Comments on: Medal of Freedom for LGBTs: Your Ideas?

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:31:07 +0000

Ru Paul? ….why exactly?

As far as transgender/transsexual folks……..

I’d suggest Sister Mary Elizabeth
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Elizabeth_Clark

Remarks by Larry Kramer, presenting the American Foundation for AIDS Research Award for Courage to Sister Mary Elizabeth
http://www.windycitymediagroup.....p?AID=3491

Third para in - abreviated remarks by Mr. Kramer, who credits with saving countless lives.

or:

Petric Smith
http://www.lgbthistorymonth.or.....esmith.htm
Pete Smith

Pete (Petric) Smith was a historic figure in the black civil rights movement of the 1960’s, whose testimony secured the conviction of his (her) uncle Robert Chambliss in the 1963 Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama that killed four young black girls.

Coretta Scott King’s praise of Petric’s risking his life to bring the church bomber to justice is one the back of his autobiography.

Or Lynn Conway:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynn_Conway

But….Ru Paul?

What contributions worthy of such an honor? Certainly not this:
http://transgriot.blogspot.com.....upaul.html

By: AngelsAwake

AngelsAwake — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 22:53:33 +0000

Audre Lorde. She was an inspiration and a leader.

By: misswildthing

misswildthing — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:28:28 +0000

Del and Phyllis. Without a doubt, true heroes. How about Alan Berube and Randy Shilts? Gloria Anzaldua, Cherie Moraga.

By: laurastrand

laurastrand — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:27:31 +0000

Dr. Wadell was an athelete, a doctor, a father, and from what I recall back when the the SF Chronicle was graced with the talents of many fine journalists including Randy Shilts, and covered Dr. Wadell’s life and all too soon death.

By: laurastrand

laurastrand — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:24:34 +0000

Tom Wadell! I was fixin to post him too.

By: emerson

emerson — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 18:37:07 +0000

Kramer, Ellen, Vidal, and Pam Karlin- who already deserves to be on the Supreme Court if they ever decide to nominate liberals in the 21st century.

By: DennisofVeniceBeach

DennisofVeniceBeach — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:08:21 +0000

Larry Kramer most definitely should be on the list. Larry Kramer’s activism is directly responsible for saving thousands upon thousands of lives in the U.S. and worldwide, and not just gay lives — he is heroic.

By: Millineryman

Millineryman — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 16:59:56 +0000

Matthew and Judy Sheppard. Judy is a an amazing woman. I got to meet her once, and hear her speak. I’ll never forget that.

And I agree with Cellar 47, Larry Kramer is a great choice.

By: tomvox1

tomvox1 — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:33:51 +0000

Wait? I thought Obama hated the LGBT community? I’m confused…must be reading to much FDL…

Anyway, I nominate Colonel Cammermeyer because when DADT is repealed (not if, when), she will deserve a big shout out, IMO.

By: marcos

marcos — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:27:14 +0000

Gore Vidal, but politically, he tells the truth too much to receive such a medal.

Gwen Arujao was brutally murdered, but only after she did not disclose her male gonads to teenage young men whom she agreed to have sex with. The men are all doing time as they should. But we should neither celebrate a transgender person who deceives others sexually nor her murderers.

Matthew Shepherd, on the other hand, was hunted down due to his queerness and brutally murdered.

Del and Phyllis certainly rate.