LGBTQ people have made historic progress in record time thanks to the brave members of our community who not only came out, but engaged in honest, challenging conversations with those who were hostile toward our very existence. As Brian Harrison's book makes clear, it is those authentic, hard conversations that have changed people's minds and opened their hearts. The only way we will defend our progress and win true equity for all people is to take Brian's advice and keep the lines of communication open.
Melissa R. Michelson is Professor of Political Science at Menlo College. Brian F. Harrison is a Lecturer at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and Founder and President of Voters for Equality. They are authors of Listen, We Need to Talk: How to Change Attitudes about LGBT Rights.