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Oct
7
I just read the article 30 years after gay march, activists head to DC (AP). While it provided some really positive information about the National Equality March, it certainly wasn’t lackin’ any quotes from those annoying anti-NEM queers:
Some gay rights veterans have openly criticized the march as a waste of money and energy that would be better spent having supporters working to persuade voters in Maine and Washington state, where a measure that would overturn a bill granting same-sex couples many of the benefits of marriage is on the ballot in November.
“I hope people have a great time because that’s all that’s going to come out of this,” said Robin Tyler, a Los Angeles activist who spearheaded the earlier gay rights marches.
I’ve grown tired of queer NEM haters who want the entire US LGBTQ population to spend all their time, money and energy in Maine and California. Seriously? I don’t live in Maine or California so I don’t see the point in ignoring a national gay rights march in favor of helping Maine and California queers. Expecting the entire US LGBTQ population to fight for equality one state at a time is just insane. That strategy will become problematic when queers in Colorado decide that gay equality in Colorado should come before gay equality in West Virginia. Who will decide which states come in what order if this ridiculous state-by-state strategy ever came to life? Let me guess . . . the HRC, right?
So Robin Tyler, an activist who organized earlier gay rights marches says the only thing that will come of the NEM is a “good time.” I’m guessing (I’m not sure, so correct me if you know better) Tyler didn’t do much AFTER any of those previous marches she organized – except, maybe, plan another march. That kinda reminds me of those corporate executives who do nothing but plan meetings designed to plan more meetings designed to plan even more meetings. Don’t you just hate them?
Fortunately, today’s more aggressive and progressive gay rights activists are sick of following those supposed leaders who do nothing but ask us for our money – money used to fund big fancy celebrity galas and pay huge CEO-style salaries to Executive Directors who are supposed to be receiving non-profit-style salaries instead. We’ll return from the march on Sunday night and do a whole lot more than twiddle our thumbs and wait for the next march.
Please, pay no attention to the anti-NEM queer behind the curtain. Head to DC, stand up for your rights, then return home prepared for what will become the most bold and effective gay rights movement of our time.
Comments
2 Responses to “Pay No Attention to the Anti-NEM Queer Behind the Curtain”
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I think you hit the nail on the head. Almost invariably, the comments lead back to "But that's not how we did it when…"
I'm not interested in fighting state-by-state. You know why? Because it'll take another hundred years to get to Arkansas and Idaho and that's certainly a less than reasonable strategy. And I don't want to minimize all the work that's been done on a state-by-state strategy. It was vital.
State-by-state was necessary for a long time because Republicans controlled Congress. Then it was necessary when they controlled the White House.
But now we have both congressional chambers and a 'fierce advocate' in the White House. This is the time to push for national civil rights so that people in Arkansas and Idaho don't have to suffer because of where they were born.
Even if our LGBT Betters (like Barney Frank this afternoon) think it's a waste of time.
Matt:
I receive a lot of emails from organizations in CA and ME, asking me to donate money – even though I don't live in either of those states.
What happens if 10 states are all fighting anti-gay marriage amendments at one time? Will the whole US-based LGBTQ community be asked to pick a state to support? I mean, based on the criticisms I'm hearing about NEM taking money and other resources from CA and ME, I can't imagine how ticked off one state will be when 9 other states are asking for money and resources all at the same time!