Statement in Support of "Occupy San Diego"

Dear 99%,

The San Diego Alliance for Marriage Equality would like to thank all of those who are courageously occupying the streets from Wall Street, to San Diego, to Greece. We are in solidarity with those who are willing to sacrifice and make a stand against this system of inequality, injustice, and intolerable corruption. We are challenged not only with being a part of the 99% robbed by the ruling class, but as LGBTQ people we face additional economic disadvantages within this system. In many states we face being discriminated against in housing and in the majority of states we can even be fired for who we are or who we love. Queer teenagers are at times tormented, bullied, and are more likely to drop out of high school than those perceived as heterosexual. LGBT teenage suicide is thought to be at least four times the rate of the population at large.

The violence used against the Occupiers in the last few days by the New York Police Department is not unlike the violence that has been perpetuated by the state against queer people throughout history. We condemn all violence used by police against protesters. Let us all be reminded of the Stonewall Rebellion in June of 1969. Disenfranchised people of Greenwich Village fought police harassment and violence and rioted night after night, weary of the abuse by the system. These events are now regarded as a turning point in the movement for LGBT rights.

We certainly face a difficult task before us, in this occupation and in the struggle to come. Through unity, organizing, struggle, and perseverance we will be victorious in our goals of creating a just and equal society. Members of S.A.M.E. will be participating in the occupation and General Assembly meetings; we look forward to victory by your sides.

With respect and in Solidarity,
San Diego Alliance for Marriage Equality”