If there isn’t already
a Robin Tyler Day
on your 80th birthday
let’s make it an official holiday
so fitting that we celebrate you
for this concise and simple truth
Robin Tyler, We Owe You

Activist, advocate, leader,
producer, creator, mentor, motivator,
world traveler, comedian, icon
you showed us so many things
why and how to celebrate ourselves
our diversity and unique qualities
through humor, music, art,
politically, and culturally.
You brought us together as family
you made it our mission our dream
you said this and made it true:
“We are no longer talking
about our lifestyles, we are
finally talking about our lives.”
Robin Tyler, we honor you

From the beginning you
suited up and showed up
here’s to the stunning
white tie and tales
you wore onstage as a stand-up
you switched the paradigm
from anti-gay jokes to pro-gay jokes
from anti-us to pro-us
inclusive comedy, truth, and laughter
that brought us from invisible
and marginalized to ultimately
helping us live in a safer
more accepting world
you opened doors
for audiences and clubs
you broke down walls
for the comedians, actors, and artists
who would follow you
and stand on your shoulders
Robin Tyler, we appreciate you

You made it personal when you
stepped up to battle prop 8
you produced PSA’s to stop the hate
you changed global perception
and added love is love
to the cultural canon
you had already fought
for years and won
your case in high court to
marry the woman you loved
in matching elegant ivory suits
on your wedding day
with your partner Diane Olson
your nuptials marked
a hard won victory
your personal day in history
marriage equality became reality
Robin Tyler, we celebrate you

You’ve accomplished year 80
and once again you’re center stage
for all the years as a pioneer
always breaking new ground
even as you took the stage
you always held open the curtain
generous in guiding, lighting the way
you left your brand of
dedication in all you created
women’s comedy and music festivals,
equality movements, civil rights
marches, around the world
at pride parades, lesbian safaris
global adventures and cruises
you brought us together
as feminists and lesbians
your voice and vision
called us all
all genders and preferences
gay lesbian bisexual and trans
family redefined and celebrated
from Canada to Washington DC,
to Russia to Australia
you saw no boundaries
telling us always
we are not less than
we are not less than
happy birthday with gratitude
Robin Tyler, We Owe You