Challenge from a member of THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS

CHALLENGE FROM A MEMBER OF
THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS

ISSUED TO: The Facebook Group: LET’S REACH 1 MILLION PEOPLE
CAMPAIGN…It’s a start! LGBT EQUALITY

UPDATE:  Challenge deadline has been extended to election
                           day 2012...

NEWS ALERT:   The subsequent passing of this Congressman is truly a sad day for all mankind.  A truly great advocate for basic human and civil rights has left the stage and will be missed by all.  Out of respect for family and friends of Congressman Payne, certain original wording of this group's summary of his challenge released by the group on July 18, 2011, along with a subsequent statement, has been been changed to protect the privacy of all, while not changing in anyway whatsoever the gist of the original challenge Congressman Payne issued to the Let's Reach 1 Million People Campaign in 2011 for LGBT Equality...

This group is in the process of drafting correspondence to his son, Donald Payne, Jr., Newark Council President and Essex County Freeholder, who recently beat out five other candidates in the primary to get his name on November's ballot, to find out his intent on carrying out and continuing the support shown for the LGBT by his father and whether or not he was even aware of the challenge his father gave to our grassroots organization, as well as his knowing what plans his father alluded to in the challenge for potentially stepping up his support for LGBT Equality.  Donald Payne, Jr. was also the winner of a special election to fill the unexpired term of his father, who died suddenly this past March of colon cancer.

The following is an excerpt from a June 6, 2012 article written by Monica Miller in NEWSWORKS New Jersey:

"Well, I wouldn't even kid you to think that I could fill those shoes.  But, I'm standing on his shoulders," said Payne, Jr.  "I understand what he wanted for this community.  I understand what he wanted for this state.  I understand what he wanted for this world.  So, no one -- no one better than I can continue to do the work that the late Congressman Donald Payne did for everyone."

While it may appear this news alert is coming a little late being a short while since his passing; we thought it best to wait and see how the primary turned out last week as to whether his son looks to be the one to carry on the legacy of Congressman Payne...it does so look for that to be the case!


In Summary:

A somewhat detailed confidential challenge was received involving moral and ethical considerations placing a great deal of responsibility upon both parties to uphold the integrity of each individual’s character. Normally, getting involved with this type of challenge would not be advisable for our group due to moral pressure possibly involved at the end depending on the outcome of the challenge (what if challenge is met, but subsequent support not there; does one reveal the identity of the politician while accepting the responsibility and corresponding moral and ethical consequences additionally involved with possible political consequences due to their desire for potentially stepping up their own support for LGBT Equality). Are waters being tested for a possible controversial political stand on LGBT Equality? This could be the opportunity of a lifetime for gay rights!

The correspondence received was shrouded in mystery and secrecy with the message received loud and clear their identity not be disclosed until that time the disclosure is made by the politician through a press release; credibility and integrity are on the line with this.

The member of Congress just finished reading a book given to them by one of their constituents. The following statement was made by the politician regarding their view of the rights available to individuals of the LGBT community, as well as the effect the book had upon them.

“I have always respected the rights of an individual to live their life as they see fit within the constraints of the bodies of law within their territorial jurisdiction. With that being said, certain individuals with situations resulting from behavioral and sexual choices due to individual identity are not always allowed their basic civil rights. I have always taken the majority position of those who elected me to office when legislation or decisions of this nature come up. Recently, I have assessed various ways of encouraging those who elect us to educate themselves in this particular area of civil rights in order that they understand the ramifications that could result when voicing their position if ignorance on any issue is present.  A book like this could be that partial eye opener with the education they need in this area. I see things somewhat differently having read it, giving me the courage to realize just how grave the injustice is upon those individuals with varying sexual preference and identity.”

They went on to say, “A clerk in Washington, who incidentally read the book after I finished, shared with me a group you created on facebook. I am sure you are aware that campaigns carried out by collective groups of advocates, on any issue, carry more weight as the number of participants rise. With the aggressive goal of one million, the campaign will carry significant weight, once met, when taken through the proper channels to the target audience.”

Support of politician if challenge is met:

Continue work on broadening their positive stand for equal rights of every citizen regardless of sexual identity and have a press release so stating.

Make a supplemental personal statement on record and for press release.

Continue working hard to garner support from other Washington politicians on equal rights issues.

Show support for the facebook group LET’S REACH 1 MILLION PEOPLE CAMPAIGN…It’s a Start! LGBT EQUALITY

Challenge work to be done by group:

Reach the 1 Million members goal by January 31, 2012, to show commitment to this cause.

Work diligently and obtain the support of at least 36 members from the United States Congress as supporters of the group to show commitment to this cause by January 31, 2012.


A committee of members from the facebook group studied the challenge and voted as to accepting it or not. The LGBT community stands to gain a more open, while still tremendously strong, ally in the fight for LGBT Equality. The group believes this is an honest effort on the part of the politician to step up this effort along with a strong commitment and following shown by this group for the cause.

The members of the group put forth this appeal to all individuals of the LGBT communities throughout the world, as well as every single one of the wonderful Straight Allies throughout the world that have stood by the LGBT communities in their plight for equal rights; please assist this group in our work put forth by this challenge.

Press release date of July 18, 2011 via all media outlets (doc. PRWC7182011)
Link to group referenced
https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_179421342110744&ap=1
Link to book referenced
http://www.outskirtspress.com/livingthedifference
Contact email: joechuckknudson@gmail.com

LINK TO SUMMARY OF AUTHENTICITY OF THE CHALLENGE:
http://thegaylyblogger.blogspot.com/2011/08/congressman-challenge-authenticity.html