Kendall :: NCLR Acceptance Remarks :: May 2014

Ryan Kendall NCLR Courage Award acceptance remarks, Saturday, May 17, 2014.

Banning conversion therapy is something that we do now. Just a handful of years ago this was
not the case — addressing the harm of anti-LGBT conversion therapy simply was not a priority
for the LGBT rights. These groundbreaking laws are particularly meaningful to the 16-year-old
me. You know — the kid who watched his life fall apart before him; the kid who risked
everything just so that he could be who he was. For that Ryan, seeing these bans come to life and
graduating from college are overwhelming victories, because the 16 year-old Ryan fought so
hard to keep me here — he fought to give me a chance. I owe that guy a hell of a lot. And if I
could go back? If I could somehow send a message back in time, what would I tell that Ryan? I
would tell him this: "It will be a long, hard journey, but you win.” Standing before you tonight,
only a short distance from where I testified in the Prop 8 case, I am reminded how my life has
come full circle, and I am reminded of the power each of us has to bring positive change to a
deeply flawed world.

I am deeply honored to be recognized alongside Samuel Brinton for our work to help bring an
end to the pain and suffering this vile practice causes. Conversion therapy has long played a
central role in discrimination against LGBT people by arguing the our identities do not exist.
Those who support conversion therapy falsely claim that being LGBT is a behavioral choice,
thus denying the reality of our lives. I am here today to tell you that we will no longer tolerate
this abusive practice. And I promise you, Samuel, myself, NCLR, and others will not relent in
our quest to eradicate conversion therapy in the United States, and from there, hopefully, the
world. More importantly, I am thankful for the visionary and steadfast leadership of NCLR on
this and so many other issues. There is no finer civil rights organization existent today more
worthy of your support or more dedicated to building a better, fairer world for all.

As Robert Kennedy said in his 1966 “Day of Affirmation” speech, “We must recognize the full
human equality of all of our people before God, before the law, and in the councils of
government. We must do this, not because it is economically advantageous, although it is; [and]
not because the laws of God command it, although they do . . . We must do it for the single and
fundamental reason that it is the right thing to do.”

History will not merely recount the struggle for equality; history will record our victory. Thank
you for this great honor.