I’m going to the White House!

August 29, 2012

By Scottie Thomaston

I have a quick bit of good news that I wanted to share with you all. The Vice President is hosting a group of LGBT activists and writers for a “celebrat[ion of] the next generation of LGBT Leaders” and Courage Campaign nominated me to be one of those recognized at the event. Officials at the White House agreed, and I will be headed there next month! I’ll be attending a BBQ at the Vice President’s residence with Vice President Biden himself and Dr. Biden, and then there will be a LGBT Policy Roundtable I’ll be able to take part in as well. I’ll be able to talk to other LGBT activists and probably some White House officials about my work for Prop 8 Trial Tracker and Courage Campaign. As many of us amateur legal eagles know, the coverage and attention to the goings on in the LGBT judicial realm out there can be quite minimal at times, so I’m excited to bring more attention to our blog here and the work we all do together.

I’ve never been to Washington DC, much less to the White House by invitation so this is all incredibly unreal.

A good friend of mine wanted to break the news herself, so she wrote a post over at Daily Kos about the invitation. She does a better job of explaining the significance of this in my life than I ever could, so I’ll just quote her:

So there he was, fifteen years old, suddenly in a wheelchair, and headed for rehab. At about the same time he inadvertently came out to his family through a letter-writing mishap and was met with horror and rejection and attempts to “pray the gay away”. He was told in no uncertain terms that “it” would not be “allowed” in his parents’ home. Now, imagine yourself in Scottie’s position. Imagine what that must have felt like. Fifteen-year-olds are all about body image and sexuality, right? How does a young man deal with loss of mobility, family rejection, and the complications of dating while in a wheelchair? Can you imagine how lonely and rejected and trapped he must have felt?When I met Scottie a few years ago he was disabled, unemployed, depressed, isolated, and living alone in a small low-income apartment. He had no local friends, little positive contact with his family, and forget about a social life. But he had one tiny tiny thing going for him: Scottie is freaking brilliant. Combine a huge intellect with a gift for writing, a passion for justice, and unending curiosity – not to mention a great sense of humor and an ability to listen- and you’ve got something damn special.

This is a big deal for me, and I’ll be able to learn more from fellow activists and bloggers while I’m in DC, and I will be able to promote the work that Courage Campaign is doing and the writing our team at Prop 8 Trial Tracker works tirelessly every day to get out there, to help explain these complex legal issues working their way through federal and state courts and even the Supreme Court. Many of these cases are coming to a resolution, some perhaps sooner than others, and it’s so important for the media, activists, bloggers, and the government to pay attention to these issues. This is a chance to not only promote our own writing, but an opportunity to carve out a place for LGBT legal issues to earn a real discussion.

I’m really grateful for the opportunity to make sure these issues get the attention they deserve, and even more grateful to be a part of the Prop 8 Trial Tracker team. I’ll be sure to blog from DC on my experience there. Thanks for helping make this blog what it is!

House Republicans oppose grant of... Survey: how are we doing?

2024736 CommentsI%27m+going+to+the+White+House%212012-08-29+21%3A00%3A26Scottie+Thomaston Leave a Comment

1. Richard Lyon | August 29, 2012 at 2:08 pm

Bravo for you and Bravo for Courage Campaign. It is a really impressive team.
2. Kathleen | August 29, 2012 at 2:09 pm

So happy for you, Scottie!
3. Ann_S | August 29, 2012 at 2:12 pm

Way to go, Scottie!
4. Scottie Thomaston | August 29, 2012 at 2:21 pm

Indeed it is! So much fun is had here.
5. Scottie Thomaston | August 29, 2012 at 2:21 pm

Thanks Kathleen! So excited to be doing this!
6. Scottie Thomaston | August 29, 2012 at 2:21 pm

Thanks!!!! Woot!!!!!!
7. Bob | August 29, 2012 at 2:28 pm

loving it!!!!! way to go Scottie!!! and loved your friends intro,,, so happy for you to get this chance,,,,,,,, cheers Bob from Canada
8. Gregory in SLC | August 29, 2012 at 2:32 pm

Was feeling discouraged today…. but this news brought Big SMILE (and happy tears!) LOVE and good Karma to you Scottie!
9. Carpool Cookie | August 29, 2012 at 2:34 pm

Oh my, that's SO exciting! You don't even need anyone to coach you or anything leading up to the big event(s)…you're a wonderful representative already, right here and now : )

Yay ! ! ! !
10. Scottie Thomaston | August 29, 2012 at 2:37 pm

Thank you! I'm thrilled for this opportunity as well!!
11. Scottie Thomaston | August 29, 2012 at 2:37 pm

Thank you! I'm glad it made you smile. It's gonna be an awesome trip. I'll have more on it.
12. Scottie Thomaston | August 29, 2012 at 2:37 pm

Thanks!!!
13. rick jacobs | August 29, 2012 at 2:45 pm

This is one of my favorite posts ever. Sometimes we can forget that LGBT people are people, in all different shapes and sizes and colors, just like, well, people. I was crying yesterday reading the Daily Kos piece and exchanging emails with Scottie, whom we're all fortunate to have in our midst and to know. These White House events are for Scottie and so many others who don't take it all for granted. Hats off to the WH Office of Public Engagement for truly "reaching out."
14. Str8Grandmother | August 29, 2012 at 2:50 pm

Terrific Scottie!! I am VERY impressed and so gol darned HAPPY FOR YOU!!! I saw this on Twitter and had to come over and congratulate you.
15. Scottie Thomaston | August 29, 2012 at 2:56 pm

Thank you! I am very proud to be here!
16. Scottie Thomaston | August 29, 2012 at 3:03 pm

Indeed and thank you again for nominating me. I'm honored to be here!

