Both the tragic death of Michael Brown and the response of the Ferguson community point to very large problems in our society.  Among those problems is the over-policing that both the African-American and LGBT communities face; as well as pervasive economic inequality and racial injustice.  These problems are systemic, and no one grand jury could be expected to solve them with one indictment.  In the wake of tonight’s news, we must all commit ourselves to working to bridge the divides that create such tragedies, and to valuing the lives of all people in our society.
We speak out now because LGBT people come from all communities, from all races and creeds.  We speak out now because struggles for justice are deeply interconnected.  And we speak out now because we care about the promises of the Constitution, and work toward their fulfillment.  We commit ourselves today to working for a better, more just America.