Chrissy Gephardt, the daughter of former presidential candidate Dick Gephardt, will visit campus today to promote change for the LBGT community.
The director of the National Stonewall Democrats grassroots campaign core, Chrissy Gephardt said her primary goal is to create visibility of lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender issues for college students.
"They're just not brought up knowing discrimination, and bigotry and hatred the way older generations have," she said.
Gephardt will address the MSU chapter of Stonewall Democrats at 8:30 p.m. today in the Northwestern Room of the Union as part of tour around the country to speak to chapters and start new ones.
At the meeting, she will advocate for people to vote no on Proposal 2, which would amend Michigan's Constitution to define marriage and other similar unions as between a man and woman. She'll also encourage a vote for Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry in the Nov. 2 election.
Although it's important to vote Democrat, Gephardt said, it's disappointing there is no presidential candidate fighting for marriage equality.
"I do wish someone would come out for full equality because that's what this issue is about," she said. "It's not about religion, it's about civil equality."
Gephardt said she thinks the Democratic party tries to avoid fully supporting LBGT efforts because it is afraid of losing supporters.
"They know it's such a hot-button issue," she said. "The minute you say the word marriage, it evokes references to religion and traditions that have existed in the U.S. for hundreds of years."
But Gephardt said although it is upsetting, it's important for the LBGT community to work with what they have. She said apathetic students who choose not to vote because they are unhappy with both candidates disturb her.
"When I go around and talk, I say, 'You know, I know you guys aren't thrilled with John Kerry because he's not in full support of gay marriage. But what would you rather have - George Bush?" she said. "At least John Kerry is going to get us one step closer to equality - that change isn't going to happen overnight."
Gephardt spoke at the inaugural launching of Rosie O'Donnell and Kelli Carpenter's cruise line, "R Family Vacations," a cruise which provides a way for gay families to feel connected to other families.
Gephardt said the cruise proves members of the LBGT community can have healthy families.
"You can't tell me that those families are flawed families," she said. "These were families who love each other - kids who were happy, kids who were adopted who might otherwise be stuck in the foster care system - and they have two loving adults caring for them.
"You can't tell me that's a destruction of family."
Gephardt said the visibility of current LBGT issues is good because it will provide support for the younger generation who want to come out. She said her own experience was very positive.
"It's like it gave me my life back," she said. "I felt like I didn't know myself anymore and, when I came out, I was free."
