This movement for love belongs to all of us, the LGBT, our allies, and all those who has changed their minds and opened up their hearts. Not just one leader or action. The community anger and fallout from Jo Becker's controversial book glorifying Chad Griffin, Ted Olson, and David Boies continues, but saner heads, like David Mixner below, remind us of this essential truth:
Each and every one of us made history. The early pioneers who suffered so much at the hands of the bigots brought us to this point. The young men who died of AIDS and fought for justice to their dying breaths made it happen. The thousands who were beaten, killed or had their homes attacked for being an LGBT American brought us to this point in history
That is the simple truth.
Many leaders and many books will give us different versions of this journey. Some will rightfully honor heroes, and some will come off as frantic egotistical attempts by figures desperate to be remembered as crucial to this epic moment in history. Some will downplay others' roles in this struggle and some will achieve justified acclaim.
What will be remembered by future generations is our incredible and noble struggle for equality. Very few names will be known but our collective effort will never be forgotten.
Long after I am gone my name will be known to very, very few. What I do know gives me great joy. Deep within my heart I know that I have given everything possible. By joining with other LGBT Americans and our allies I have not only witnessed history but participated in it.
That is a damn good feeling to me and should be enough for everyone.
--David Mixner, longtime LGBT and AIDS activists
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