From the Mayor’s GLBT Liaison
Pride and Mayor Brown
by Janine Brunjes

Riding the fence may be the way to keep the peace, but it’s a lousy way to make a stand–or a statement. With enough information and commitment, I believe we are all given opportunities to articulate our messages clearly. After our past Pride month, I hope every one of us continues to maintain a sense (or at least a semblance) of that pride in all that we do. It’s a lot like the Christmas spirit. While it’s nice to have a dedicated day to reflect on the nature of giving, one must realize that December 25 isn’t the only day it’s supposed to happen. Similarly, the "pride factor" should figur in our everyday lives. The GLBT community is aware, possibly more than any other segment of the population, that the challenges we face in this life–that life itself–is no dress rehearsal. It is what is. And now is all we have. And it’s up to each one of us to make a difference.

I must admit that I was very proud to ride in the Pride Parade with Mayor Lee Brown. He has demonstrated to our community that he is a man of his word and is willing to show it. Most politicians treat causes–gay or otherwise–as issues du jour, to be as quickly forgotten as the soup on yesterday’s blue plate special. Mayor Brown, however, walks what he talks. To show his support of the proposed nondiscrimination ordinance for city employees, Mayor Brown approved earlier street closings, and added street closings to make way for the Equality Rally–a rally that allowed our voices to be heard by the city of Houston, the elected officials, and our own community. Later this summer, he will attend the GLBT Finance Committee’s event (Elvia’s downtown, August 16 at 5:30 p.m.).

Stepping out on a limb, being politically vulnerable by supporting righteous (and often controversial) causes, takes great conscience and courage, especially in today’s hot political climate (just ask James Jeffords). It’s also not uncommon to have a disturbing number of strange bedfellows (just ask the pro-life and pro-choice movements, sliding between the sheets together in their mutual support of campaign finance reform). Mayor Brown, however, speaks his mind on the issues he cares about without talking out of both sides of his mouth. He doesn’t court those who want to deny city employees equal rights for the simple fact that he doesn’t believe in oppression. He’s the first mayor in the city who ever saw the need for a liaison to the GLBT community, for God’s sake.

I know election time is still a ways off, but we as a community need to be acting and preparing now. I believe Mayor Brown deserves another term. Houston needs him and, more importantly, we need him. One glittering Pride Parade does not a policy make. We need to continue to express ourselves by supporting the issues we care about. Today, nondiscrimination policy; tomorrow, domestic partner benefits. And don’t be misled. As election day comes closer, some council members are going to be crawling out of the polished woodwork to stir up conflict just in time for the polls to open. It may be politics, but it usually muddies the clear waters of truth–we need to be vigilant in finding out who believes what, and who’s in support of whom. As someone on the inside, let me tell you this: I’m pretty proud to stand beside and promote the policies and decisions of our mayor. Because if there’s one thing I’ve seen up close and personally, it’s this: Mayor Brown stands firm on our issues; he does not vacillate. No way.

And these days, it’s more than a vote for the right candidate, it’s a vote of confidence. And conscience.