Frank Kameny

Back in my high school days, if a guy wanted to insult another guy, he'd accuse him of sucking dicks. Not being a worldly person, I assumed that this was all talk, that nobody actually did that sort of thing. Yes, I was a totally overprotected being.

When I started college in 1968, I became interested in the wonderful world of campus protest. One day, a man named Frank Kameny showed up and gave the first speech I had ever heard on gay rights. I was quite taken aback that, not only did homosexuals exist, but that this man publicly admitted to being one.

I don't suppose that I can say that from that very day my eyes were opened, but I had definitely learned a thing or two.

The memory of that day was freshened for me today on a Daily Kos diary by one Michael Petrelis. Mr. Petrelis wants President Obama to give Frank Kameny the Medal of Freedom.

Here is a link to Petrelis's blog (and I hope he doesn't mind my linking there):

http://mpetrelis.blogspot.com/

The post in question is from May 31, 2010.

Frank Kameny was the bravest of men, campaigning for gay rights when things were many times more dangerous for a homosexual than they are today.