It was difficult because of
the strong emotion that the
Phelps’ clan is able to bring
out in people. They are valid
feelings and it helps to let
them out. It was my goal to
keep this event positive and
help the crowd express their
hurt in a way that made
them feel good about
themselves
In the midst of his own
hectic schedule, Chris
Mason somehow managed
to find the time and energy to contribute to my NEVER BLEND IN research. The
following interview is an extract from our interview, 24 July 2009, where we focus
on his current progress and goals with the Driving Equality project.
What are the goals of DRIVING EQUALITY?
The goal of Driving Equality is to bring attention to the state of the nation
concerning LGBT issues. This is the UNITED States of America, yet for LGBT people,
these states are anything but united. We can marry in some states, but not in
others. We are protected from employment discrimination in a few states, but not
in the majority. In some states we are protected under hate-crimes legislation, but
in many states we are not.
We may be equal in the eyes of the law in one state, but if we were to drive a few
hours, we suddenly lose our rights and become second-class citizens. Driving
Equality will highlight the inequality LGBT people face in every part of America. I
want to highlight the discrimination being faced by our community, but also share
the incredible progress that is being made.
the strong emotion that the
Phelps’ clan is able to bring
out in people. They are valid
feelings and it helps to let
them out. It was my goal to
keep this event positive and
help the crowd express their
hurt in a way that made
them feel good about
themselves
In the midst of his own
hectic schedule, Chris
Mason somehow managed
to find the time and energy to contribute to my NEVER BLEND IN research. The
following interview is an extract from our interview, 24 July 2009, where we focus
on his current progress and goals with the Driving Equality project.
What are the goals of DRIVING EQUALITY?
The goal of Driving Equality is to bring attention to the state of the nation
concerning LGBT issues. This is the UNITED States of America, yet for LGBT people,
these states are anything but united. We can marry in some states, but not in
others. We are protected from employment discrimination in a few states, but not
in the majority. In some states we are protected under hate-crimes legislation, but
in many states we are not.
We may be equal in the eyes of the law in one state, but if we were to drive a few
hours, we suddenly lose our rights and become second-class citizens. Driving
Equality will highlight the inequality LGBT people face in every part of America. I
want to highlight the discrimination being faced by our community, but also share
the incredible progress that is being made.
www.ambiente.us AUGUST | AGOSTO 2009
NEVER BLEND IN | PART TWO
CHRIS MASON | DRIVING EQUALITY
Researched and Written by David Watters
You can't see anything from a car; you've got to get out
of the goddamn contraption and walk, better yet crawl,
on hands and knees, over the sandstone and through the
thorn-brush and cactus. When traces of blood begin to
mark your trail, you'll see something, maybe. -Edward Abbey
CHRIS MASON
Chris Mason, who is the inspiring figure behind Driving Equality
(http://drivingequality.com/) and a full-time student majoring in Peace and
Justice Studies at Tufts University, has been a pro-equality advocate since early
childhood.
NEVER BLEND IN | PART TWO
CHRIS MASON | DRIVING EQUALITY
Researched and Written by David Watters
You can't see anything from a car; you've got to get out
of the goddamn contraption and walk, better yet crawl,
on hands and knees, over the sandstone and through the
thorn-brush and cactus. When traces of blood begin to
mark your trail, you'll see something, maybe. -Edward Abbey
CHRIS MASON
Chris Mason, who is the inspiring figure behind Driving Equality
(http://drivingequality.com/) and a full-time student majoring in Peace and
Justice Studies at Tufts University, has been a pro-equality advocate since early
childhood.
| . |
| . |
When just 9 years old, he created the organization S.C.A.R.F (Save Condemned
Amazon Rainforests) which raised enough money to purchase and preserve an
acre of land in the Amazon rainforest.
At High School, Mason actively promoted tolerance, acceptance and
diversity as president of the Gay/Straight Alliance. More than this,
he also worked hard to educate others, in the wider community,
on LGBT issues.
At just 27, his activism has already led to roles including, field
organizer for MassEquality and founder of the watchdog group
TakeMassAction.
