OMG - I can't believe I'm agreeing with Andrew Sullivan!

[thoreau]

I usually read Andrew Sullivan's "Daily Dish" and have to go the restroom and vomit. But I really liked this entry from his blog this morning:

A reader writes:

It surprises me that some commentators see messianism in a phrase that strikes me as deeply anti-messianic. The line is akin to "there's no Justice, there's just us" in that it calls on us to give up our fantasies of some deus ex machina descending to make everything right and just, and urges us to roll up our sleeves and get involved.

In a slightly different context, Reagan could have said it. As someone involved in the gay rights world for a while, it strikes me that this is also a core message we need to convey. The Clinton model - exemplified by the Human Rights Campaign - is: give us some big donor checks, we'll hire a lobbyist (if you're lucky), and we'll work the Democratic party establishment to give you your equality (which somehow never happens). Meanwhile: keep whining (and sending the checks). The Obama model is: you will only get your equality if you stand up for it, risk your job, status, even life for the sake of your own integrity. Stop whining and start explaining and persuading and acting.

So many gay people over the years have asked me where our "leader" is. It's the wrong question. We are the ones we have been waiting for. Be the change you want to see in the world. And the world changes. In exact proportion to the number of gay people who have abandoned their fear and self-hatred, it already has. No excuses, guys. And no need to wait.

Comments

[madknits.livejournal.com]

I detest Mr Sullivan, and I wonder where he's been while all sorts of grass roots organisations have been cropping up deal with gay rights issues. Looking for a leader? Hardly. Working with other like-minded individuals to change the system, you bet.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

but see - I don't see all sorts of grass roots organizations popping up. I see HRC going around the country telling local organizations "become an HRC chapter, e.g. change your name to HRC Idaho - THEN we'll give you money and help with political strategy". I know that Massachusetts is an incredible model for keeping the antigay side of the argument at bay - but are there really grassroots organizatins starting up and surviving and accomplishing change?

I think Sullivan is right (and I never say that) - I think that a lot of gay men ARE looking around for "who is going to deliver change for me?" -- they are looking around for a leader rather than using Sullivan's argument for individual impact. Come out. Speak out. and if every single one of us does that - change starts to happen.

[madknits.livejournal.com]

Maybe MA is different. I see several grass roots organisations around here. I've even done some work with them.

I don't trust HRC as far as I can throw a fit, even though I give them money.

As for coming out and making a difference, I don't think I could get much further out of the closet. ;-)

And my observation is that the Republicans don't want us or our money (look how Bob Dole returned the Log Cabin's donation), and that the Democrats court us and promise us the moon, and then when they actually get into office, they sell us down the river. I'm not sure which is worse.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

Sorry I let my godIamfrustratedashellwithHRC issues come out so clearly. and I totally agree with your response. as I said in my post last night? Gay rights are only used to lure votes - and nothing else. They lure conservative voters out because they want us restrained (and not in the good way) and devalued; and the left lures liberal voters out with not even BIG promises for change - and then we get sold down the river. Neither is a good choice. Thats why politics is such a hard game for gays in America today I think.

[madknits.livejournal.com]

I think we need to take over a state an secede from the Union.

And no, I'm not kidding.

Maybe Washington?

[bukephalus.livejournal.com]

Wow. That's the clearest, sharpest, most compact analysis of a core problem with gay politics that I have read in a long time. Thank you.

[joebehrsandiego.livejournal.com]

Though I have often not agreed with Mr. Sullivan's specific politics in the past he has used his "bully pulpit" (editor of the New Republic being the most obvious) to put LGBT (well, OK gay male) issues out there.

Can't argue with this latest tack. Good for him.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

*hands you back your activist card*

(/end thread across multiple journals)

[joebehrsandiego.livejournal.com]

I forwarded a MoveOn.org email regarding an Obama event in Denver (bring your cell phones, call Dems in TX and OH prior to the primary) to Brett, David and C.J./mtnkodiak. It starts Sunday at 4:00 p.m. ... same time as beerbust at The Wrangler. My message line: "A Beerbust Alternative!" ;-)

David agreed it was a good idea so we'll see.

[delmarmar.livejournal.com]

Here here!

As in I agree, not pick me I'm your leader. ;)

[wearbear.livejournal.com]

I have some issues with Sullivan but even more issues with HRC. To me they come into town suck up all the available spare cash and then maybe give a pitance to a local group or two.
Then they proceed to not get much of anything accomplished.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

HRC makes me so angry. I was the chair of Your Family Friends and Neighbors - the advocacy group that FOUR times fought successfully to battle back the right in Idaho to keep the state constitution free of antigay language. Then - when The Family Research Council gave the local righteous 2 Million dollars in 2006 to fight the "good fight" - we went to HRC. There response LITERALLY - was "rename yourselves HRC Idaho - and we'll see - right now we're pouring all our resources into Massachusetts." I am really proud of what was accomplished in Massachusetts - but I don't think HRC had a goddamn thing to do with it. They disgust me.

[wearbear.livejournal.com]

Ask folks in the trans community what they think of HRC, they've been more than willing to through transfolks under the bus.

[stivalineri.livejournal.com]

I stopped giving to HRC years ago when I saw that most of their spending was focused on the East and West Coasts, in localities that already had strong protections for gay people, and where there was hardly any incidence of gay bashing crimes. I think the HRC attitude is if you're gay, you ought to be smart enough to get out of your rooster poop town and come to Oz. They've used Texas the same way the Democrats have, as a big cash cow, and done diddly squat to fight for the basic human right not to be killed for you are.

My two cents......

[cuyahogarvr.livejournal.com]

A couple of useless tidbits from my perspective......

Like you, I don't always agree with Andrew Sullivan, but here, he's pretty close to being on target.

HRC = Big money, Big politics, little significant accomplishments for the little guy.

My most important grassroots organization - being fortunate enough to raise three children with integrity and pride in their gay fathers and watching them stand up for civil rights for all people. I can't tell you the number of times that I know of, where they stood up for me and went out on a limb with their friends and acquaintences. They are "the change" as far as I'm concerned. As much as I would like to see the gay revolution occur in my lifetime, I more realistically believe my children and their contemporaries will be the ones to accomplish the task. Does that mean I'll stop my efforts to educate them and their friends - never!

My other grassroots organization - square dancing. As much as this "cult" is discussed and disected, it's one of the most amazing places that allows gay and straight people to come together and have a really good time dancing together. And yes, I can't count the number of times that I've heard straight people comment that they truly have no problems dancing with gay men and that the experience has taught them to accept and get along with a wide variety of people, including some members of their own families.

end of my two cents

Re: My two cents......

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

Thanks for chiming in your otterificness! :)

Re: My two cents......

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

BTW - that's a much happier Coldstone Icon. :)

I hope I didn't hurt your feelings with the icon I made you the other day....

Re: My two cents......

[cuyahogarvr.livejournal.com]

Nah! the truth can never hurt or insult.

Re: My two cents......

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

you never write.
you never call.
I simply don't exist any more.
(sobbing uncontrollably into a towel)
you're too busy baking giant assed brownies, and delicious dinners and (more sobbing)
having nonstop sex
(wailing)


ahem.
(dries eyes with towelette)

shoot me an email would you, Mary?!

[bukephalus.livejournal.com]

True dat.