You might be surprised at the weirdness I've encountered in terms of being both gay and disabled. Some people have actually said, when I came out to them, "…but you're in a wheelchair" as if you can't be both. There is this, like, conception of gay people as if they only can face one adversity at a time.

And of course, where else would someone like me have a voice anyway? It's not like there's a long list of 1) southern gay people willing to be out, 2) southern, gay, disabled people, or 3) gay disabled people getting discussed anywhere. People don't like having to deal with complicated situations, haha.

And that's sad because so many of these issues intersect. We sort of get painted as a one-issue group but on the other hand everyone avoids discussing those of us who actually face multiple issues. Funny how that works out.

And definitely thanks to the WH OPE! When I filled out their survey attached to the invitation, they actually HAD an option for "LGBT Legal Issues" which really impressed me. Very happy to see someone noticing this particular part of LGBT activism.
17. DrRandy | August 29, 2012 at 3:09 pm

Oh, congratulations, Scottie! Well-deserved.

(Not to burst your bubble, but you know that the VP's residence isn't at the White House. It's at the Naval Observatory, at Number One Observatory Circle, about 3 miles northwest of the POTUS's residence: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_One_Observato… ).
18. Scottie Thomaston | August 29, 2012 at 3:11 pm

There's a White House visit in addition, sorry if that was unclear!
19. fiona64 | August 29, 2012 at 3:17 pm

Congratulations, Scottie!
20. Scottie Thomaston | August 29, 2012 at 3:19 pm

Thanks! I appreciate that!
21. arjay1951 | August 29, 2012 at 3:32 pm

Scottie:
I have always viewed your postings with interest and deference. But until this post, I hadn't reaally looked into who you actually are. That is my loss: your Facebook page and this posting let me understand the challenges you continue to meet. I, too, am a child of the South, growing up in Shreveport, LA, and practicing law in New Orleans for over twenty years. I have been living in CA with my husband for twelve years (we are among the small group that were legally married). I have HIV disease for over twenty years, and was diagnosed with a particularly deadly form of cancer this time last year. After treatment, there seems to be no trace of it.

I guess what I am trying to say is that even with these challenges in our lives, we are both in awe of you as a person and your work. The trip to DC is a great honor you richly deserve. Congratulations.
22. Scottie Thomaston | August 29, 2012 at 3:51 pm

Wow… thank you so much for saying that.
23. Stefan | August 29, 2012 at 4:43 pm

Congrats man! I love your site to say the least!
24. Scottie Thomaston | August 29, 2012 at 5:57 pm

Thank you!!
25. Adam Bink | August 29, 2012 at 6:16 pm

We're thrilled for Scottie.

Also, not that I get very candidate-political… but I doubt President McCain would have an event to bring together emerging LGBT leaders, and I doubt President Romney would, either. Just thinking about all this watching the convention in Tampa.
26. Martha Mitchell | August 29, 2012 at 8:20 pm

Couldn't happen to a more deserving person. I follow you nearly every day.
27. Martha M | August 29, 2012 at 8:22 pm

You deserve every moment of this – relish every day!
28. Scottie Thomaston | August 29, 2012 at 8:50 pm

Romney would probably bring me in for a "free hair cut."
29. Mike in Baltimore | August 30, 2012 at 12:52 am

Don't forget that the VP's 'ceremonial' office is in the Old Executive Office Building [OEOB] (oops, now named the 'Eisenhower Executive Office Building' [EEOB]), just a few feet West of the White House [WH] West Wing. And if you've ever wondered what French Second Empire-style looked like in architecture, the EEOB is a prime example of it (on a massive scale).

To some, though, it's an ugly building:
The OEOB was referred to by Mark Twain as "the ugliest building in America." Harry Truman called it "the greatest monstrosity in America." Henry Adams called it Mullet's "architectural infant asylum" [Alfred B. Mullett was the Supervising Architect of the building].

Also, the most commonly used street between the VP's residence and the EEOB/WH is Massachusetts Avenue, also called Embassy Row (because of all the embassies that are located on or just off Mass. Ave.)

Have loads of fun, Scottie!
30. Jay | August 30, 2012 at 6:21 am

Congratulations, Scottie. The invitation is a tribute to your excellent work and commitment. The story told by your friend is incredibly moving. You are an exemplification of Courage! Thank you very much.
31. Sagesse | August 30, 2012 at 6:27 am

Congratulations! This is a great opportunity for you, and a commendable initiative from the VP and the Administration. And, (don't say it often enough) thanks for all the good work you do here.
32. Scottie Thomaston | August 30, 2012 at 9:50 am

Thank you! I appreciate that!
33. Scottie Thomaston | August 30, 2012 at 9:50 am

Thank you!

And yes, Kelley is awesome and an excellent writer as well.
34. Scottie Thomaston | August 30, 2012 at 9:51 am

Thank you!!!
35. Scottie Thomaston | August 30, 2012 at 9:51 am

Wow thanks!
36. MrsBiscuitbarrel | August 30, 2012 at 10:20 am

Scottie, I am delighted for you!

It makes me hap-hap-happy to know you'll be dining at my "neighbor's" house, just down the road.

And I'm also glad that Courage hired you, as your writing is really fine. [[[Hugs]]]

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