Iron Jawed Angels

At the suggestion of a friend, I just finished watching the movie Iron Jawed Angels; a movie about the efforts of suffragist women to get a constitutional amendment passed. It tells the true story of some very brave and courageous women during the years 1916-1919. I cried at the pain and humankinds ability to hate and exclude. Yet, their efforts resulted in these words:

Nineteenth Amendment Passed by Congress June 4, 1919. Ratified August 18, 1920.
Section 1: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Section 2: Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

During this last year, I have drawn inspiration and courage from the early women’s rights movement. Susan B. Anthony’s reminder that “failure is impossible” has quickened me when rights are denied or bigotry and hate are tolerated . . . or even encouraged. In many ways the battle for basic civil rights for LGBT people parallels that of these women and the rights movement led by Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. They all exhibited an impassioned persistence that was expressed in non-violence and the consistent call for human rights; for after all civil rights in America are human rights . . . part of that “endowed by their Creator” inalienable gift of our founding fathers’ voices. They fought the battle on many fronts with multiple peaceful weapons. They were passionate and unafraid and they were focused.

I believe we are now the soldiers of that battle and, like those who have gone before us, we will win . . . if we are passionate, unafraid and focused. We will persist for basic human rights (not “special rights” or a new class of citizens). We too - in all our glorious differences - are America. Hate crimes legislation, ENDA, and inclusion in the protections of civil rights law will come to us . . . if we are passionate, unafraid and focused. My prayer is that God will give us the strength and wisdom to be so.

I hope you get a chance to see the movie. It will encourage your heart and mind and help you Celebrate Diversity. :-)