American Veterans for Equal Rights, the nation’s oldest LGBT Veterans Service Organization, acknowledges the important role that social protest has played in our own community’s fight for equality and justice in the United States. We struggle over the events surrounding the death of George Floyd.

Our Struggle, our struggle with anger. Anger that reaches into the depths of our souls, no matter our color or culture. Our struggle with frustration at the system, the injustice, the prejudice, and the inability to exactly say how we feel.

We are not okay, our country is in pain. The pendulum has very nearly reached its apex, the point of change is upon us and we must face it going forward, not looking back and taking full advantage of momentum to propel us forward.

We are upset and angry that police can brutally kill a man while he is in custody. We are upset that we still see color as a reason to fear each other. We are upset that some of our leaders refuse to acknowledge that racism exists. We are upset that some would take advantage of lawful protesting to loot and incite violence. We are upset that lawmakers wring their hands and speak platitudes but do nothing. We are upset that we are forced to stand against each other in the process of standing up to racism. We are upset that the color of our skin is still a reason to still the heart within.

White privilege has tarnished the words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” for far too long. It’s past time to stop the hate, today I will not fear my neighbor.

Julz Carey

President

James Apedaile

Vice President

Denny Meyer

Public Affairs Officer

Danny Ingram

President Emeritus II