Progressives, Liberals, take a lesson from the great Harvey Milk, stop being in the closet

[Yavin4]

Wear your politics loud and proud. Stop saying things like "Oooo, don't say that. They won't like that in the Red states." Here's the thing, Trump's voters are going to back Trump no matter what. THERE IS NO CHANGING THEIR MINDS. Our path to victory lies in getting our base excited AND pulling in new voters, not placating Republicans.

Let all Democrats speak from their hearts. Speak their truths and stop hiding. To paraphrase Harvey, here's a dime. Call your parents and tell them that you're a Liberal.

[volstork]

1. Amen to this!

I have been fond of saying that no matter how hard the establishment (i.e.--old white dudes) tries to make it so, "it is never going to be 1952 ever again."
They still want to make it so. They are doing everything they can, including trying to burn this nation down, to make it so.

They want to send POC back to the back of the bus (and worse).
They want to send gay people back to the closet (and worse).
They want to send women back to the back-alley (and worse).

It is up to US to make sure it never is that way again. Even for those who belong to none of those groups, it is vital that we stand with them in the way of Niemoller and speak out for them, because it is speaking out for us all. We are the way forward. We should not deny that. We should stand proud and shout it loud.

[Yavin4]

2. You may not win every election, but you will gain respect from the people.

And soon they will support you.

[Aristus]

3. I came out of the liberal closet while I was still in the Army.

It was around the time of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'. I had made a number of good friends in the gay community of the St. Matthews District of Louisville, Kentucky.

A lot of my fellow soldiers were saying filthy things like: "I don't wanna have to serve with them!" or "How would you like to have to shower next to one of them?"

I spoke out against their bigotry and was accused myself of being gay for it. I simply said: "If you're so sure about it, report me and get me thrown out of the Army." No one ever did. Cowards.

I resolved never to stay quiet in the face of injustice just because it wasn't directed at me.

[RandomAccess]

4. Absolutely. Harry Truman would approve.