Michigan Campus Alliance

The following is the statement read on behalf of the Michigan Campus Alliance on November 15th, 2008 at the East Lansing, MI protest in coordination with the nationwide protest of the passing of Proposition 8 in California.

On November 5th, many people in the LGBTA community were in a state of shock, awe, and sorrow. With the results of the election, our community was granted the right, as a minority group, to be in solidarity with the new President. However, our community faced a bittersweet reality with the results of Proposition 8 in California. The passing of Proposition 8 caused a lot of pain and sorrow. Still, we cannot approach this situation with anger. We must respond to this situation with passion, respect, and honor. We must present ourselves with dignity and we must strive for equality for all people. Even if we have been hurt, retaliating will not help our cause.

The Michigan Campus Alliance feels that the Michigan LGBTA community must declare our unity with our community members – our family – in California, and the rest of the United States. We must remember that this cause must be nationwide and we must remember that we are not alone. We have loved ones, and we must focus our strength with them. We must love, even though it may be hard, and we must love with compassion.

We must move beyond the pain of this event and see that the people who voted for Proposition 8 are not our enemies. They are people voting for their beliefs, just like we do. We must move for equality for everyone, even for those who do not agree with us. We must form a movement of the LGBTA community for everyone, even if we're not respected by those for whom we are fighting.

The Michigan Campus Alliance hopes that this will be the last time LGBT rights are taken away. We hope that our community will be respected. We hope that all people will work together to empower the voices of those who are under served and underrepresented on diverse issues of sexuality, gender, and sexual identities. We envision a united nation inclusive of all people, enabling one another against oppression, invisibility and privilege.