It is easy to forget that we live in some pretty historic times. Decades from now, young gay men and women will read about the struggle for marriage equality and the legal battles won by Mary Bonauto. In my opinion her accomplishments put her on equal footing to names like Harvey Milk, Larry Kramer and Barney Frank.
Michelle Golden’s letter to The Boston Globe last week was spot on when she wrote, “Bonauto has long been revered in my household, for the successes for human rights that she and Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders have achieved, as well as for her vision and perseverance. Our family literally would not legally exist were it not for her.“ Bonauto’s legal triumphs have come from a combination of keen intellect and understanding of the law as well as a ferocious tenacity.
I remember when some national LGBT groups were critical of the Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders taking up the cause of marriage equality. Some said the fight was doomed from the start and would cause a backlash, setting the LGBT community back decades. Mary and the organization she led knew better and pushed forward, citing legal precedents; many of which her organization won in the 1990s that helped make the case for marriage equality.
Congratulations to Mary Bonauto for being named as one of this year’s MacArthur Fellowship; often referred to as the “Genius Grant”. You deserve the recognition; our community is in your debt.
BosGuy 