HONORING FRANK

Giving thanks to our community and for the legacy of the late Dr. Frank Kameny

On behalf of Helping Our Brothers and Sisters, I would like to express our thanks to all who helped pay tribute to the life's work of Dr. Franklin Edward Kameny. For many of us, this is the perfect time not simply to say our thanksgiving, but also to redouble our efforts to help achieve equality and to end discrimination.

Special thanks also must go to our Mayor Vincent Gray and the leadership of our DC Councilmembers, especially David Catania and Jim Graham who paid personal tribute to Dr. Kameny at the Carnegie Library.

We also express thanks to the Members of Congress and public officials who eulogized him beautifully on Capitol Hill including the Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton, Honorable Barney Frank, Honorable Tammy Baldwin, and Honorable John Berry, Director of OPM. We are grateful to Yale law professor Bill Eskridge for his moving tribute to Dr. Kameny.

Thus far, with the generosity of many friends, we have covered expenses for Dr. Kameny's viewing at Carnegie Library and his essential funeral costs, too. To be clear, we are especially grateful to our Mayor's staff for taking care of most of these expenses associated with the public events and the generous use of the prestigious Carnegie Library atrium.

In addition, we have now paid the deposit on a fitting, public gravesite for Dr. Kameny at the historic Congressional Cemetery.  Charles Francis and Rick Rosendall volunteered to help identify and secure the ideal site near the resting place of Leonard Matlovich as well as Barbara Gittings (who will one day be interred at Congressional with her partner, Kay Tobin Lahusen), but not too close to J. Edgar Hoover and Clyde Tolson.

To honor Frank Kameny's distinguished military service in Europe during World War II, a U.S. Army grave marker has been ordered and will be supplied at our government's expense. However, to further distinguish Frank's legacy as civil rights hero, we will have a second grave footer emblazoned with his famous remark: "Gay is Good."  We anticipate a graveside service in early spring when the markers and the gravesite are made ready.

For all who wish to help raise the remaining $4,000 anticipated, we will be very grateful too. You may make your tax deductible contribution online using the donate button below, or simply mail a check to HOBS, Post Office Box 53477, Washington, DC 20009.  You also may email us at HOBSDC@gmail.com to make arrangements.

Any and all contributions raised beyond these expenses will go toward helping others who are at risk within the LGBT community. We believe this mission is in step with the kind of work that Frank Kameny spent most of his 86 years on earth doing for all of us.

Wishing everyone a memorable Thanksgiving Holiday, and to never forget that "Gay is Good."

Sincerely,

Marvin Carter

President, Helping Our Brothers and Sisters

Helping our Brothers and Sisters
Office Address
1318 U Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009

Mailing Address
Post Office Box 53477
Washington, DC 20009
Tel. 202-986-6317