Stand up for your rights!

I have a friend who is gay and lives in Poland. You might know why that can't always be easy. A couple of days ago he sent me (and our other friends) an email about a new campaign his NGO has launched against homophobia. The campaign is supposed to make people 'put themselves in others' shoes' so to speak, to make them realise how much intolerant hate due to sexual orientation hurts.

I wanted to salute this friend. For his courage and stubbornness. When they couldn't find someone to model for the poster - they didn't want a model but someone who had experienced homophobia in their own lives - he ended up being the front man. With his picture on 150 posters across Warsaw. My favourite G, thinking he might as well 'walk the walk' and come out to everyone who don't know already.

G, if you see this please know that I am full of admiration for you! Not just your courage - anyone can imagine how hard it must be to make this decision - but for the way you are in the world. The way you thought about your life in relation to the campaign, as you wrote about in the email. The way you decided to f*** it and take on the challenge. That is truly inspiring. Truly liberating. Truly fascinating. Like Margaret Mead said "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has" - and G, you're the perfect example!

P.S. I will be posting the poster as soon as it's out in Poland - for now the NGO is still in the process of launching it.