Prop 8: Regardless of the decision - two-prong approach is needed

[radfringe]

Prop 8: Regardless of the decision - two-prong approach is needed

30+years of being "out of the closet" - has given me a bit of perspective.

My first "activist" involvement was with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anita_Bryant#Political_campaigning">Dade County and Anita Bryant waaaaay back in 1977. Although, I didn't live in Florida, I took part in the orange juice boycott, signed petitions, and joined in local marches.

At that time it looked like the GLBT rights movement had managed to band together. NOPE. Once the noise over Bryant stopped, the GLBT community pretty much split up into little groups with their own agendas and more often than not - engaged in fighting each other.

What happened?

For any civil rights movement to be successful - there must be unity around a central theme or symbol. Once Bryant disappeared from the headlines, so did the symbol and with it the reason for unity.

Prop 8 is providing a theme/symbol at the moment. What will happen when a decision is made? If the courts toss Prop 8 into the shredder - will the GLBT coommunity celebrate and go home? Most likely, as the battle has been "won", nothing more to see, move along.

As "limbaughian" as it may sound - upholding Prop 8 may be the best thing for the GLBT community - as it will give a reason, a theme, a symbol to continue fighting for civil rights. (feel free to flame)

The GLBT groups must unite on a national level, and we need a leader. Prop 8 could give us the reason for unity, but we still need that leader. Until that happens, we're just spinning our wheels.

A few states recognize "gay-marriage" in various forms, some state recognize "domestic partnerships" when it comes to health-care benefits - however on a national level - it's a crazy quilt of legislation. The debate needs to be framed by us - not by the opposition. When they talk about "special priviledges" or "special rights" - isn't marriage a special right/priviledge? Only married people can file tax returns jointly, only married people have the priviledge of having family health plans....etc.

First Prong: Take a page or two from Howard Dean's 50-state plan. Organize groups in each state to challenge discrimatory laws - and this means more than a once-a-year pride march.

Second Prong: Attack it on a national level. Drag everything and anything to a national level. Bring it into the Federal Courts, and push up the stairs to the Supreme Court.

[cali]

1. Sound analysis, I believe but don't forget how vital it is for like minded straight folks

to align themselves with this effort. I'm really, really hoping that Maine and Vermont pass legislatively mandated marriage equality laws.

[radfringe]

2. part of the marriage equality laws

need to include provisions to mutually recognize "gay" marriages performed in other states.

We live in PA, we can take a short drive to Massachusetts and get married - but if it's not recognized in PA it's just a MINO (marriage in name only)

Few more comments:

Another tactic is to start up a GLBT version of Emily's List - put money into campaigns of GLBT friendly politicians.

Regarding calling it MARRIAGE vs CIVIL UNIONS - on a personal level I don't care - as long as the SAME "special priviledges" given to straight couples are given to my partner and me. The only difference I can see between the two is a matter whether or not it's a religious ceremony or a civil one - and even a religous official needs STATE recognition to perform a LEGAL marriage.

You don't need a religious official to oversee the ceremony, an Elvis impersonator (if legally recognized by the state) can perform a marriage and it's a legal marriage across the nation.

[cali]

3. I really like the idea of forming a GLBT version of Emily's List

I hope you're passing on your ideas to the relevant organizations.

[radfringe]

4. I've sent an outline/summary of my suggestions

to various GLBT organizations in PA... the only responses I've received are crickets or a "we're a social group, not a political one"...

Hoping to get my post bumped up to the front page list and perhaps catch attention on a larger podium

[radfringe]

7. ..

[radfringe]

5. a kick from the voice in the wilderness.... n/t

[lunatica]

6. Kicked and recommended