Yet another victory for equality, maybe the most pivotal, in a struggle that started in this country with the Mattachine Society, in 1951. We have stared down abusive cops, corrupt laws, government witch-hunts, homophobic juries, sanctimonious clerics, cruel families, endless taunting bullies, beatings, murders, firings, evictions and a decimating pandemic. But we did not stand alone. At virtually every step, there was beside us, straight allies who marched, bled, pleaded, and voted for us and our dignity. Some were people of faith, Some were not. Some were family members, some were strangers. There was beside us straight allies who refused to cave to social pressures, refused to turn away our dying lovers, refused to let slurs go unanswered. We should not forget to thank them. But for their quiet or public acts of empathy, courage, tenacity, and decency, whatever their politics, their creed, we would not stand as we do. So for a start. Those straight men and women, here on this forum, that stood with one of us or all of us for an hour, a day or a lifetime for whatever reason, . I thank you. It was not always easy or popular as it is today and often you sacrificed for us.
