UT-Austin’s Dr. Dana Cloud – once labelled “one of the most dangerous professors in the United States” by conservative ideologue David Horowitz – took a break from a rally to sit down and chat with me about the upcoming National Equality March.

As the director of Join the Impact-Austin, Cloud is responsible for Austin’s main contingent of representation.

She speaks about the potential “watershed” moment this march could become and issues concerning the struggle for gay rights in Texas and beyond.

There are points she makes I find interesting – making sure gay and lesbian Americans challenge our democratically elected representatives to take up our causes.

I’m reminded of an episode of The West Wing. Amy Gardner (played by the faboo-as-always Mary-Louise Parker) tells my boyfriend (Bradley Whitford as) Josh Lyman that she constantly has to “poke the President” to make sure he is paying attention to her issues, her concerns.

Consider the National Equality March a big ole nudging.

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This article appears in October 9 • 2009.

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