Come Out with No Hate

Today is 'National Coming Out Day' (NCOD) A big day for the gay community to be proud of their accomplishment of being who they are, out, open and honest. In the ugly face of society this can be a brutal task. It takes real strength and courage of character for any 'minority' to stand up against the herd, be different and real.

This day is MORE than just coming out and declaring your sexual preference to your family, friends, and society. It is a day to celebrate EQUALITY for all and the HUMAN RIGHTS we all deserve regardless of sexual preference, gender, age, race, or religious affiliation.

The label of today is LOVE.

I love the NOH8 (No Hate) pictorial campaign for equality so much that I wanted to share these 2 PSA Videos - Especially while we have an election looming in America. From where I sit President Obama is all about rights; for minorities of all kinds and his opponent is the polar opposite. There are MANY issues to consider while casting your votes but NONE are as basic or important as equal rights, it is truly the foundation on which everything else rests.

The First Lady Looks FORWARD

I was blown away by Michelle Obama's speech last night. For the first time I was a VERY proud American resident. With such effortless class and ease the First Lady delivered an amazing speech in support of her husbands re-election. The speech had such a genuine air about it. I read somewhere that she took the last month writing the speech herself (no 3rd party speech writers required). I loved the reinforcement that our choice is really not a political choice but a human choice. Never once slamming, degrading or talking negatively about the Republicans; total CLASS. She highlighted the President's desire for equality for all regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, income or education level. The choice in November is CLEAR to me; to move FORWARD. It makes me SAD that many people are so hung up on "What has not happened" rather than what the President has accomplished. People need to take a REALISTIC look at the political situation Mr. Obama walked into after 8 years of the Bush administration as well as the fact that REAL CHANGE takes TIME! By adjusting expectations and standing together we can all realize opportunities that are truly afforded to all in America if we are willing to work for it and offer our.

Tracy Reese Dress and J. Crew Pumps

I agree with Russell Simmons statement: Never stop giving back! First Lady Michelle Obama shared so many powerful messages last night, but the 1 that really stayed with me was when she said of President Obama, “He believes that when you’ve…walked through that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you. No, you reach back, and you give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed.” To me, that’s the basic choice we face this Fall. Are we going to be a country where the priority is “get yourself paid and everyone else can fend for themselves?” Or a country where it’s ok to, “Get paid, but always give back too.” To me, it’s an easy choice. Listen, I’m as rich as a lot of these big Republicans, but I WANT to pay more taxes if that means better schools, health care, transportation and welfare, for everyone else. Because I know that the second you stop looking to help and give back in life, whatever success you’ve experienced will become worthless. I really hope The First Lady’s message came through loud and clear to ALL Americans last night, because if we don’t collectively embrace the concept of giving back, then we’ll be lost as a country.

Are you registered to VOTE?

(Image: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Esquire.com)

Did you miss the speech?? WATCH: