On November 4, 2009 Portland's Human Rights Campaign, in conjunction with Portland Monthly, gathered to watch the election results at Aura. I admit that I entered Aura that night with cautious optimism. Everywhere I went, people said, "We are going to win!" However, I remember the 2000 election going to bed and thinking we won only to wake up and find out we didn't. At, Aura this November 4th, things were very festive. Our MC, Poison Waters, kept things lively during the station breaks; even with all that energy, every time a prediction was made the room went silent in anticipation. I know everyone had a great time and guess what? We Won!

Not only do we now have the first African-American President, we also expanded the number of fair-minded, equality-supporting members of Congress. In Oregon, for the first time in 40 years, a an incumbent Senator was beaten. Plus 1 for equality! In the nearby town of Silverton, residents have elected the first ever openly transgender mayor in the United States.

The struggle is not over yet. We have a lot of work still to do to pass legislation, to educate our friends and neighbors on our issues, and to work more closely with our allies, and it won't all get done in one year. I believe that we are on the right track and with perserverance we will achieve full equality for all our citizens.

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HRC members and volunteers are out in force to reach out to voters across the country, and Portland is no exception. The election is only a few days away and we must each do our part. Talk to your neighbors, co-workers, family and friends and make sure they excercise their right to vote. This is our Year To Win and we each must do our part to achieve success!