Let's begin with something exciting

Saturday I went to Meet in the Middle for Equality, a huge rally held in my city of Fresno, smack in the middle of California's Bible Belt. My experience was totally awesome. There were thousands of people, queer and straight, from all over the state. There were hours of inspirational speeches, which were overall very trans inclusive, with several trans speakers. I felt so energized and excited, knowing that this is an important moment in history.

I didn't feel like a full participant, because I was stationed on the sidelines making sure only the proper people entered the VIP/media area. But that's alright, because a) I was totally helping history happen, and b) I got to meet Father Geoff Farrow, one of my biggest heroes. He's the Fresno Catholic Priest who lost his job because he spoke out against Prop 8, and at the same time came out as gay. He was a speaker at this event, and so he used the VIP entrance. I stopped him on his way out and told him how his actions gave me the courage to come out to my family before the November vote, and how it had been overall a positive experience, with my aunt and grandmother giving strong support. Father Farrow expressed that he was happy for me. I'm just so excited that I got to meet him and tell him how he impacted my life.

I felt like God was totally in control. I'd been coming down with a cold all week and on Saturday I had meant to check in at City Hall around 10:30, but I was too tired to leave that early. I ended up getting there at around noon, and when I checked in I was immediately sent to the VIP entrance, which is why I was later able to meet Father Farrow. So I figure if I hadn't been sick, I would have been stationed somewhere else, and wouldn't have had that opportunity.

I left the rally totally uplifted, and ready to do what it takes to win this "culture war". Marriage equality is important, yes, but we can't stop at that. We can't stop until every LGBTQI youth is free from bullying and has a safe person to go to, a safe place to turn to, let alone appropriate role models. We can't stop until sexual orientation and gender identity are no longer used to block qualified individuals from defending our country. We can't stop until the law prohibits discrimination in all areas of life based on gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation. We can't stop until everyone is safe, everyone is equal, and everyone knows it.

Justice will prevail! In California and beyond!