I had to realize why I was taking the whole thing so personally, why I was so defensive. The issue of rights for women was not enough to explain my reactions. That issue became that we must have if we are going to feel safe enough to make ourselves known. All of a sudden, for the first time in my life, I felt myself thrust into the role of oppressed minority on two counts, as a female whom others do not see as being worthy of inclusion in the state constitution, and as a lesbian, whom others do not even want to think about as being worthy of existing. My simple existence is a political issue, it seems, whether I want it or not.
Ordinary people walking down the streets being unashamedly themselves help bring understanding.
I did not intend this to be a long letter. I just wanted to say that I want to be involved.