Harvey Muggy (1944-1991) was a grassroots political organizer with a vision. His vision was that the gay community deserved and could achieve real political power in Washington State by taking an active role in party politics. Like many gay activists, Harvey was triggered by the national anti-gay crusade of 1978. He registered voters, filled PCO positions with supporters, knew the issues and the candidates, and monitored elections precinct by precinct on maps like a general on a battlefield. He donated generously to political campaigns and made sure candidates knew it was "gay money" that was supporting them. Harvey saw that even good friends could not stand up to the hateful rhetoric in the legislature as well as "one of our own", so he ran for 43rd District Representative in 1986. Harvey himself was a humble person, however, and knew his real value was in motivating others. In 1988 he delivered the PCO votes that appointed Cal Anderson in the state legislature as the first openly gay representative in Washington. Harvey Muggy saw the need to organize politically and did the basics to make that happen. A child of Clallum-Irish parents, Harvey supported social justice for all as his motto stated: "It is not enough to work for one group's civil liberties unless you work for all." Copyright Harvey Muggy Stonewall Democratic Organization, 1998. |
||||||||||||
