[* cheers* ]
Hello everyone!
I just want to take this moment to...
My name is Jerssay Arredondo,
I am undocumented, queer, unashamed, and unafraid.
I am sharing these identities with you right now
because yesterday morning I was forced back into the closet.
The Queer Undocumented Immigrant Project,
a project of United We Dream,
was invited by the Human Rights Campaign
to speak at the rally to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA.
Prior to getting on stage my speech was revised.
I was told not to share the reality of what it means to be an undocuqueer immigrant in this country.
Our real life struggles and daily challenges as LGBTQ people are not acknowledged,
but rather continue to be pushed into the closet and excluded from the dominant narrative.
It is not enough for LGBTQ communities to say that they are in solidarity with our struggle.
Solidarity is love reflected through actions and support.
Our intent yesterday was to share our stories, our struggles and our experiences,
to shed light on the complexity of the issue,
and we weren't even afforded that opportunity.
As an immigrant youth movement, we hold each other accountable,
and we will hold LGBTQ and immigrant rights organizations accountable
to ensure that we are working towards social justice for all.
In order to ensure continued solidarity,
we are asking for a public apology from the Human Rights Campaign's leadership.