Here's to the Violets: My Thoughts on Gay Rights (Video)

Here's the text of a speech I wrote with my friend Ron Marasco for the Human Rights Campaign's recent gala in New Orleans. The clip of it is below. Enjoy!

I am so happy to be with all of you tonight. To celebrate the work you do--and to have a bourbon or two later.

The great Tennessee Williams wrote---

--of course I'm starting with Tennessee Williams. I'm in New Orleans, at the HRC gala, and I played Blanche DuBois.

Which is why I never go anywhere without a paper lantern in my purse.

Tennessee Williams wrote a line that I felt was appropriate for tonight. And appropriate to this time in our history, your history, and to the rights that everyone in this room is fighting for. It is a line that meant so much to him, it's on his gravestone.

"The violets in the mountains have broken the rocks."

"The violets in the mountains have broken the rocks."

To me, its meaning is simple. The hard, the cold, the oppressive will--at long last--be broken apart by a force that is beautiful, natural, colorful, alive.

That's what tonight is about, what the people in this room are about. We're a bunch of violets breaking through the rocks.

And it is happening.

The rock is cracking away. The rock of hate and falsehood is being broken apart.

All across this country, regular Americans who were born and bred in towns where a gay couple wouldn't dare walk down a street--all over these American Main Streets--something is changing.

Blue-collar guys are looking up from their work, grandmothers are speaking up at the dinner table; and they are saying something to members of their family, and co-workers, who are against gay marriage.

They are saying in one, increasingly-loud American voice, "Honey, rather than worry about who someone else loves--and why, think about who you hate--and why!"

The violets are breaking through the rocks.

America has always been a country of common sense. A country of innate goodness--although a goodness that is sometimes slow to action. As Winston Churchill said, "Americans are always ready to do the right thing. After they have exhausted all the other possibilities."

We have exhausted all the other possibilities. And it is time to call an injustice an injustice.

It is an injustice that we send a gay or lesbian soldier to die in a war--to give their life for a country that won't let them be legally bound to the person they love.

It is an injustice that a soldier gives their life for a Military--an exemplary Military in every way--except one in which they cannot have the picture of their lover cut-out in the shape of a heart and taped to their locker because that would be "telling." Such a ugly word.

It is an injustice that, in this room, many of you pay your tax money to the very public institutions that deny you rights other Americans enjoy; pay your tax money for public schools that will not accept you as legal parents; pay your tax money for the paper on which they print the goddamn marriage licenses you cannot get.

And while you are paying your tax money for all of the above, a preacher can stand in the pulpit of a multi-million-dollar mega-church advocating the damnation of gay Americans and not pay one thin dime in taxes.

You know, I occasionally watch those preachers on the Christian TV stations.

I always think to myself: How can I believe your theology when I can't believe your hair?

I find it intellectually offensive when people shrink the Bible to fit the small-mindedness of their bigotry.

Leviticus 18:22 and Deuteronomy 22:5...the famous list of the "abominations." Bible verses which, by the way, also list as a mortal sin things like "the wearing of a garment made of two different kinds of fabric."

Yes, the Bible verse they use to condemn homosexuality also calls Polyester-blend an abomination.

Well, in this, perhaps the Lord has a point. But if you took away all the Polyester-blends in those mega-churches....most of the women would be naked.

In my Bible I see no evidence of Jesus telling same-sex couples they cannot love each other.

And he could have. He was a carpenter--if he made good furniture every gay man in Nazareth knew Him.

The fact is: it's happening.

All the violets--gay Americans, lesbian Americans, Bi-sexual Americans, transgender Americans, people of color, and the people of this city forgotten by Washington in hurricane Katrina--we are all are starting to break through the mountain of straight, white, male lawmakers in Washington.

Their time is over. And they know it. Which is why they are looking increasingly ridiculous and beleaguered. To me those guys look like one, big casting-call for the lead role in a very bad production of Death of Salesmen.

Because America is starting to say those lawmakers are wrong about "Don't ask don't tell," and wrong to oppose gay marriage. The way they were wrong, wrong, wrong about the war in Iraq.

A war that was created by who? A straight, white man named George W. Bush. A straight, white man named Dick Cheney. And a straight, white man named Condoleezza Rice.

The rocks are breaking. And it's time to call certain people on the hypocrisy of their stance against gay marriage.

Newt Gingrich: against gay marriage, but on his third wife.

That recent convert to an anti gay-marriage stance, Rudy Giuliani: third wife. Rush Limbaugh: vehemently against gay marriage and....yep, third wife. A third wedding that was performed by none other than Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Clarence Thomas: second wife.

4 men, eleven marriages, and you must be lectured on love by them? This Mount Rushmore of Divorce!

Ladies and gentlemen, as all of you in this room know so well, political activism tells us now what history will tell us later.

The people who support "don't ask don't tell;" and who oppose "gay marriage" are wrong. And their children and grandchildren will know they were wrong.

