Friday, June 17th 2011

Today I decided to start a Blog, about my new job as a canvasser for HRC. For those of you who do not know, HRC, stands for Human Rights Campaign. We are the nations largest Gay and Lesbian Civil rights group. I love my job. I am fighting for something that I am so passionate about. Equal rights for all. For those of you who do not know what a "Canvasser" is...my job is to stand on a street corner, smile, get peoples attention and say "Hi there! do you have one minute for gay civil rights?" If they stop, I get to say "Great! My name is Grace. I'm with the Human Rights Campaign, we are the nations largest Gay and Lesbian Civil rights group, and we are out here today signing up members, so I'm really glad you stopped!" Then I hand them my binder and say, " Here, check this out!...we are continuing our fight against discrimination. We have made a lot of progress towards equality, but unfortunately, it is still legal in 29 states, to fire somebody, just for being gay!" (I then love watching their eyes widen at such a statement.) Then, I tell them what we are doing..."This year, we are working to pass a bill in congress that would end this type of workplace discrimination, on a federal level. Unfortunately, we are being fought against by the religious right, like Christian Coelition and Focus on the Family. Which is why we need a lot of public support, and that's why we are out here today." (This is the part, that I look at them and I can tell they are thinking "Oh SHIT i KNEW they were gona ask me for my money). It gets better, because I then say "The best way that you can support us today, is by becoming an HRC partner..." This is the other part that I love, because they are REALLY thinking, "SHIT. I REALLY dont wana give this girl money...") "whats that?" they ask. I tell them, "HRC partners make small monthly contributions, with either a credit card or checking account. This is the BEST way to give, because it gives us the sustained Grassroots suport that we need, that will help us get this bill past, and its really easy to sign up, right here!" I then, look at them, nod, and smile and wait for them to say no. This thing that I say, I say to everybody, because they teach us to say it. It is called the "Rap". It does usually work, and you can get people to give to you...if you are well skilled at it.

They put me with one of the best canvassers in the entire country. He sees a grand potential in me to be a good or, great, canvasser. I hope he is right.

Today, I made no money. However, I had one of the best days ever. I ran into an older man."My name is Grace." I said, " Dale. pleasure to meet you, cutie pie!" he replied. He was grey, and covered in tatoos. After I gave him my rap, he told me that he really wanted to get involved. "My wife and I are on social security and we really can't give anything." I told him that I was sorry for that. This is an extreamely urgent campaign, and we need as much support as we can get. However, I knew he wasnt going to be able to give. He could see my frustration with the heat, and the day. He told me to keep my head up! I watched him walk away, with a dollar sign floating over his head... a little while later he returned with a rose. "Don't let the day get ya!" he said. I smiled, and accepted the gift.

I also met a man named Johnny. He told me that he was being fired from his job, not for being gay, but for a learning dissability that he had. he wondered if our office would have been able to help him. I told him that I didnt know. It turns out that he is a wonderful piano player, and he plays "by ear, and by heart".  I loved it. He had polio when he was a child in Italy. He wanted my number, but I dont give my number out to random strangers with polio that I meet in the street.

Roses. Music. Beer after work with friends. Although I did not make any money, I still had a great day. I will BANK tomorrow.

NOW. No more thinking about work.

I hope this blog gets followers.
-Gracie Lou