News Release

‘New approach to gay activism’

October 15, 2009

Jamiel Terry’s “new approach to gay activism” begins with effecting social change before pushing for political change.

The estranged son of Randall Terry, one of America’s most outspoken opponents of abortion and homosexuality, Jamiel brought his personal story and “new approach” to Penn State Harrisburg in a Gallery Lounge presentation hosted by the college’s Multicultural Academic Excellence Program.

Now working in opposition to his father, he admits he is using his name and family reputation as a tool to advance his cause. “I would be wrong not to use the platform I have to advance the gay rights cause.”

A staunch supporter of his father’s causes until he publicly admitted he was gay and was ostracized by his family, Jamiel now tours the nation “to build an America where the Constitution is truly applicable to all.” He says to advance the cause of gay rights, proponents must “no longer ask for crumbs at the table, but must demand a seat at that table.”

He continues, “What the cause has on its side is the U.S. Constitution and we should not ask for ‘special rights,’ but for the rights guaranteed to us by the law.” Jamiel adds that to win the fight for equality, gays must first support and advance social change before pushing for political change.

“Equality should not be a battleground, but there is consistent resistance from the well-funded religious right” which fuels the gay rights debate in America. “To be successful, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community must take scripture out of the argument or it will not be successful.” And he admonished young members of the gay community to become more active in the cause by focusing on and solving negative issues as promiscuity and the lack of permanent relation building.

This nation is becoming more liberal,” he says, “and change is close to happening.”