Monday: Volunteer roundup

Oh my goodness gracious, you would not believe how very busy I have been!

My volunteer work is done, and I feel very very good for it.

Thursday night I volunteered with the ENDA phone bank, calling up supporters in Minnesota and asking them to pledge to call their representatives to request a firm yes on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. ENDA is a bill that is currently in Congress that, when (Hopefully!) passed, will provide protection for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people in the work place.

Working out of the Equality California offices in Silver Lake, I found myself confronted with a work sheet on Non-Transgender/Non-Transsexual Privilege. I was only borrowing the desk for the evening, but the literature was lying out there, and as I dialed answering machine after answering machine, I couldn't help but read it.

As you can imagine, I am quite open-minded and endlessly accepting, but when faced with some of my own unintentional privilege, I realized that I had never stopped to consider the difficulties that some people face. Among these is the privilege of merely using a women's bathroom or locker room without question, though to be honest, I've used quite a few men's restrooms simply because they were empty and the lines for the women's restrooms were impossibly long. "It ain't nothing I haven't seen before," I'd say to the confused occupants as I marched without hesitation into a stall.

In Los Angeles, it's difficult to believe that we still need to make laws to protect people from, well, other people, but we must never stop striving toward equality. This gift is for my mother, who, as someone I see as a strong feminist despite her own confusion regarding, has imbibed me with a sense of equality and the strength to pursue it.

On Friday I went and helped out with One Voice. I rode my bicycle out to the Santa Monica Airport, where a hangar full of people had come together under one purpose of aid. Alongside strangers who quickly became friends, we packed boxes full of food to deliver to families in need. We assembly lined the boxes into trucks, and it was really encouraging to see a large group of people working together to help others. For a moment we ceased to be individuals, instead we were one energy united under a common goal. When possessed by the right mind, people are capable of great & beautiful things. I had come alone to the giant, glaring hangar filled with music & noise, and at first I was intimidated by the sheer magnitude of effort. But help was needed everywhere, so I simply stepped in, and I felt as though I were relinquishing my identity to the greater good. And it felt good. I told only two people my name, but I smiled & laughed with many more. I helped where a hand was needed, and though no one will remember my face, the families who receive the aid will know my heart.

One Voice was for my kid sister, who usually attends but couldn't make it this year.

On Saturday I drove out quite a distance to pick up a dog from his foster home and bring him to Petco for adoptions for Ace of Hearts. When I had agreed to the task, I had no idea that I would be meeting "Big Mac," a great white Mastiff Bulldog mix. Despite his size and rather homely appearance, he was a sweetheart, well-trained, and perfectly obedient. My favorite parts of the day were driving with him in my car, even as he slobbered all over my windows. While sitting in traffic, other drivers admired him, and I opened the window just enough for him to stick his head out, much to everyone's delight. Walking around with him, I felt protected & safe as people complimented Mac - from a safe distance. It made me realize how much I do love dogs and how much I miss having a dog around. The only real dog is a big dog, and the only way to keep a big dog is to keep a well-trained big dog. It was fun to pretend that he was my dog - maybe one day it will be a reality.

This was for my other sister, who has a way with animals that absolutely mystifies me.

I'm sorry I did not take any pictures. For a photographer, I have very limited evidence of my own life. I think that when it comes to photographs sometimes you end up living through the viewfinder...which is not life at all. I am often too busy getting my hands dirty with experience that I completely forget about the camera.

Tonight I am going to Rubin's house for some holiday cheer. Now that I've given myself to other organizations, it's time to take a little (Secular) Christmas for myself.