Run For Office!

I had to share the story of this person who is motivating and inspiring me in so many ways. Back in early July I got an email from this guy Chris in Michigan who had seen the LoveisLoveisLove site and was getting politically motivated and spurred on by all the attacks and bans being launched against gay marriage. He started sending out petitions and updates to his friends and would copy me on some of them. Then, last week he tells me about his exciting experience of running for Precinct Delegate and winning! His story made my day and I asked him if it would be okay to post some of it here to hopefully inspire others the way that it inspired me. We all have the power to change the things we see wrong in the world. It can start by making yourself and others aware and getting yourself to the polls. It can become RUNNING FOR OFFICE and working to improve things directly. On a related note, someone just recommended this kickass book to me: How to Run for Local Office. Go get it and get yourself on the ballot!

Ok, so here's the first email I got from Chris:

I have spent the day writing about the situation in Michigan regarding gay marriage. It sounds very similar to the law passed in Virginia, with the ultimate goal of wiping us out of existence. I cannot believe the absolute overwhelming emptiness and sadness I feel at this point. Through so much crap in life, I have been able to maintain some joy, but I feel this is gone as well. I find myself so startled by those professing a stand for equality while demonstrating one of discrimination - many perceived allies - that I feel there is little to trust anywhere. This country has become so centered in hate, evil and arrogance that I could barley make it through the big celebration day of July 4th. How could I celebrate a day dedicated to freedom at this time in this country? It appears that the only chance of equality is, frighteningly, becoming based upon being a majority.

I used to be vilified because I HAD to be a promiscuous deviant (because I was gay), now it's because I want to be in a committed, recognized relationship. Hmmmm....how cold BOTH of those be? All that is left is bigotry.

Geez, sorry to ramble, but THANK YOU for this site. I will be sending out the link ASAP. I saw Margaret here last fall at Eastern Michigan University and was so moved by her aggressive stance for equality, and her ability to educate and inspire, not to mention my admiration and love for her amazing performance and writing talents! My ASS MASTER shirt has been one of my favorites for years! I am so glad I was able to be there that night and it brought me to the site.

Please forgive how incoherent this email probably is, but you don't know how much it meant to find your site tonight. I cannot thank you enough.

Chris O'Brien

And here's what he's up to now as a new Precinct Delegate!

I did some investigation on how the far right gained control of the Republican party and discovered that they moved in quickly through delegate positions - helping to construct (or "deconstruct") their platform. So, I decided to run as Democratic Precinct Delegate write-in candidate here! I started three days before the election...yikes! But it ended up being a remarkable experience. We put together a flier and attached a pencil with the write-in information included on it (created by adhering clear laser-print labels). It was a riot seeing people show up at the polls with the pencils to take in with them while voting! We completed a very targeted canvassing Monday evening and worked the polls 13 hours (sunburn!) election day Tuesday, speaking to every voter who would talk to me. There were 193 votes cast in our precinct. About 30 of those were Republican (so I was out there), 45 were absentee (again, no chance there for me as a late write-in). So I had a chance on 120-ish possible votes in total. I ended up with 79 votes, the top vote-getter, and won! The poll workers said it was the first time they had seen it happen for a write-in candidate not included on the ballot, with four other people on the ballot, and they couldn't believe it. I surely was surprised, figuring there was no chance – especially with so many absentee ballots. They were really great at the polls, as were almost all of the people I was able to speak with that day. It was such a terrific experience to see how much people have in common, and not the overwhelming differences that some political leaders would have us believe. I was able to learn so much about the democratic process as well - a fascinating opportunity. I know I was very lucky!

Here was a bit of the info. I presented:

As a precinct delegate I will work to ensure a democratic platform based on:

- Neighborhoods having adequate participation and impact on issues directly affecting them
- Ensuring equality for all citizens and access to all civil rights and privileges
- Championing fiscally responsible social progress to better the quality of life of Michigan citizens
- Rolling back environmental erosion allowed under previous state and current national administrations (i.e. current dioxane issues literally under our feet)
- Support of public schools and educators to help them remain the cornerstone of education

The Coalition For A Fair Michigan was conducting a survey outside the polls and I convinced one of the workers to become a write-in candidate for his precinct as there weren't any Democratic delegates running. We worked together for a few hours and he won, too! Everyone should consider running in their precinct in the future. These are positions that afford a voice in the creation of the party platform, and having my friends among the people making these decisions would certainly make me feel optimistic.

The Washtenaw County Democratic Party Convention took place last Saturday. About 111 delegates and many other interested democrats attended. The agenda included meetings of three committees, one of which was the Resolution Committee. I decided to participate in this committee. (Delegates were able to select participation in one of the three committees including the Rules Committee, Credentials Committee and Resolution Committee.) In the meeting, resolutions were brought before the committee for introduction and debate. A group of us were concerned that, although the resolutions we were hearing were outstanding, there was not one regarding the proposed “marriage” amendment. We quickly met and I submitted the following (please see below). Which, was accepted UNANIMOUSLY! Later the three committees presented their report and the accepted resolutions were voted on by the entire group. There was some debate on various resolutions, but they were all adopted!

All resolutions adopted during the convention will be forwarded to the state platform committee for adoption and are to be advocated by the county’s delegation to said committee.

Following this incredible event, there were caucuses for the purpose of electing state pre-convention committee delegates and alternates. Included were two positions to the State Platform Committee - one male delegate and one male alternate delegate - to represent he 15th district. They accepted four nominations and someone nominated me. It came down to two of us and was really close. The delegate was great and I know he’ll be strong. I was elected as the alternate, and was so excited and more than a little surprised. Regular people can actually get involved and feel like they have a voice, and it can happen more quickly than I would have ever guessed. The resolution is included now and I will be attending the Pre-Convention Platform Committee training session and meeting!

Here is the resolution that was submitted and adopted:

TITLE OF RESOLUTION: Oppose the proposed “marriage” amendment to the Michigan Constitution.

Drafted by: Chris O’Brien

Adopted by: The Washtenaw County Democratic Party

WHEREAS: (It being a fact that:)

*Same-sex marriage is already against the law in Michigan.
*This Constitutional amendment would permanently ban civil unions for all unmarried couples.
*This Constitutional amendment would force employers to cancel the insurance and pension benefits they already offer to the unmarried partners, both gay and straight, to tens of thousands of Michigan workers.

RESOLVED: (A decision or solution to be made),

The Washtenaw Democratic Party opposes constitutionalized discrimination against unmarried couples and Michigan families.

What is most amazing to me is that anyone – including someone as boring, regular and simple as I - could participate and feel that it made a bit of a difference. The entire experience has been more than I could have ever imagined.

I know I keep saying this, but you, Margaret and the site have helped me so much with all of this. Through many frustrations and the loss of friends. I cannot possibly ever thank you enough. I talk about the site to EVERYONE. All the work you folks have put into it is amazing, and it means so much to me. I often feel alone and exhausted through much of this- like everyone else I'm sure, trying to figure out what, if anything, I can do next that will help. Having the site helps more than I could express.

My deepest gratitude to you, Margaret and everyone else who helps keep us connected, passionate and feeling less alone out here!

Hugs from Michigan,

Chris O'Brien