TROY'S 2017 RESIST MARCH SPEECH
Over 47 years ago, I helped found the oldest lesbian, gay, bi, transgender and queer PRIDE Parade in the world. Right here in Los Angeles.
We marched on Hollywood Boulevard. I was 29 years old.
Today, I stand before you, as a 77 year old, out, proud gay man who’s been married to my husband for 32 years. I have been a lesbian, bi, gay, transgendered advocate for over 50 years.
I’m here this morning to ask you all to march to resist hate. Last year, during PRIDE weekend, 49 members of the lesbian, gay, bi, transgendered and queer communities died in the largest mass murder in American history in Orlando, Florida. We remember them this morning.
Hate comes in many forms. We always have to resist it. The French have a saying: “Patience is bitter, but the fruit is sweet.”
When we held the first LGBTQ PRIDE Parade in 1970, if you were a member of our community, you could not hold a job without fear of being fired.
Landlords could refuse to rent you an apartment or a house. You could have your application for credit denied. You could have been denied insurance. All branches of the US armed forces discriminated against you.
I’m happy to say to you I’m a Vietnam era veteran and a gay man, and I’m very proud of that. You could be barred from teaching, from practicing law, for being a doctor of medicine, or in some states for even driving a cab.
Well, this is no longer 1970! That is why you’re marching today. We refuse to go back to 1970. We will resist all hate.
As we chanted in 1970, “an army of lovers can never be defeated.”
Welcome this morning.
We will win! Thank you!
