"We have to keep moving forward"
By Causten Wollerman, Training Director, Obama for America – Colorado
on July 26, 2012
Causten Wollerman writes:
"Before I understood I was gay or trans I knew that I wanted to be in politics. There are recordings of me no older than eight answering the question of what I wanted to be when I grew up with, "President." Even at that age I wanted to accomplish something big, something bigger than myself.
"One of my first jobs after high school was working on an LGBT Voter Registration drive in my home state of Colorado. Every day I would go out to wherever I could find my fellow LGBT people and persuade every eligible voter to register.... I have since gone on to work with national LGBT organizations and LGBT marriage campaigns across the country. I've loved the work I've done with the LGBT community and our allies.
"In May, I saw a job description for a position with the Obama campaign, and couldn't stop thinking about the opportunity because our President speaks so clearly to my values of opportunity and fairness....
"I am especially grateful for the initiative the President's administration has taken toward LGBT equality, including extending hospital visitation and medical decision-making rights to LGBT patients and their partners, as well as publicly endorsing and supporting the Employment Non-Discrimination Act....
"We all have skills and gifts to offer our LGBT community and our country, and working to support President Obama is a way to contribute. He works hard for us and I'm proud to work hard for him."
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Out of respect for those with varying viewpoints, please limit discussion to transgender issues and the participation of transgender people in the political process. Personally I believe that every transgender person who is open and out, and that has the support of his or her candidate and campaign in publicly being part of that campaign, is a positive sign of progress, and will try to share the stories I come across regardless of the candidate. Way to go, Mr. Wollerman!
-MadelineB
