 Today I received the Barbara Cigainero Volunteer of the Year Award from the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus. Above is a picture of me accepting the award. Below are my remarks at Today's annual Equality Brunch. I was honored to win the award. My remarks: Thank you to the Caucus for this award. Thanks to my wife Laura who makes everything go well. Thanks to my parents who said to accept people. My dad was a Korean War solider who said little about the war other than that the Korean, Chinese and American people he encountered in the war were all of equal humanity. That was much of what I needed to know to go forward. The Caucus is effective and its mission is urgent. It’s easy to work with the Caucus because they afford you the opportunity to be involved with something important, and because you’re granted autonomy to make the difference you want to make. I’ve spent a good amount of time handing out the Caucus endorsement card at West Gray. That’s the place to be seen. I’ll do it again next month. I want to recognize Jack Valinski for the time he spends at West Gray. He was an HCAD election warrior seated under the only shade tree on a series of very hot days, with voters showing up every so often. It’s a fact--You hand people the Caucus card and you’ve often made the sale. Voters have little idea about all those judgeships and want confirmation they are not voting for a nut. The card confirms that for the voter. More than that, the card is the result of a solid process where candidates are screened--by thoughtful volunteers--and the membership has voted. I’ve made a point to show up at the Caucus monthly meetings. Showing up is a big deal. It’s an intellectual act to know when to show up and to keep showing up. To know when to show up and lead, or more likely, when to show up in support or to get a job done. We don’t always reward the right things in politics and advocacy. I try to look for the people who consistently show up in a productive way. I want to celebrate my colleagues at the John Cornyn Houston Office Protest. I’m a co-organizer of the Protest, which marks it’s 400th consecutive week, with the exception of Hurricane Harvey, October 8th. We are there each Tuesday, 11:30-1, 5300 Memorial Dr. Please join us. Alternative structures are difficult to maintain and we are proud of what we’ve accomplished. We have a following that sees us each week at our busy corner, and on social media as well. The reactions we get each week are 10 to 1 positive. At the same time, things we’ve had thrown at us are eggs, a softball, potatoes, batteries and lit cigars, It’s essential people see others like themselves willing to stand openly and confidently for democracy. It’s essential we are not pushed out of public space by the aggression of the right. Showing up is sometimes about leading. I was proud at the August Caucus meeting to have successfully introduced a motion against Mayor Whitmire’s anti-First Amendment ordinance, that would prohibit protest at the homes of politicians. We can’t be pushed out of public space by the right, and we can’t be pushed out of public space by elected officials. The Caucus statement opposing the ordinance talked about Stonewall and Act Up. Protest matters. It can’t be that Ted Cruz can take part in an insurrection, but we can’t stand outside his house with a sign. Because activism makes a difference, Mayor Whitmire didn't have the votes for passage and the issue was sent to committee. May it languish there. Volunteerism is important. It also has its limits. Business as usual has taken us to the brink of authoritarianism and mass round-ups of migrants. Attorney General Paxton is conducting violent police raids of both rank & file activists, and viable candidates for the Texas House. There is no expectation election results will be respected. Authoritarianism will require a local infrastructure. Local elected officials--people we know--need to be asked if they support calls for post-election “bloodbaths” and the groundwork being established for the--literal--elimination of trans people. If we don’t ask--if our elected officials don’t ask the councilmember sitting next to them --then don’t be surprised if that councilmember is standing next to Ken Paxton when they knock down your door. The Caucus Card is a vital part of local political infrastructure. It should be well-funded. Soon enough the Caucus may be seeking money for bail funds and to get people out of Texas. We know the Caucus will show up and be present. I started the Houston Democracy Project in May, 2023. The Project has many aspects including an hour long segment each Thursday morning on the Egberto Willies Politics Done Right broadcast on KPFT. Please go to my website Houstondemocracyproject.com and contribute. Ask others to do the same. The conventional political system system is not keeping us safe. We’ve got to win elections, and we must see that far more may be required. We need to reassess who gets resources. What we value. Ask yourself who would show up for you in authoritarian situation? On the right side of a police line? Who would show up for anybody, including people superficially different than themselves? And when we win, because we are going to win, ask yourself who you’ll be able to look at and say--They showed up. Thank you. Here is my fundraising pitch for Houston Democracy Project. I'm doing the work and showing up in many different ways. Please help the effort. Please sign the Houston Democracy Project petition to make the pledge to show up for freedom in 2024 no matter what. The Houston Democracy Project works daily to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County. Please share word of the Houston Democracy Project and support the effort with your contribution. If you have a question about the Project or a suggestion, please send an e-mail to [email protected]
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