Each year our nation’s Pride celebrations carry with them a catchy, politically motivated theme – a battle cry, if you will – crafted to motivate us into action to fight for a better quality of life for ourselves and our LGBT sisters and brothers. It’s this political side of Pride that hopefully speaks to the activist burning inside each of us, empowering us to step forward and be counted.

This year’s theme, “Equal Rights! No More, No Less!,” comes at a watershed moment in the fight for LGBT civil rights, particularly in the area of same-sex marriage. The battle being played out here in the United States and around the world, as evidenced by the recent triumphs in Spain and Canada and last year’s historic victory in Massachusetts, underscores the premise that there’s no better time than now for the LGBT community to continue pressing for full and equal rights.

While it’s true that more than a few states here in the U.S. are attempting to outlaw same-sex marriage by amending their state constitutions, the reality is that society’s attitudes toward the LGBT community and our issues are changing in relatively rapid fashion. Recent surveys show that younger Americans in their teens and 20s overwhelming favor equal treatment for LGBT people in housing, employment, and, yes, even marriage. As Bob Dylan wrote and sang, “For the times they are a changin’.”

It now seems entirely believable that in a generation or two, the battle for full and equal rights will be over and we will have accomplished all or much of what we’ve so valiantly struggled to achieve.

But as we all know, this didn’t happen overnight. Incrementally, for the better part of the last half century, LGBT activists have chipped away at the bigotry that has permeated American society since its inception. People from all walks of life, young and old, rich and poor, gay and non-gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, people of all cultures, races and creeds – have each played a vital role in getting us to where we are today. Some have been leaders of community organizations, others elected officials and others still private citizens. All have played a part.

The Mattachine Society. The Daughters of Bilitis. Harvey Milk. Jean O’Leary. Bayard Rustin. The drag queens who rioted at Stonewall. Harry Hay. Robin Tyler. Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin. ACT UP! Queer Nation. HRC. NGLTF. GLAAD. MCC. The Victory Fund. The Federation of Gay Games. Urvashi Vaid. Martina. Ellen. Tammy Baldwin. Barney Frank. Christine Kehoe. Jeri Dilno. Nicole Murray-Ramirez. The list is a long one. Every individual, every group that has stood up for who they are and challenged the powers that be has contributed to the patchwork that makes up our own LGBT American quilt. We must celebrate our heritage and continue this fight.

So what does this mean for each of us as individual members of a larger society? Where do we fit in? How can we help foster and effectuate change?

Activism comes in many forms and can be as simple as attending your first Pride event or as involved as taking a leave of absence from your job to work on a campaign promoting a particular candidate or cause. Maybe you’d consider volunteering at The Center, or possibly delivering meals to people living with HIV/AIDS with the good folks at Mama’s Kitchen or Special Delivery. If you don’t have the time to devote to a cause, financial donations are always welcome and needed. The important thing is that you get yourself into the mix and stay engaged. Find a cause or a person you believe in and get involved.

If you’ve never been the type to get politically involved, a good, non-threatening way to get an activist’s feel for the hot topics facing our community today would be to attend the Pride rally that kicks off San Diego LGBT Pride on the Friday night of Pride weekend. This year the rally will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the festival grounds in the Marston Point area of Balboa Park, at Juniper Street and Balboa Park Drive.

One of the more uplifting features of the rally is the introduction of the annual Pride honorees. Reviewing the names on this year’s list offers an inspiring glimpse into San Diego’s amazing LGBT community and the outstanding friends who continue to support us. I encourage you to join with your community to applaud their contributions at the rally, and then cheer them on the following day as they lead off the always popular Pride parade.

So this year, when you see or hear the Pride rallying cry of “Equal Rights! No More, No Less!,” take a moment to reflect on how you can help get us closer to that goal. If you’re already involved, thank you! If you’re thinking of getting involved, welcome! We need you now more than ever.

Happy Pride, San Diego! I’m honored to be a part of this community and proud to be a member of such a warm and wonderful extended family.