He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Friends of GLBT Youth,
who are “dedicated to eradicating homophobia and transphobia in order
to allow all young gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people the
opportunity to reach their full potential” and is co-chair of the LGBT activist
organization Join The Impact MA, whose mission is to secure “full equality for
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer identified people” through their
collaboration with individuals and existing LGBTQ groups to maximize their
“collective impact both locally and nationwide while respecting diversity of
opinion and belief”.
DRIVING AMBITION
THE PLEDGE DRIVE
Liberty and freedom, particularly for those identifying as LGBT, are not consistent
Amazon Rainforests) which raised enough money to purchase and preserve an
acre of land in the Amazon rainforest.
At High School, Mason actively promoted tolerance, acceptance and
diversity as president of the Gay/Straight Alliance. More than this,
he also worked hard to educate others, in the wider community,
on LGBT issues.
At just 27, his activism has already led to roles including, field
organizer for MassEquality and founder of the watchdog group
TakeMassAction.
He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Friends of GLBT Youth,
who are “dedicated to eradicating homophobia and transphobia in order
to allow all young gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people the
opportunity to reach their full potential” and is co-chair of the LGBT activist
organization Join The Impact MA, whose mission is to secure “full equality for
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer identified people” through their
collaboration with individuals and existing LGBTQ groups to maximize their
“collective impact both locally and nationwide while respecting diversity of
opinion and belief”.
DRIVING AMBITION
THE PLEDGE DRIVE
Liberty and freedom, particularly for those identifying as LGBT, are not consistent
| . |
across the “United” States, which is why Chris Mason has chosen to take action
with his latest project, Driving Equality.
He is currently midway through a 107-day, 48 State, 16, 000-mile road
-trip with a mission to examine LGBT inequality and discrimination
throughout the United States.
Mason has largely funded the trip through creative and
enterprising initiatives, such as a Rick-a-Thon and a Phelps
-a-Thon. For the first, donors were asked to pledge a fee for
each minute Rick Warren spoke at the Presidential
Inauguration and of the Phelps-a-Thon Mason stated on his
website, www.Phelps-a-Thon.com:
I had the idea of holding a Phelps-a-Thon, where people
pledge for every minute the Phelps' crew protests. I decided that
this tactic would be the perfect way to counteract Phelps’ hate.
I organized the Phelps-A-Thon and collected pledges. On the day of the protest, I
made a large sign and displayed it across the street from the Phelps clan. About
75 people came to support the Phelps-A-Thon. I brought my bullhorn and milk
crate and started the show.
As the Phelps’ clan started to protest, holding up their virulently anti-gay signs, the
pro-LGBT crowd began to yell nasty things back at them. At this point, I stood up
on my milk crate, bullhorn in hand, and announced to the crowd that the Phelps’
clan was raising money for LGBT equality. People cheered. I told the crowd, and
the Phelps crew, about the hundreds of people from all over the country that had
donated to the Phelps-A-Thon. I lead the crowd in positive chants, instead of
angry yelling. Every five minutes I would stand on the milk crate, update the
numbers on the signs, and announce to the crowd the updated amount that the
Phelps’ clan had raised for LGBT equality.
with his latest project, Driving Equality.
He is currently midway through a 107-day, 48 State, 16, 000-mile road
-trip with a mission to examine LGBT inequality and discrimination
throughout the United States.
Mason has largely funded the trip through creative and
enterprising initiatives, such as a Rick-a-Thon and a Phelps
-a-Thon. For the first, donors were asked to pledge a fee for
each minute Rick Warren spoke at the Presidential
Inauguration and of the Phelps-a-Thon Mason stated on his
website, www.Phelps-a-Thon.com:
I had the idea of holding a Phelps-a-Thon, where people
pledge for every minute the Phelps' crew protests. I decided that
this tactic would be the perfect way to counteract Phelps’ hate.
I organized the Phelps-A-Thon and collected pledges. On the day of the protest, I
made a large sign and displayed it across the street from the Phelps clan. About
75 people came to support the Phelps-A-Thon. I brought my bullhorn and milk
crate and started the show.
