A lot of the mainstream political activities of gays and lesbians (marriage, adoption rights...etc.) have been spearheaded by white, middle-class gays and lesbians. And there's been a sense among a substantial subset of this group that the desires of gay white middle-class folks matches the desires of all queer people. And many non-white queers and non-queers are not as concerned about this issues as about others.
Jasmyne isn't saying she's against same-sex marriage...just that there are other things that are perhaps more pressing. And, frankly, I know she's not alone in that thought.
Additionally, while no law in the US actually states different rules for black and whites, it's fairly obvious that in construction or enforcement there are laws that differently effect white folks and non-white folks. This article discusses just one example.
I think that there needs to be more focus on the intersections of race and class with LGBT struggles if people actually want to make progress.
i think you're ignoring your own call for a focus on interesections of race, class, & sexual orientation when criticizing the political activities of white middle-class lgbt people: political action takes a lot of money and time that lower class people simply don't have to offer
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Well, honestly, my response simply points out her position and the fact that I understand her perspective. And I agree with many of her points. However, to respond...
I think you're ignoring your own call for a focus on interesections of race, class, & sexual orientation when criticizing the political activities of white middle-class lgbt people: political action takes a lot of money and time that lower class people simply don't have to offer.Well, firstly, if we look at the political actions geared toward, say, immigration reform, the people most active have largely been a) not white and b) not rich. Most of the ground work for the political action during the civil right movement additionally were done by people who were a) not white and b) not rich
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I think that many people have fallen into the trap that the Yes on 8 campaign set. We weren't fighting for a right we didn't already have, we were fighting for to keep a right that was already affirmed. To vote to take away a right is vastly different than voting against giving a right. The fact that one group is "ahead" doesn't excuse the fact that people voted to move a group back. Unless the goal is to move everyone to the lowest common denominator. I would prefer we all move forward.
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A lot of the mainstream political activities of gays and lesbians (marriage, adoption rights...etc.) have been spearheaded by white, middle-class gays and lesbians. And there's been a sense among a substantial subset of this group that the desires of gay white middle-class folks matches the desires of all queer people. And many non-white queers and non-queers are not as concerned about this issues as about others.
Jasmyne isn't saying she's against same-sex marriage...just that there are other things that are perhaps more pressing. And, frankly, I know she's not alone in that thought.
Additionally, while no law in the US actually states different rules for black and whites, it's fairly obvious that in construction or enforcement there are laws that differently effect white folks and non-white folks. This article discusses just one example.
I think that there needs to be more focus on the intersections of race and class with LGBT struggles if people actually want to make progress.
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I think you're ignoring your own call for a focus on interesections of race, class, & sexual orientation when criticizing the political activities of white middle-class lgbt people: political action takes a lot of money and time that lower class people simply don't have to offer.Well, firstly, if we look at the political actions geared toward, say, immigration reform, the people most active have largely been a) not white and b) not rich. Most of the ground work for the political action during the civil right movement additionally were done by people who were a) not white and b) not rich ( ... )
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