A Special Message to My Clients

Dear friends,

There is nothing I can say or share with you that hasn't already been said. I don't know what exactly to say to you, but I know I must say something.

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

I'm sure that I'm no different than any of you in that this week has brought a wave of emotion and thought trying to process the horrific murder of our LGBT friends in Orlando. I've had some ask me if I think this is about terrorism or homophobia or gun control or mental illness. I don't think this tragedy fits into one little box. What I do know is that this has hit our community in a deep and profound way. Why? Well, I can tell you that with previous terror attacks, I never heard anyone say, "they deserved it" or "49 less pedophiles". I didn't hear with previous mass shootings anyone say, "they were lesser people because they didn't love Jesus" or "I wish you were in Orlando." The list goes on and on.

An act like this is a reminder of our greatest fears. We have come so far as a community, but we still face so much hurt and hatred. Sure, we have marriage equality and we've repealed don't ask, don't tell, but I'm still scared to hold my girlfriend's hand in public (I do it anyway), I still worry about what my straight clients think when they see my rainbow flag and HRC logo in my office, and I still hesitate to say the words "I am gay" in a room of people who already know. At the same time, we've seen an out pouring of support, solidarity, and a renewed sense of purpose. My family and friends have shared their grief both personally with me and publicly.

No, there's nothing I can say that hasn't been said. But what I can say to you, my clients, is that I sincerely appreciate you and I am proud of you. I started my law practice to specifically help our community and 11 years in, I am here for one reason: YOU. You have inspired me with your families, with your stories, with your commitment to love and equality. As a result, you have made me more confident to be comfortable in my own skin...to be more visible...to be more authentic. I realize that as much progress as I've made personally that I am not on the "other side" of my coming out journey like I thought. I don't think we ever really are. So while I am more honest and open about ALL of who I am and who I love, I have a ways to go. I need to care more about being a visible example of our community than I do about making someone uncomfortable...even if that someone is me. It's a scary thing being that vulnerable. It's also the most liberating and it's how we will change hearts and minds.

I don't know where we go from here. What I do know that this is our Pride Month and I'm personally renewing my commitment to being out and proud and to show compassion and love to all, both within and outside of our community. We can all do better.

Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts with you...there are so many more that I cannot possibly put into words, but I know I do not have to, because you feel it too. And thank you again for supporting me and my passion for our community.

Be strong. Be loud. Be proud.