December 1 marked my first anniversary as NGLTF's executive director. In twelve months I visited forty cities, many of them more than once. I traveled to small towns and some of the country's most urban areas. I spoke at statewide conferences, pride events, town meetings and community dinners. I visited community centers, anti-violence projects, youth programs, and offices of local and statewide organizations. I met local, state and national elected and appointed officials. I learned from gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered activists and our allies.

In short, like most executive directors of national organizations, I ran and I ran and I ran. Here's a snapshot of my life: My Sunday night is spent packing (I'm very grateful for the decision to purchase good luggage early in my tenure).

Monday morning six a.m., I kiss my partner, Mary, goodbye and catch the Washington Flyer shuttle to the airport. By noon, barely off the plane, I attend the first event at my selected destination. Monday night, eleven o'clock and still with my suitcase, I attend the last event at my selected destination. I spend the night with very gracious hosts who have agreed to house me, sight unseen. I repeat this schedule for a few days. I return home, kiss Mary, greet our three dogs and two cats, meet with my colleagues. And start all over.

With all of this running came great visibility and privilege. In every town, people showed me tremendous kindness. For a day or a weekend, or even a week, strangers became new friends, tour guides and fashion consultants. I was introduced to parents and pastors, pets and partners. Town after town, event organizers trustingly turned me loose with their donors, their board members, local media, local elected officials and participants in their events.

During the year, I became an expert on a variety of subjects. Would Ellen come out? What fueled Andrew Cunanan's murder spree? Would same-gender marriage spell the end of western civilization? Could the Southern Baptist Boycott bring Disney to its knees? In a world of complexities, I learned the joys of sound bites.

I also learned the joys of collaboration and convening. Every month, I ate lunch with other national colleagues. In the short space of one year, NGLTF convened 45 graduates of our youth leadership institute; sponsored two gatherings of the federation of statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered political organizations in Knoxville, TN, and Washington, DC; gathered over 30 executive directors of national GLBT political organizations in Washington DC; and hosted our 10th Creating Change, attended by over 1500 people in San Diego, CA.

So exactly what have I gotten for my hundred thousand plus miles of travel? My adventures have taught me an important lesson. Its the one I learned a long time ago that has been reinforced over and over again. The center of gravity for our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered communities is right where we are. Its in the cities and towns, the states and communities that we call home. We are impacted more by what happens in our own city council or county commission every day than we are by what happens in Washington, DC. The path to our freedom begins at our own front door and intersects with tens of thousands of others who travel the same journey for civil rights for all people.