It was only fitting that my spouse, Pam, and I saw the movie “Milk” this week. Much like our new President Obama, Harvey Milk – a grassroots gay rights advocate of the 70’s – was also all about change.

This month’s HRC publication “Equality” writes:

“The New York Times and Washington Post critics raved about the film’s [Milk] nuanced look at how one man became a political activist, eventually sparking a neighborhood, a city and even an entire country to make change.”

While Milk was leading the people of Castro Street on a gay crusade that would redirect history,   I watched from across the country.   During the late 70’s, I was a just coming out biology student in Massachusetts.   I joined the first ever Gay and Lesbian Club on campus, marched in the Boston Gay Rights Parades each year.   But mostly, I stayed in the closet.   I’d had several negative reactions about my sexuality from old high school friends, my family, and had decided I didn’t want to “lead with the Lesbian label.”

Better to make friends first, and come out later – if appropriate.

Most lesbians and gays lived two lives back then.   There was life with people who knew, and life with people who didn’t know.   Some of us handled it better than others.     Me, I drank a lot, but held my own.

Unconsciously, I probably had as negative opinion of gays and lesbians as some of the best bigots out there.   My therapy bills over the years have bought many a therapists’ child’s braces.

But now, these days, I basque in the light this dramatically different world we live in.   I’m totally out.   My co-workers had a wedding shower for me!   Around the water cooler, I share my life with Pam, as they all share their lives with Mark, and Jack, and Bill, and Becky, and Kevin…

Pam and I have many of the financial benefits of marriage that had never been available to us even a few years ago.

But I know I wouldn’t be living this integrated life if it weren’t for the Harvey Milks of the world:   people whom, for whatever reason, have had their anger overtake their fear, and who take huge risks to make our world a better place.

So here’s a big thanks, Harvey Milks of the world. You’ve brought this country to a place where we can have a president that I’m proud of.     And hey, you’d be proud to know that Pam and I were in front of the Massachusetts State House with our protest signs not too long ago – fighting for our right to marry.   We’ve come a long way.

What does this first article of mine have to do with money?   Not much!   They will in the future, I promise.   This is such a historic week, I had to write about it.

What are your thoughts on this new liberal leadership for our country?

Photo credit: PicApp.