This is the age of Obama. And the people who oppose these causes need to realize that. But there is someone else who needs to realize that this is the Age of Obama.

Obama.

It is time, Mr. President. Do not fall behind others on these issues. My God, Dick Cheney announced that he is in favor of gay marriage.

And on that very day, the National Weather Service reported hell froze over.

So Mr. President, please catch up. Or you are in danger of being considered "just to the right" of a man who is "just to the left" of Vlad-the-Impaler.

Newsweek magazine just said about gay marriage--and I quote: "This train's left the station. Time to get on board."

It is happening.

Something is changing.

Oh--there is still a lot of work to be done. But it will happen.

And when it does--when "Don't ask don't tell" is scrapped, when gay men and women can marry the people they love--when that day comes, people across this great land will be looking for a place to party.

And I say: Come on down to New Orleans! I'll be so happy I might swing naked in a window on Bourbon Street!

Me and Rachel Maddow!

Yes, across America we will celebrate because, at long last, that day will have arrived. But to the people in this room--that day will not only have arrived for you, it will have arrived because of you.

Thank you HRC. Here's to the violets.

Comments

[M1]

Very nice article. Thank you.

[Willow712]

Very good article. Patricia Clarkson, you rock! As a straight 56 year old Grandma in small town Iowa, let me know when you and Rachel Maddow are going to swing in a window in NO, I'd like to be there! The world is changing, but its sure slow. We need more articles like this. We need to keep it in the forefront.

[GlennInVenice]

I would just as much love to visit you. You sound wonderful. :-)

[NWBrunette]

You go girl! Let the truth ring out across the land.

[MrBurlesk]

Terrific speech, terrific sentiment. Thank You! My only cncern now is that we have a president who apparently must be courted and wooed to do the things he pledged so vehemently during his campaign (and not just about gay issues; the healthcare struggle in this country is off to a much shakier start than it should be with pressure now coming for Obama to tax healthcare benefits). At times I don't think he realizes just how much power he actually holds, and at other times I think he is all too aware and is purposefully withholding action on LGBT issues for purposes purely personal and political. Is his slick talk on our behalf just another way of keeping us pacified and in our place? Six months into a new administration my hope is fading fast as unemployment rates rise and right wing extremists begin acting out in violent, deadly ways. I have to agree with one other person who blogged who said that ending this "debate" over gay rights may be the way to finally bring about the change we are entitled to. "Treating homosexuals differently than heterosexuals is unconstitutional," should be our mantra and we should repeat it until we silence those who would say otherwise.

[Anna Kaminsky]

Harsh. President Obama may have been naive, and did not expect such opposition on LGBT issues. Already disappointed with the economic situation? "Purposely withholding action?" He needs courting and wooing? That's backwards. That is his job. Apparently I am among the few who do not see him as disingenuous. I see a man who is very aware of the progress being made beyond the White House. He is carefully choosing the time to act to be successful..He knows to soon will be a big mistake. His claims of fighting for equality for all is indisputable. This African American man accused of being Muslim, and a terrorist, to appeal to haters, had a rough road from minute one. So he was careful. Now that he knows us better he can share his connection to the Muslim world through his extended family. I am confident that when he feels it is the time to act, he will share with us his support of civil uniions and gay marriage. Criticism, he has to accept because he can' t let that dictate his better judgment of the how and when. I have been watching him closely for three years. It is disheartening that in 5 months he has been criticized for not fulfilling every one of his intended actions. We do not deserve him.

[roblabrousse]

I sort of agree with you. Although at times it is disheartening that Obama hasn't stepped up to speak out I think it is the politics that holds him back. The Republicans have been so vicious on things he's done to try and save us from economic annihilation, imagine what would happen if he took on gay rights before national health care? I think we can fight our fight. Be patient and wait until the mid term elections to see what happens. If the Democrats gain more seats so much the better. If not he could still use executive powers to start some changes. But it's still up to gays to get better organized and fight. It doesn't look as though there is any national coalition being organized. We have to stage civil rights marches for this to be identified once and for all as a cause.

[Raiderfan0524]

I couldn't have said this better myself. It's better for things to get done slowly and have them stick than it is for President Obama to try and rush something through, get it thrown back in his face, and lose any chance to get anything else done. This man has a lot on his plate. Can he get more than six months?

[livinCalDemtbubble]

Thank you Ms. Clarkson for the wonderful, affirming speech. In behalf of my family, including my husband and son, you are a hero! Your advice to Obama is timely and just, but, unfortunately, he's not going to take it. At this point he sees GLBT people as needy, weak, desperate, and therefore not to be taken seriously, just to be used for their money and talent. But with voices such as yours, who knows, maybe he will take notice. God Bless.

[superstition]

We don't just need DADT scrapped. We need the people who were fired to be fully reinstated with back pay.

[MrBurlesk]

Here Here!

