It’s time for the LGBT community to stand up for others as others have stood up for us
In the almost eight years I’ve been out, I’ve marveled at the pace equality — and equity — for gays and lesbians have evolved. In addition to winning numerous court victories, rejoicing at the death of DOMA and DADT and seeing corporations and communities now aspire to be LGBT-friendly, we as a community have achieved so much, so quickly. No longer just stereotypes on TV sitcoms, we enjoy a much broader respect in much of the U.S.
Hurrah!
But — on human rights issues not gay or lesbian, it’s more of a “meh.”
Within our community as a whole, I have observed a basic disinterest in any issue not specifically related to our cause. Working for the liberty and equity of all people — a tenet of gay-rights pioneer Harvey Milk’s brand of activism — is something that seems to have slid down the list of our collective priorities. Don’t misunderstand: I dearly love waving my Pride flag whenever I get the chance. But there are many other flags that need waving.
Consider this: As much as we have changed the world — and enlisted allies to help us — what if we applied some of that zeal to other groups?
Women — who even in the 21st century lack the same power and privilege of men — cannot make their own healthcare decisions and are not guaranteed equality in the workplace. A Supreme Court whose majority did not represent the interests of the people its decision affected insulted the dignity of women.
Generally speaking, I happen to believe that on the issue of women’s healthcare choice, men need to shut the hell up, except in one instance: Men need to use their power and influence to ensure women have the same control over their bodies as we do ours, and that they earn equal pay for equal work.
The often-overlooked “T” in LGBTQ — our transgendered sisters and brothers — have been in great part fighting their battle for equity alone. We gays sure love our drag queens (as we should, forever in homage for Stonewall), but what if we applied our anti-bullying fervor to the transgender cause and embraced them just the same as we do our own little segment of the community?
I suspect that many immigrants and undocumented dreamers must feel so lost, so afraid, so alone in our country. However, unless you happen to be gay and undocumented, or are a member of the Latino-LGBT community, or find yourself in a bi-national relationship, few seem moved to action on the issue of immigration. LGBTQ people know what it’s like to be considered an “alien,” to be alone in this country. Why, then, aren’t we leveraging that experience into meaningful acts of empathy?
Russia. Uganda. Brunei. Now Jamaica? Being gay is dangerous — even deadly — in other parts of the world. LGBTQ Americans have a responsibility to use their privilege to stand up against violence against our people in other countries. Because if we don’t, who will?
Not everyone agrees on the politics — or method — of healthcare reform. But anyone who knows someone with a serious healthcare condition — particularly HIV/AIDS — has likely seen that person denied the healthcare they need and deserve. To those of us who have insurance: How concerned are we that Rick Perry refuses to expand Medicaid to provide coverage to those who need it most? Why we as a community aren’t beating down the doors of the state Capital, I do not know.
And what about the death penalty? And the injustice the economically disadvantaged experience? And the rising rates of HIV infection in very young people and non-Caucasian races? And the housing and senior care dilemma facing the oldest of our community?
The gay rights movement has been a struggle for dignity and respect, as much as anything. How can a people who have fought as hard as we have for those things not stand up for all of us? If we are pro-life, then we are pro-life in all its manifestations.
I wonder … What if we put our might and our dollars and social media influence toward other efforts?
Surely a people with so much experience being marginalized and dehumanized — and changing the world — could rise up and advocate for others who have not yet tasted the victories we have. We are a progressive people who, decades apart, elected candidates like Harvey Milk and Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Certainly we can whip up a state to elect allies like Wendy Davis over the bigot on the same ballot.
We have much work left to be done: We have to pass ENDA without religious exemptions, finish gutting DOMA and so on. Would “extracurricular activism” dilute our movement? Or would it make us stronger?
And as you contemplate that question, ask yourself: Where would we be today without our own Allies fighting alongside us?
Todd Whitley is a local activist who can usually be found tweeting (@toddwhitley), holding a picket sign, thrift store shopping, or eating Tex-Mex.
