Change Is Good: Taking time to emphasize the positive doesn't mean turning a blind eye to the world's woes

Opinion: My Facebook identity needs a change. For weeks, my profile photo has been the Trayvon Martin stylized black-and-white hoodie. My cover photo is Evgeny Feldman's Associated Press photo of activists in Moscow holding a rainbow banner that reads "Homophobia Is the Religion of Bullies." I chose the Martin profile picture because as a high school kid in Florida, driving home from work one night, I was trailed by a police officer. All I knew was headlights were following me, and I tried to evade them. There easily could've been an accident as I careened around corners with what I guessed to be some fag-bashing guys from the football team in hot pursuit. After a mile or so, the officer finally turned on his flashing lights. I immediately pulled over, of course. Lucky for both of us no harm had been done, though I certainly would've gotten the blame had there been. I learned then that if you're going to trail someone, you're surely responsible for whatever happens next. The Moscow protest photo stands as a reminder that LGBT people in Russia are fighting for not just their basic human rights, but their lives. Russia may not be following the lead of Iran and others in executing gays, but authorities have certainly fostered an environment that's made it open season on us. ... (more)

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