Hi there!
I’m Rachel E. B. Lang and today I “glittered” Representative Michele Bachmann to draw attention to her anti-gay crusade against families like yours and mine. As the proud daughter of a lesbian mom living in the state of Minnesota, I know first hand how harmful Michele’s anti-gay rhetoric and policy positions can be.
When I saw Bachmann today, I threw glitter in the air, and said, “You can run, but you cannot hide! Keep your hate out of our Constitution!” — a reference to the “You Can Run But You Cannot Hide” ministry for which Bachmann has helped raise money and to a proposed ban on same-sex marriage in Minnesota. The ministry, a brainchild of rabidly anti-gay Bradlee Dean, charges thousands of dollars to speak at public school assemblies and evangelize young people based on a shocking and offensive anti-gay program.
Bradlee Dean, the ministry’s founder and chief evangelist, was invited to give the opening prayer during the recent Minnesota legislative session that considered putting an anti-gay marriage amendment on the 2012 ballot. My mom is a Lutheran minister and has taught me the values of love and compassion that I so desperately wish Michele Bachmann and Bradlee Dean would cherish too.
Throwing glitter in the air was a fun, safe way to draw attention to some very serious issues. Young people deserve the right to feel safe and respected, and have their families reflected at school. And I deserve the right to see my lesbian mom get married one day! I’m not willing to be silent about the vicious attacks on families like ours.
I learned about COLAGE at the Netroots Nation in Minneapolis this weekend. I’m excited to be connected to a community of my peers who also have lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer parents and to join you in creating a world that celebrates ALL families!
In solidarity,
Rachel E. B. Lang