A Thanks from Our Poster Boy Zack

For those that bought our 2010 Benefit Calendar, a few things! It looks like they’re shipping, so, 1) Here is an explanatory one-pager that you can print yourself, in case you’re giving these as gifts and you want it explained what the heck is going on here: It is a PDF file. 2) When the money comes through, which should be just after New Year’s, we are going to send Zack a nice chunk of change. Yay! Good job! And 3) Now a few words from Zack! (And also a picture of him on a fake fur rug in a Santa hat, in honor of the season.)

SANTA ZACK

Zack writes:

I have been blown away by all of the kind words-this having all started with a piece of an old box and some leftover house paint. I don’t consider any of what I do extraordinary; it’s just something I feel I have to do, none of which would be possible without the people that have preceded me while putting so much on the line. If it wasn’t for things like One magazine, or a few pissed-off drag queens at a rundown bar called the Stonewall, I wouldn’t have the ability to write into the local paper or to stand on the court house lawn protesting-doing something that, not 50 years ago, could have resulted in jail or worse. I think that everyone fights for gay rights in their own way but in the end it all builds to the same goals and dreams. The drag queens are out there with a self confidence that most will never know, while the protesters are aggressive in their willingness to put themselves on the forefront of the fight for equality. There are people working through political means who call their representatives and do the footwork of building legislation. The act of coming out or starting a family are all ways that push equality. Once people see that, yes. we are gay but we are sons, daughters, neighbors, parents, or friends they can put it into perspective. We are both all over and hiding in plain sight. Thanks again for this, your kindness, and to everyone that takes a stand in their own way. P.S. straight friends: sometimes we don’t give you your well deserved high fives, so: UP HIGH!

Word!