One.

Years ago when I first became involved with the fight for people living with HIV/AIDS, a good friend looked at me and said, “Jimmy, you’re only one person.” I would spend my time volunteering at fundraisers, passing out condoms and literature, sending money to people living in Africa. The thought that this horrible epidemic was something bigger than me… never crossed my mind. And now, everytime I gear up to start fundraising or speak out, I stop and think to myself,

Jimmy, you are only one person… but atleast try.

Growing up my Mom always told me, “As long as you try Jimmy, even if you fail… I will be proud of you.” There really is no reason that any of these things should ever stop me from trying… from fighting for people that are not able to fight for themselves. And now, I sense that I am back in the battefield. And army of one.

This November, Prop 8 goes on the ballot. “The Marriage Amendment” or “Gay Marriage Ban” is a huge issue for people on both sides. Millions of dollars are being donated to both sides in the hopes of raising awareness… of winning the fight. And I want to help. And I know that in this battle… I won’t be alone.

Sometimes all it takes is one person to stand up and make their voices heard. one person to stand up and show their face… make it personal.

I think back to all of the people that risked everything all in the name of what they knew to be just and right.

On December 1st, 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama Rose Parks refused to obey bus driver James Blake’s order that she give up her seat to make room for a white passenger. Her action was not the first of its kind: Irene Morgan in 1946, and Sarah Louise Keys, in 1955, had won rulings before the Supreme Court and the Interstate Commerce Commision respectively in the area of interstate bus travel. But unlike these previous individual actions of Civil Disobedience, Parks’ action sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott. It must not have been easy. The hate and ridicule that was ever present in Alabama…yet, one woman made a stand. A stand that changed the world. One woman. One.

Even tho he was one of the countries most outspoken opponents of the expansion of Slavery in the United States, Abraham Lincoln was voted the 16th President of the United States. He led the United States through the Civil War, leading the North to victory. He introduced measures that resulted in the abortion of slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation and the 16th Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1865. That same year, Abraham Lincoln was murdered. Although he was in office less than 5 years, he made his mark. One man. One.

After escaping years in captivity, Hariet Tubman made 17 missions to rescue slaves from the South through the Underground railroad. As Union Spy, Humanitarian and African American Abolitionist. The first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war, she guided the raid on the Combahee River, which liberated more than seven hundred slaves. She worked as a nurse and cook during the civil war… at a time when people of color were still being treated horribly, even tho the war was to liberate them. She stood up and accepted the challenge. One woman… with limited rights. One.

In 1998, a woman got a phone call from the Wyoming Police informing her that her 21 year old son had been tied to a fence and beaten. Judy Shepard immediately went to his side at the Hospital… gave the world hourly updates on his health… became a symbol to the Gay community. At his funeral she walked past the crowd of protesters shouting obscenities and held her head high. Over coming this horrible tragedy, she continued to found the Matthew Shepard Foundation. One woman whose world was torn apart… rose up and made herself heard. One woman… grieving for the loss of her son. One.

And lastly. In November, You will make a stand. You will make your voice heard. You will vote No on Prop 8…

Someday when you think back to what you have done in your life, don’t you want to be able to say that you stood up for something important? You can be Rosa… Abe… Hariet… even the strongest of them all, Judy. And maybe someday, I will be able to write about you….