ABOUT THE WALK

"In many ways, it is easier to walk 500 miles than to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender in America." —Jennifer Schumaker

About the Walk Event

On Saturday, April 8th, 2006, Jennifer (writer, lesbian, and single soccer mom of four) embarked upon “A Walk for Togetherness” from San Diego—a 500 mile walk up the coast of California—and ending in San Francisco on Saturday, June 3rd, 2006.

On a typical day, Jennifer walked a certain number of miles speaking to people at restaurants and on the street about the shared humanity of all persons. Jennifer was surprised (but then partially not surprised) by the positive response from people she met along the way—from of all walks of life—from both gay and straight people.

The Need and Purpose of the Walk

All Americans, whether they realize it or not, have a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender person in their families, workplace or circle of friends. As sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, mothers and fathers, many have suffered and too many families and communities have been torn apart.

I walked for eight weeks to highlight the fact that all of us are interconnected. Any discussions or debates that use the words “we” and “they” to polarize communities are erroneous and destructive.

Looking at my family, for example, in order to define “us” and “them,” along lines of gay/straight, two in my nuclear family would be an “us” and three would be “them.” In order to define “us” and “them” along lines of hispanic/anglo, I guess I would be an “us” and all my children would be a “them.” Or would my children be “us” and me “them?” I'm trying to point out the absurdity of dividing our families and communities, then watching as “we” debate “their” rights.

Every one of us is affected when we feel we cannot talk about, acknowledge or celebrate members of our families and communities because of the fear of judgment. The time has come for the discussion to evolve: no longer should our familial and social discourse about our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender family and friends be couched in terms of “we” vs. “they” and “us” vs. “them.”

Another goal is to help focus on my personal story as a lesbian "soccer mom" and daughter of straight parents. I'm hoping that by committing to this difficult, but positive, and sustained action of walking 500 miles, I can help family and friends to start acknowledging the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in their lives. Perhaps there will be less stress in talking about family members if folks can point to my efforts and say, “Well, there's that lesbian walking 500 miles. Maybe I can bring up my gay son or transgender daughter.”

I'm hoping that when folks hear my story, they will see that I'm no hero, but I'm trying to do something heroic, to encourage others to do whatever is heroic for them. For someone out there, the heroic act might be to finally say “my gay son,” to a neighbor, or to finally acknowledge that the “roommate” who has been coming to Christmas dinner for years is a beloved family member's beloved spouse or life-partner. For someone else, heroic might be to finally call a transgender family member, for example a child born genetically male who has claimed her female nature and lives as such, by the pronoun “she.”

What my walk boils down to is this: let's talk to one another about who we are and who makes up our families. We needn't fear what we'll find, because we will be the same people we were before, without the stress of hiding from one another. As more of us stop pretending that there is an “us”and a “them,” it will become easier and easier to let go of assumptions and bigotry. Then, free of the shackles of shame and fear, we can work, play, and live in togetherness.

One Woman Stepping Forward

Jennifer Schumaker is like any other suburban soccer mom: mother of four children, classroom volunteer and involved in her church. Motivated by the pain and hope of her personal story, Jennifer has decided that the time has come to move past the finger pointing of today’s political environment to focus on promoting compassion, building community, and creating hope for the future for all of us.

The Symbol

Drawing from the celebration of our diversity that the rainbow has come to symbolize for so many, Jennifer will ask supporters to wear the “togetherness ribbon” to acknowledge and celebrate our family members and friends who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender.

You can purchase a ribbon pin, car magnet ribbon, hat (with ribbon logo) or shirt (with ribbon logo). Please see the Store link on this site and how to order any of these items.

All purchases are used to help continue the Vision and Mission of Walk for Togetherness. Thank you for your donation!

Walk Dedication

Jennifer is not only walking for LGBT people and their families, but also for anyone who feels invisible in our society. Jennifer has dedicated her walk to a 12 year old boy named Dakota, who has cerebral palsy. When Dakota was 7, Jennifer heard him call himself “the Invisible Man.” Senator Christine Kehoe, an endorser of Jennifer's walk, sent Dakota a beautiful certificate with the California State Seal commending Dakota for inspiring Jennifer.

When Dakota's mom, Wendy, read an entry from Jennifer's blog (Jennifer's Walk blog in 2006—which is no longer on-line.) to Dakota, Dakota said to his mom, “If Jennifer's walking, then I'm going to, too.” He then found the courage to walk independently across their kitchen linoleum floor, something he had been afraid to attempt for the two years they have lived in their new house.

After Dakota's triumphant moment, his father, Scott, booked flights and hotel—though the family is not well-off—so they could be in San Francisco for the end of Jennifer's walk. Which by the way, they did fly to San Francisco and did join Jennifer to participate in Jennifer's Walk finale. How incredible is that? (Take a quick peak at the picture on the home page.)