Let Us Pause To Give Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlings, as you know, since it happened, The Raving Queen has been on the beat in the face of Tyler Clementi's tragic demise, and continues to lobby both for justice both for him and his grief stricken family. And we still have a ways to go, what with Governor Christie waffling on the bill, and the FIRE (Foundation For Individual Rights In Education) raising a ruckus over it, in the name of protecting heterosexuals, because God forbid anyone else should be protected!!!!!!!

But I just want to depart for a moment here to say something specific this Thanksgiving. Lord know, I have my issues with Frank Capra's film "It's A Wonderful Life", well made though it be. However Henry Travers' line about one man's life touching many is startlingly apt in the face of this year and Tyler Clementi.

Though his life was altogether too short on this Earth, I want to take time to say thanks to Tyler Clementi.

Thanks that he touched and graced his family's and friends' lives with his presence, for as long as he did. Thanks that he shared willingly his talents for music and unicycling with those lucky to share with him. Thanks for that yearning spirit smiling out in all those photos that stand now as a symbol of the yearning deserved of all young people. Thanks that he made this rabid heathen into a social activist; I, who never thought would become one. Thanks that he made a community care in a way unique for the vast percentage who never met him personally, but fervently wish they had. Thanks that the message of Tyler is still being carried out by myself and others; that, in spite of opposition, attention is still being paid. Thanks that this young man, with such talent, actually made it to Lincoln Center while still a high school freshmen, when many much older musicians do not come that close. Thanks that when we recognize someone in need, we can think of Tyler, and remember that we can do something for that person before us.

All this from someone who touched so many.

Thank you, Tyler!!!!!!!!! Thank you for the place you have won in our hearts, and the courage you give us to carry that fight forward!!!!!!!!!

And thank you, for reading this, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!