Queer v. Queer

An interesting conversation has been taking place on a blog that Girlzoot turned me onto. I have posted a couple of comments and his original posts with my responses have set me to thinking.

The issue discussed has been whether or not the focus of the GLBTQQS (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Straight) rights movement focusing too much on same-sex marriage has actually cause the movement to be set back. While I agree that setbacks have occurred, I don’t agree at all with his response. Have we been given setbacks in the battle for same-sex marriage, yes. Does this mean that it has hurt the GLBTQQS, no. Does this mean we abandon the pursuit of same-sex marriage, absolutely not.

There are some in the GLBTQQS community that don’t support same-sex marriage at all. There are various reasons for this: marriage is an archaic institution, we shouldn’t marry and try to recreate an institution that doesn’t work for the straights, we shouldn’t marry at all, etc. Many otherwise advocates of the GLBTQQS community don’t support same-sex marriage either for the same reasoning. Some of these arguments are valid but they are not good enough to stand idly by as laws are passed that specifically single out same-sex couples for exclusion from the world. There are over 1,000 rights and laws that are integrated with marriage that we are denied access to.

And while it may seem like the battle for same-sex marriage is distracting from the current battles for other rights, it is a fallacy because marriage should have been included from day one and it wasn’t. What we should be fighting for is the full inclusion of members of the GLBTQQS community in all aspects of American life. Unfortunately too many of us became comfortable when we achieved a certain level of equality and our presence in popular culture masked the fact that in a majority of areas of our Nation we are completely without legally protections in employment, marriage, military service, health care, accommodation and the list goes on, but not enough people know it.

I know that the battle for equality is never easy. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his life for what he believed to be right. There were many African Americans that opposed King and his quest for freedom, and much like those in the GLBTQQS community that oppose these battles they were wrong. We should learn from King and continue to fight but there in lies the problem.

Too many members of the GLBTQQS community don’t want to fight. The political apathy that exists in the community at large is even greater in our community. It is really difficult to fight a battle when the troops won’t even show up.

We also need direct leadership in the community and someone to step forward to take the cause to the public and to our political officials and make them accountable for the Queer vote. We have far too many candidates and people in office that are not willing to come to our defense or fight for us in our government. If a candidate does not support our rights then they should not get a SINGLE QUEER VOTE PERIOD. This is a lesson that I have only recently begun to learn, and my writing to my elected officials has not proven to be an emotionally fulfilling task.

I am finally beginning to understand our place in history and realize that I too haven’t been vocal and active enough. I don’t know where to direct my anger and fight but I know that I have to. The dilemma I continue to face, stay and fight or leave and live. The decision is still not made, and I don’t know when or if it ever will.

Till then… read this. No really, if it is the only thing you do today read it. I am considerig commiting portions of it to memory.