ADD QUEERS TO U.S. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT -- Sign the petition

When I was a twentysomething lad, I managed the successful Congressional campaign for my dear friend and comrade in the movement against the Vietnam war Bella Abzug (right). In her six years in Congress, she compiled a record of many "firsts" -- including the first-ever proposed federal protection for civil rights for lesbians and gays. Her proposal was simple: add queers to those protected by the existing U.S. Civil Rights passed in 1964. I'm proud to say I had a hand in her introducing that bill.

Now, a new online LGBT organizing site called The Power Line has launched an online petition asking Speaker Nancy Pelosi to lead in amending the U.S. Civil Rights Act to include protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

This is the right approach, instead of the fragmentary attempt to accomplish these goals piece by piece. And it's  long past time when we need to get back to first principles.

You can join in signing the petition by clicking here.