Why I said yes.

So they asked me to be treasurer of the Democratic Party, and my first reaction was, "They asked me to be treasurer of the Democratic Party?" Yes, I had been treasurer of my high school class, but that just meant collecting $7 from each of 110 kids and handing it over to the principal's office. This would mean ... what? All the E-mails started out the same:

"Congratulations! (I think.)" Or "Congrats/condolences."

The ambivalence may have referred to the $1-a-year salary or to my one official duty--signing our Federal Election Commission reports. (A few E-mails concluded with, "Hire a good lawyer.") Or it may have referred to my one unofficial duty--helping the party raise $200 million. In my own mind it referred to the prospect of having to wear a suit and tie and of--God forbid--breakfast meetings. (Not to mention how unsexy it is: "Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee." Charles says not to worry, but in my mind the title comes with an instant paunch.)

And yet, of course, I said yes.

For two reasons.

The first is a little embarrassing because it's so square. But here it is: As cynical as one can become about politics and as badly as we need campaign finance reform (blocked especially by the Republicans, who have more money)--and for all its flaws--there is no doubt that our system of government and the freedom and prosperity it allows us to enjoy are precious. And for that we need political parties. It's a privilege to be asked to participate.

The second, though, is the real reason I said yes: It's so great that they wanted an openly gay man.

This is a party that, in stark contrast to the other one, has eagerly welcomed our support and forcefully advocated our issues. And it's not just that the DNC shot off a press release defending the purple Teletubby. Did you know, for example, that the DNC has required all 50 state parties to submit written plans to reach out to include openly lesbian and gay delegates to the Democratic National Convention in 2000? In one sense, I guess, this stuff is very boring. But it is the infrastructure of our nation. It is by these boring but real increments that our country changes--and sets an example for the world.

As I write this, I'm just treasurer designate. The president and vice president have recommended to the DNC a slate of officers, whom the DNC executive committee has endorsed. On March 20 the full DNC membership votes. Heading our slate as national chairman (along with general chairman Roy Romer and general cochairs Rep. Loretta Sanchez and Detroit mayor Dennis Archer) is Joe Andrew, a lawyer and spy novelist, who heads the Democratic Party in Indiana. I got to know Joe this summer because he chaired the committee that toured the seven cities vying for the Democratic National Convention in 2000. I was one of three openly gay members appointed to this committee (the Republicans had none on their committee, naturally).

And one night in Los Angeles, asked by the mayor to speak, Joe said something--unscripted and from the heart--I've been quoting ever since. "You know," he said, "we're Democrats. We don't care whether you're black or white or green or purple. We don't care whether you walked in here or you rolled in here. We don't care what gender you are or what gender you hold hands with--so long as you hold hands."

And that's the deal. So long as you hold hands. One day the Republicans will get it too. When they do, we should welcome their conversion. But that day hasn't come yet. Bob Barr is too busy defending his (third) marriage.

So here's my pitch. Get involved. If you're not registered to vote, for heaven's sake do it (Netizens can log on to http://www, democrats.org/action/main_registration.html). And send me a check. A huge one would be nice, but $10 or $25 or $50 would be great too. I promise the source will be noted.

We've been given a place at the table--not grudgingly but with love and good grace. Let's not fail to show up. And let's not fail to pay for our share of the meal.

Tobias is author of The Best Little Boy in the World, recently added to the Modern Library series, and its sequel, The Best Little Boy in the World Grows Up.