Diversity Rules Magazine

4 Diversity Rules Magazine December 2017 Given the dire political en- vironment in which we live at the moment, the reality can never be any clearer that the health and well- being of our world and its people are in our hands. Not only in the hands of our political leaders but more importantly, in our own hands. e fate and destiny of our world as we know it is directly related to how much each person individually takes an interest and be- comes active in safeguarding Mother Earth for generations of humans to come after us. We must not fail them. We cannot fail them. e current administration in Washington, D.C. is not one that is concerned about its own citizens, let alone those of the entire world. e degree of fear and frustration around the globe has risen to heights we have never seen in our lifetimes because of this men- ace who governs us. is administration is inflicting untold harm not only on the safety and security of the world's inhabitants but is directly jeopardizing the fu- ture viability of our planet Earth upon which we live. It is with this backdrop of a very volatile and precarious environment in which we live, that I have been think- ing a great deal about Diversity Rules Magazine and its place in my life and in the larger scheme of life. As I have gotten older, I am discovering I am being driven toward a life's purpose that was probably unfathom- able years ago. I always saw myself being immersed in a life of queer advocacy, with any professional pursuit being germane to that theme. Over the last few years, however, I have slowly come to the realization that that is not the case any longer, with this realization becom- ing much more pronounced over the last month or so. Diversity Rules Magazine sprung to life back in 2006 because there was no real queer publication in the re- gion of New York State where I lived, and where I still live. So I decided to start a local publication to let folks know that they were not alone and that there was an organization of people that could help queer folks deal with the challenges surrounding their sexual and/ or gender identities. Over the ensuing months, the magazine was be- ing distributed to venues all over New York State. It had become the most widely distrib- uted publication serving the queer popula- tion. I cannot express the humbling pride I had knowing that something I had produced was being read all over the state and beyond, helping people suffering silently, cope with themselves. My goal always had been and still is, to be a venue to help others become who they should be and were meant to be. Diversity Rules Magazine's mission has always been much like the visions of the great men and women before us who effected change in our lives for the better. Diversity Rules attempts to facilitate changes in the way people perceive the gay commu- nity. It gives voice to LGBTQ folks, their friends, and supporters. rough the years since its inception, Diversity Rules Magazine, through the voice of yours truly, has fought alongside millions of our queer compatriots in the battle for equality as well as enlightened folks about what being gay means. Marriage equality was a long, and hard fought battle but compassion and acceptance won out with the Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage throughout the entire nation. at victory, however, left us with a slew of other challenges that need to be overcome such as transgender equal- ity and is one of the last battlegrounds where full and unfettered equality has yet to be achieved. ese major issues aside, there have always been philo- sophical arguments being hashed out in universities across the country, and within our network of LG- BTQ advocacy groups and other venues. One of the more visible discussions is that related to our acronym, and who should be represented in it with a letter. To many, a letter seems to be a way to achieve validation, but really, validation comes from within oneself and not with a letter in an alphabet stew of letters. The World Is In Our Hands Looking Beyond Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity By Jim Koury, Editor/Publisher

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