Since the election, I’ve felt more or less adrift. The queer son of immigrants, the thought of this presidency shook me to my core. After a lot of soul-searching, and some anti-depressants, I started to work to make things better. I’m not candidate material, but I can help. So I tried. I went to the Women’s March, and brought another friend who was also broken up about the election. The crowd in Midtown was frankly exhilarating to both of us.
I also went to the immigrant ban at Stonewall with a younger gay friend who got his first taste of a protest and why resisting is important and that it goes beyond posting Facebook memes. But the occasional rally wasn’t enough. So I turned to my old home, Trenton NJ, and decided to put together a fundraiser to help protect the rights of LGBT and HIV+ people who will face and already facing discrimination as a result of this new administration.
We decided to fundraise for Lambda Legal, because the ACLU had already raised so much, and Lambda Legal’s mission is an important one, and they do great work. We reached out to queer artists across the country and Canada to donate pieces for an art auction, and we did the best thing we could ever do for a Sunday afternoon. Play disco music, let the drinks flow, and have a Teadance. We also wanted to give the queer community in Central NJ another place to come and enjoy themselves, without having to drive to New York, New Hope or Asbury Park.
It was a phenomenal afternoon of dancing, vogueing, and a good chunk of the community came out to support our rights and just have a good time! Activists, leather men, allies and good ole queer folks came out to dance the afternoon away. One of the local Assemblymen, Reed Gusciora even came to party! We raised over $1000 for Lambda Legal last night, and a few dozen people did something, and felt good about it.
What’s next? I don’t know yet. I know it likely involves getting Phil Murphy elected governor in New Jersey. And more rallies too. But whatever it is, it will involve standing up and doing the right thing for me and my community.
