Why I give my money and time to PROMO, Missouri's LGBT equality organization -- and why you should too!
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By Ken Haller, MD | Contact
Ken Haller, MD is the Vice President of the board of PROMO, Missouri's statewide LGBT civil rights organization, and is board member of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association.
He is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine.
He has been recognized for outstanding leadership by the American Medical Association, the National Coalition for LGBT Health, the Illinois State Medical Society and the St. Louis Pediatric Society.
He is actively involved in media and community outreach and advocacy on issues such as child abuse, HIV/AIDS, LGBT health issues, social justice and community health.
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GETTING ACTIVE WITH PROMO
I've lived in the state of Missouri for over twenty years, and while I've been active in a number of LGBT organizations locally and nationally, it wasn't until 2004 that I became actively involved in PROMO, Missouri's statewide LGBT civil rights and political action organization. The reason was - as it was for so many in our community in that year - that an amendment to the Missouri constitution was on the ballot to outlaw marriage between persons of the same gender. Never mind that the state already had a law banning such a practice.
Conservatives controlling the legislature were using our community as a scapegoat for all of society's ills in a cynical attempt to maintain and consolidate their power. So while I'd always been active in the community and had even been a long-time member of PROMO, this galvanized me to become a major donor and eventually a board member.
HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
While we lost the amendment battle, I began to see that we had a good chance of winning the equality war. Although 2004's Amendment 2 banning same-sex marriage was passed by a 71% to 29% margin, I was struck by the fact that 29% of Missourians actually voted AGAINST the amendment.
Even by the most inclusive standards of counting percentages of persons in the population who would identify as LGBT, 29% is far above what anyone's wildest estimates. As such, I realized that we do have allies in this state.
Our voices are being heard. A small but significant number of straight people in Missouri, right here, right now, are starting to see those of us in the LGBT community, not at The Other, but as their neighbors, friends, and family.
PROMO'S VITAL ROLE
And the reason, in large part, is PROMO.
Sure, it's crucial that each and every one of us who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender come out as much as we can. When straight people know us, they generally take us into the larger community.
But it is crucial that we have a statewide LGBT political organization to back us up. I can't get to Jefferson City more than once a year, but PROMO is there constantly. And on that one day that I can go - PROMO Lobby Day is March 26 this year - PROMO has prepared packets, arranged meetings, and organized our message to make us effective and credible.
I depend on PROMO Action Alerts to help me get in touch with legislators around issues crucial to our community, like the Missouri Non-discrimination Act (MONA) and the Safe Schools Bill.
I depend on the PROMO Political Action Committee to help me decide whom I will support in statewide elections. In short I cannot imagine how I would function politically in the state of Missouri as an out gay man without the presence and work of PROMO.
JOIN ME IN SUPPORTING PROMO
I support a number of organizations that work for justice for the LGBT community, as well as for members of other marginalized communities, but PROMO is the organization to which I give most of my volunteer time and charitable money.
As former House Speaker Tip O'Neill once said, "All politics is local." In a federal system like ours, the laws that will have the most effect on Missouri's LGBT community, for better or worse, will come from the Missouri legislature.
PROMO is the one organization that can be most effective at making Missouri a better place for LGBT persons to live and work. I urge you to join me in supporting the vital work of PROMO.