As the Phelps’ clan started to protest, holding up their virulently anti-gay signs, the
pro-LGBT crowd began to yell nasty things back at them. At this point, I stood up
on my milk crate, bullhorn in hand, and announced to the crowd that the Phelps’
clan was raising money for LGBT equality. People cheered. I told the crowd, and
the Phelps crew, about the hundreds of people from all over the country that had
donated to the Phelps-A-Thon. I lead the crowd in positive chants, instead of
angry yelling. Every five minutes I would stand on the milk crate, update the
numbers on the signs, and announce to the crowd the updated amount that the
Phelps’ clan had raised for LGBT equality.
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What have been some of the successes? Can you share some stories of those that
you have met on your travels?
There are so many stories I am having a hard time picking just a few. Let's see...
In West Virginia we spoke to an openly gay doctor. He and his partner, and their
adopted son, live in a rural town in the middle of West Virginia. This is the last
place I‘d expected to find someone willing to talk about being gay. But Coy
Flowers freed up his schedule and invited us into his office. He was incredibly busy,
but he wanted to be part of the project. He wanted people to know that even in
West Virginia, there are gay people living their lives, going to work, raising
children, and being part of the community.
In New Orleans we met with a transgendered women, who works at the local LGBT
Center. She told us about the hardships transgendered people faced when they
were evacuated during hurricane Katrina. Evacuees are separated by sex. This
caused trouble and made the terrible situation even worse for trans folks. Some
men were put in women's shelters, made to shower with the opposite sex and visa
versa. It was a mess.
In Lubbock, Texas we spoke with a group of people who were from the local
PFLAG, the high school, and MCC. They were working to make west Texas a friendly
place for LGBT people. The high school student sued his school in federal court
after the administration decided to not allow a gay/straight alliance club at the
school. He fought hard, but lost in court. The school still does not have a GSA.
There are so many more stories from all over the country!
Who are your notable supporters?
My notable supporters.....hmmmm.....well, the Mayor of Cambridge, MA (the first
openly-lesbian African-American Mayor in the country) is a notable supporter.
Before I left on this journey she presented me with the key to the city at a
you have met on your travels?
There are so many stories I am having a hard time picking just a few. Let's see...
In West Virginia we spoke to an openly gay doctor. He and his partner, and their
adopted son, live in a rural town in the middle of West Virginia. This is the last
place I‘d expected to find someone willing to talk about being gay. But Coy
Flowers freed up his schedule and invited us into his office. He was incredibly busy,
but he wanted to be part of the project. He wanted people to know that even in
West Virginia, there are gay people living their lives, going to work, raising
children, and being part of the community.
In New Orleans we met with a transgendered women, who works at the local LGBT
Center. She told us about the hardships transgendered people faced when they
were evacuated during hurricane Katrina. Evacuees are separated by sex. This
caused trouble and made the terrible situation even worse for trans folks. Some
men were put in women's shelters, made to shower with the opposite sex and visa
versa. It was a mess.
In Lubbock, Texas we spoke with a group of people who were from the local
PFLAG, the high school, and MCC. They were working to make west Texas a friendly
place for LGBT people. The high school student sued his school in federal court
after the administration decided to not allow a gay/straight alliance club at the
school. He fought hard, but lost in court. The school still does not have a GSA.
There are so many more stories from all over the country!
Who are your notable supporters?
My notable supporters.....hmmmm.....well, the Mayor of Cambridge, MA (the first
openly-lesbian African-American Mayor in the country) is a notable supporter.
Before I left on this journey she presented me with the key to the city at a
| . |
ceremony at City Hall. I send her postcards from every city we do interviews in.
I would say that Dan Nicoletta is also a notable supporter. It was incredible to
interview him. He's an amazing person. Marc Solomon, the Marriage Director for
Equality California, is also a strong supporter. I worked with him in Massachusetts
at MassEquality. In the Massachusetts State House, openly-gay Representative
Carl Sciortino is a big supporter, as well as Representative Jen Benson, who is a
Regional Sponsor of Driving Equality. The filmmakers who made "Saving Marriage",
Mike Roth and John Henning, are also supporters.
How can people support the DRIVING EQUALITY?
