in public without fear, the same way as everyone else.
The LGBT community and its straight allies still have within them the fire that was ignited when Prop 8 passed, the fire that sent us to the streets to demand equality. We must continue to mobilize and deploy all resources for full equality everywhere. So join us at 5 pm in Hollywood (the corner of Highland and Sunset), kiss your loved one, and show the world that "IT'S TIME For Marriage Equality!" We'll have plenty of signs on hand to show your solidarity.
