Comments on: LGBT leaders mourn death of Frank Kameny

By: laurelboy2

laurelboy2 — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 22:15:50 +0000

A little dramatic are we, Thomas?

I think you’ve confused Frank with Jesus Christ. I bow to the alter of the Lord; he provides me everything I need, not Frank Kameny.

By: Thomas B. DePriest

Thomas B. DePriest — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:26:03 +0000

Whenever a gay man or lesbian marches in a gay pride parade, it is because of the work of Frank Kameny.

Whenever we enter a gay or lesbian bar, it is because of the work of Frank Kameny.

Whenever we get jobs in the federal civil service or presidential appointments, it is because of the work of Frank Kameny.

Whenever we watch a drag show or a go-go dancer, it is because of the work of Frank Kameny.

Whenever we have a marriage ceremony, it is because of the work of Frank Kameny.

Whenever we attend an HRC banquet, a fundraiser for NGLTF, and write a check to Lambda Legal, it is because of the work of Frank Kameny.

Sixty years ago, as a young man, he looked at the homophobia and anti-gay descrimination in the world and thought, this is wrong and I will change it. And he did.

We live in his shadow. We are all his children. His life changed all of our lives forever.

By: Greg DuRoss

Greg DuRoss — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:00:49 +0000

As I recall, I first discovered Frank Kameny at a GLAA meeting. His aggressive style could initially be offputting, but over time I came to appreciate the enormous positive impact he had on my life and the lives of every LGBT person, not just here in DC or the USA, but in the entire world. Think about it — he truly had an impact in much of the world. Yes, there are still countries like Uganda, and Iran, which just executed some gay people, but how many other countries and tens of millions of people have progressed in their attitudes and treatment GLBT people as a result of Frank’s efforts right here in Washington, DC? And he never stopped; he never retired. Those who did not know Frank, especially many young people today, may not fully understand why they should be forever grateful for the life and work of Frank Kameny. May he now rest in peace.