People can support Driving Equality by visiting the website,
http://drivingequality.com, and sharing the link with their friends. There are a
bunch of video clips of our interviews on the website. It folks like the work we are
doing, they can donate online.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that
matter - Martin Luther King Jr.
Still only in his twenties, Chris Mason serves as an example to us all that this is not
yet a time for complacency or resignation when it comes to issues of social
inequality.
If humanity is to progress, we must recognize that the denial of rights to any one
social group is unjust and has an impact, not just upon that group but, on society
as a whole.
Progress WILL happen but we should not rely solely on the actions of Chris Mason
and others like him. It is our individual moral obligation to raise our voices in
I would say that Dan Nicoletta is also a notable supporter. It was incredible to
interview him. He's an amazing person. Marc Solomon, the Marriage Director for
Equality California, is also a strong supporter. I worked with him in Massachusetts
at MassEquality. In the Massachusetts State House, openly-gay Representative
Carl Sciortino is a big supporter, as well as Representative Jen Benson, who is a
Regional Sponsor of Driving Equality. The filmmakers who made "Saving Marriage",
Mike Roth and John Henning, are also supporters.
How can people support the DRIVING EQUALITY?
People can support Driving Equality by visiting the website,
http://drivingequality.com, and sharing the link with their friends. There are a
bunch of video clips of our interviews on the website. It folks like the work we are
doing, they can donate online.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that
matter - Martin Luther King Jr.
Still only in his twenties, Chris Mason serves as an example to us all that this is not
yet a time for complacency or resignation when it comes to issues of social
inequality.
If humanity is to progress, we must recognize that the denial of rights to any one
social group is unjust and has an impact, not just upon that group but, on society
as a whole.
Progress WILL happen but we should not rely solely on the actions of Chris Mason
and others like him. It is our individual moral obligation to raise our voices in
| . |
peaceful, considered, creative and educated protest; to share our stories, to
illuminate the discourse, to raise greater awareness of the true diversity within
the LGBT Community and to ultimately challenge preconceptions and change
perceptions.
Be sure to check out www.DrivingEquality.com for more information. Chris is
looking for people to talk with all over the country. If you are interested in
learning more, or becoming part of the project, send him an email at
Chris@DrivingEquality.com
New opinions often appear first as jokes and fancies, then as
blasphemies and treason, then as questions open to discussion,
and finally as established truths - George Bernard Shaw
To keep updated on Driving Equality visit:
http://drivingequality.com/
http://twitter.com/drivingequality
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=23285917081
http://www.youtube.com/DrivingEquality
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25930145@N07/
Other related links:
MassEquality: www.massequality.org/
TakeMassAction: www.takemassaction.blogspot.com
Friends of GLBT Youth: www.friendsofglbtyouth.org/
Join The Impact MA: www.jointheimpactma.com
Phelps-a-Thon: http://www.phelps-a-thon.com/Home.html
CLICK HERE for more Daivd Watters
Copyright 2009| Ambiente. Do not reproduce without prior authorization.
illuminate the discourse, to raise greater awareness of the true diversity within
the LGBT Community and to ultimately challenge preconceptions and change
perceptions.
Be sure to check out www.DrivingEquality.com for more information. Chris is
looking for people to talk with all over the country. If you are interested in
learning more, or becoming part of the project, send him an email at
Chris@DrivingEquality.com
New opinions often appear first as jokes and fancies, then as
blasphemies and treason, then as questions open to discussion,
and finally as established truths - George Bernard Shaw
To keep updated on Driving Equality visit:
http://drivingequality.com/
http://twitter.com/drivingequality
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=23285917081
http://www.youtube.com/DrivingEquality
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25930145@N07/
Other related links:
MassEquality: www.massequality.org/
TakeMassAction: www.takemassaction.blogspot.com
Friends of GLBT Youth: www.friendsofglbtyouth.org/
Join The Impact MA: www.jointheimpactma.com
Phelps-a-Thon: http://www.phelps-a-thon.com/Home.html
CLICK HERE for more Daivd Watters
Copyright 2009| Ambiente. Do not reproduce without prior authorization.