I stumbled this morning across a website, which I will not name cause I won't endorse that kind of thing, populated by conservative gay people. And though I get it, and sometimes understand their point, I cannot agree with it.
The contributors in the comment section ranged from sedate sounding lawyer types giving sage advice as though they know how this will all turn out. To obsequious assimilationists who would swallow cyanide capsules if it meant they could get married immediately after.
I found it interesting that none endorsed protests in the streets as a means of effecting change. Though clearly ALL have benefited from those of us who have risked our lives by doing exactly that. And yes we did risk our lives, on more than one occasion.
If I sound a little bitter, well, sorry. I just don't see how anyone can deny that those of us who took/take to the streets when injustice is foisted upon us can be dismissed as easily as we obviously are.
My current objection to the protests is that they're not and never have been pro-active. No one is out there saying, "Hey! We are citizens of this country and WE DO HAVE THESE RIGHTS ALREADY, and you're not going to deny them to us. We'll get out in the streets and stay there until you recognize that fact."
But that's not what happened, is it? Nope, most gay people, even those of us who've worked at the grass-roots level for many years were urging pro-active protest, who were encouraging gay people everywhere to get their cause out there, were ignored, and dismissed as reactive drama queens.
And, just how do you think we got as far as we have? Do you have any idea the history and impact of Stonewall? Do you even know the name ACT/UP? Have you even given any thought to queer history and how any change has been effected?
I doubt it.
I have very mixed emotions about what's going on, but I DO NOT have mixed emotions about the fact that our civil rights are being violated EVERY FUCKING DAY, and everyone seems perfectly ok with that.
For that reason and that reason alone we have to stand up, we're obligated to take to the streets and make this world better. If not for ourselves, for future generations of gay men and women. And we know there will be future generations, we don't recruit people, we don't have to. We are to the manor born and no one who has lived through the process of self-discovery and coming out can realistically deny that.
Live up to your responsibility as a member of a culture that has continued to contribute to a society, nay, to a world that would rather we weren't in it. A world in which we've tolerated the shabby way we've been treated and sometimes even swallowed our pride and said thank you for that treatment, cause it was better than the alternative. Do we really have to insist on our rights after all this time? In this "enlightened" culture? In a world that would use us, and yet deny us our basic human rights?
Should we really just say please and thank you and take whatever crumbs they're wiling to offer because we too perceive ourselves as second-class?
I think not.
