By Robyn Ochs
We were at a large conference, and it was long enough ago—likely in the early 1990s—that it was still called a “lesbian and gay” conference.
I arrived on site just as folks were exiting the first plenary session.
My friend Warren J. Blumenfeld, a prominent figure in the community who identified as a gay man, came out of the auditorium, rushed up to me, and said, “Can you believe the biphobic words that came out of that speaker’s mouth? Aren’t you going to go say something?”
I paused, a bit embarrassed to tell Warren I had missed the plenary and thus had no idea what had been said.
In that moment, before I had a chance to say another word, something clicked in Warren’s brain, and his expression changed. He stated, “I am going back inside to talk to that speaker,” and he turned and re-entered the auditorium.
I often say that folks in targeted groups shouldn’t have to be the only ones advocating for themselves. This small action meant the world to me.
My next story also involves Warren. But I’ve asked Warren to share this story: See “What’s In a Name? Very Much Indeed!”