[JohnJames]

Wonderful. Hope Obama too will be willing to do the right thing after he has also exhausted every other possibility.

[superstition]

"Top gay in the administration says ENDA, DADT, and DOMA have no chance at this point"

http://www.americablog.com/2009/06/top-gay-in-administration-says-enda.html

[JohnJames]

Thanks for the link. One more dark cloud ( not that we really need Obama in the long run - our movement and struggle is far bigger than glamor boy Obama). I can't figure out what he's thinking. The opposition party is getting beaten up daily for its bigotry, so what better time to support gay rights? The polls favor ENDA and a repeal of DADT and most Americans, whether they favor gay rights or not, give credit to a politician who honors his word or at least makes an attempt to do so. I don't get it. They're also seriously underestimating the extent to which gay and lesbian Americans' patience has run out if the Obama administration thinks they'll get our support for a second term with nothing having been done and, given the marvelous economic prospects, it's hardly likely to be a close election.

[MrBurlesk]

This is shocking stuff, an outrage, and -- if true -- a complete betrayal of LGBTs nationwide.

[M1]

I just read the link. Administration to wait until second term for Gay rights...What a bunch of used car salesmen. As pissed of as that link made me, I will have no trouble voting Republican. Hurry, we need a new party before I get sick thinking about it. Definitely not going to remain a democrat if all this is true. Lou Dobbs move over....I'm going independent.

I liked that little comment about not pressing Obama but going after Congress. We can do both. Pathetic. If this is all true, times will get very interesting. It is so on now!

[billieTEE]

thank u ms. clarkson, so wonderful to read these remarks. love "the violets are breaking thru the rocks...." by tennessee williams.... seems to me the government and the military owe all GLBT people one of those blue angel showplanes.... there should be a LAVENDER angel in every squadron...because of all the $$ we pay in taxes and all the benefits (such as Social Security for our spouses etc.) that we are DENIED under current goverment policies.

[Theda]

Patricia, I loved you in "Good Night & Good Luck" and most recently, that hilarious SNL video!
Is it true you're going to star as Phyllis Diller in a film about her life? Sounds like a wonderful project.

[LMPE]

This reminds me of Charlie Chaplin's speech at the end of "The Great Dictator", when he calls for an end to tyranny.

Patricia Clarkson is one of the greatest actresses of our era!

[FrReader]

Breathtakingly beautiful... Thank you, Patricia Clarkson! I would LOVE to hear Barack Obama give a similar speech. Your choice of the Tennessee Williams quote is spot on. Thank you so much.

[superstition]

We've had speeches. What we need is for the firings to stop. We need to stop getting news like a brief was filed in support of DOMA that makes very troubling and specious comparisons.

[M1]

Speeches? How about some meaningful action? Too late for speeches.

[MrBurlesk]

More speeches? You want to hear "a similar speech" from Obama? Are you so mesmerized by prattle that you'll just sit and listen and sit and listen and sit and listen so long as people tell you things you want to hear -- yet actively deny you and your gay brothers and sisters rights that should already be protected under federal and state constitutions?

Sure, let's have more speeches. But let's have more angry speeches. More fists being hammered on lecterns. More defiance. What will it take to get some ACTION out of Obama? Or are we being too shortsighted when we look to the president for support and guidance? Is freedom ours for the taking if we simply TAKE it? Power is apparently there for those who seize it. What is really holding back the LGBT community right now? How do we get past that? How do we get past speeches that are clever and which lead to more clever speeches, yet no action? What next?

[SD Indy]

Great job Ms. Clarkson. The only change I would make is that I would delete the Condi Rice crack (about her being a straight white male). Other than that, EVERYTHING was spot on. Don't get me wrong, I laughed my @ss off, but I have the feeling this could come back to bite ya in the you know where.

[dlo2zen]

Let me help HP out here. There is no debate, treating homosexuals differently than heterosexuals is unconstitutional. See, that was easy. For now on merely repeat that sentence and HP can do away with any more blogging or commenting about this subject. Reports about how states and the federal government currently discriminate against homosexuals is one thing, debating an issue for which there is no debate is quite another. If you continue to allow these debates you give credibility to the idea that there is a "gay marriage debate." There is no such debate because discrimination against gays is illegal and entirely indefensible.

[onwisconsin]

Absolutely on the spot. It is discrimination and as such violates the equal protection clause. (And of course others as well...)

We've solved it.

Now, President Obama, be true to who you were back when you were running for Senate (You know, when you said you were for gay marriage). Or at least back when you were running for President (for civil unions). Repeal DOMA and get rid of Don't Ask Don't Tell.

[TigersEye]

Injustice will become obsolete when every human being is recognized for what we are, brothers and sisters under the skin, regardless of race, culture, gender and sexual orientation.

[Joeyj1220]

Ms. Clarkson, as I suspected, is one classy lady! Bravo!