The following is a poem by Larry Block, owner of The Block Party clothing store and a WeHo activist, in reaction to Friday’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court legalizing same-sex marriage.
Today is a new day for the LGBT
We can all celebrate Equality
So many shedding tears of joy
Now you can marry a girl or boy
Were we different did we belong?
Some took their lives others stayed strong
Mom’s advice “Marry a nice girl”
She didn’t understand it wasn’t my world
That was some 30 years ago
So I moved to a place called We-Ho
Studio One and the original Rage
They were hopping and then the plague
Old timers at the Greenery
Laughing at the pretty scenery
Everywhere cute beach boys
Kids in a candy store so many toys
People started dying all over the place
I memorized the words to ‘Amazing Grace’
Most of my friends all wiped out
Wish they could hear the Supreme Court shout
Act Up and Queer Nation fought for our rights
They never gave up and followed the light
We mobilized our creative side
Telling the world we will not hide
Philadelphia came to the movie screen
A man dying of AIDS many had never seen.
Brokeback Mountain a gay love story
Harvey Milk, Rock Hudson and Liberace shared their glory
We did it and all for you
Your sacrifice brought out humanity too
Today the sun rises for a brand new day
With who do you think the Bachelorette will play?
You can marry your best friend
Take him to the prom and not pretend
Walk down the aisle hand in hand
Saying I love you man to man
Now I’m waiting for a guy on one knee
To say the words ‘will you marry me’
I’m so proud of our Red, White and Blue
Rainbow dreams have all come true
Look up to the stars and clear blue skies
Makes me happy to know God has Pride
Very nice.. and creative.
Larry expressed and spoke for a great many of us with his special tribute poem.
I feel the love spreading round town and the world.