Eric Rosswood - We Make It Better: The LGBTQ Community and Their Positive Contributions to Society

Praise for We Make It Better

For all LGBTQ teens and young adults, this book will help inspire and empower you to become your best selves. This book shares how the LGBTQ community has made invaluable contributions. It throws open the doors of queer possibility making it clear we can use our imagination to make distinctive marks on our world however w e choose.

Dustin L ance Black
Academy Award-winning Screenwrit er, Milk

The need for positive role models in the LGBTQ Community has never been greater. In a divisive political climate, books like this one encourage and inspire LGBTQ youth to focus on their part in advancing society. Whether in science, technology, education, sports, government or the arts, the LGBTQ community has made an indelible mark on the world. Undaunted by prejudice, marginalization, discrimination and violence, the community has persisted and dedicated its efforts to the greater good. In the words of MLK Jr., the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.

Li bby Schaaf
Mayor of Oakland

When President Barack Obama came to our school system to highlight our early childhood programs, I had the privilege of representing Clairemont Elementary School. As a lifetime teacher, I so appreciate a book that shines a light on a previously marginalized community. We are an inclusive school system and this book can give us tools to expand the dialogue about history an d change.

Stephani e Trauner
Elementary School teacher for 26+ years, Clairemont Elementary School, a Blue Ribbon school, City Schools of Decatu r, Georgia

Throughout history, the LGBTQ community has been erased, marginalized or vilified. Since the passing of the F.A.I.R. Education Act in California, that wrong is being corrected at long last. The inclusion of the contributions of the LGBTQ community to society is required to be taught in history and social studies classes in the California public schools. This book shines a spotlight on the amazing contributions of our community. School kids will learn that we are more than the stereotypes the media has projected and how our dedicated efforts in a variety of fields have enhanced the com mon good.

Dr. Ar del Thomas
Chair, LGBT Stu dies, CCSF

Give this book to the young people in your life! It will offer inspiration regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. For LGBTQIA young people in particular for whom coming out can be a tremendously isolating experience filled with uncertainty this book provides a glimpse into the lives of well-known LGBTQIA people who live full, productive and happy lives, providing hope and strength for their journey as they grow into their blessed, God-created selves.

Bishop Kare n Oliveto,
Ph.D., First Openly Lesbian United Methodist Chur ch Bishop,
Author, Together at the Table : Diversity Without Division in the United Method ist Church

At IBM, we value diversity and have lived our values, leading the technology industry with our forward-thinking practices and policies. Not only great for the LGBTQ Community, but great for our business. This book demonstrates that being LGBTQ does not have to inhibit, but can, in fact, enhance your career. When you can be your authentic self, you are your be st self.

Claudia Brind-W oody, Esq.
Co-Chair Executive Diversity Leadershi p Council
IBM VP of Global Intellectual Property Licensing

Growing up in my Maori indigenous culture of New Zealand and with a father who was a leader of our local marae, sacred communal gathering place for 30+ years, I lived the value of community. We believe that we are never alone, our ancestors are always with us and so we share a collective an interconnected identity that helps us to stand strong in solidarity with our ancestors. This book may help you to remember that we are all connected to a global Rainbow family. Find our people - within family, friends, teachers, coaches, counselors, pastors who will support you and help you on your sexual orientation and gender identity journey. We are the potential of our ancestors, free and equal and we are nev er alone.

Louisa Wall, Member of Parliament, N ew Zealand
Author of the Successful Marriage Ame ndment Act
Co-Chair of Cross-Party Rainbow Group, New Zealand Parliament
Co-Chair Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, New Zealand P arliament

Right now, more than ever, we need these stories of sheroes and heroes and gender-expansive warriors to inspire us on our paths toward justice. Kathleen and Eric have eloquently lifted up these stories for all of our benefit, showing us queer and trans people as powerful agents of change, love and li beration.

S ean Dorsey
Trans Choreographer an d Activist
Founder and Artistic Director, Fresh Meat Productions (200 1-Present)

Weve had the audacity to fight for social justice for all LGBTQ citizens. This book is dedicated to all LGBTQ young adults and teenagers with big dreams and the perseverance to make those dreams come true. This book is sure to empower the next generation of LGBTQ youth to find their passions and transform t he world.

Kate Kendell, former Executive Director, National Center for Lesb ian Rights

We Make
It Better

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Climbing the Corporate Ladder in High Heels

We Make
It Better

The LGBTQ Community and Their Positive Contributions to Society

Eric Rosswood
and
Kathleen Archambeau

Mango Publishing
Co ral Gables

Copyright 2019 Eric Rosswood and Kathleen Archambeau.

Published by Mango Publishing Group, a division of Mango Media Inc.

Cover Design: Morgane Leoni

Layout & Design: Roberto Nez

Mango is an active supporter of authors rights to free speech and artistic expression in their books. The purpose of copyright is to encourage authors to produce exceptional works that enrich our culture and our open society.

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We Make It Better: The LGBTQ Community and Their Positive Contributions to Society

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication has been applied for.

ISBN: (print) 978-1-63353-820-7, (ebook) 978-1-63353-821-4

BISAC category code ########

Printed in the United States of America

Dedicated to all LGBTQ youth with big dreams. May this book help you reach your potential and find your place in the world. You are valid, you are loved, and you are part of something bigger. Together #WeMak eItBetter.

Ta ble of Contents

Introduction

How LGBTQ People Make the World a Better Place

You probably learned about Martin Luther King Jr. in school. History books teach us that he was one of the most visible leaders in the civil rights movement, but did you know that Bayard Rustin, one of Kings most trusted mentors and advisors, was an openly gay man? Rustin was instrumental in organizing the March on Washington, where King gave his famous I Have a Dream speech. Rustin also played an important role in the civil rights movement, but much of what he did was behind t he scenes.