Perennial fault lines of issues, strategy, and rhetoric within the gay community—largely papered over for the last few years in the surge of activity around marriage rights and opposition to the Bush administration—have reemerged in the post-election analysis of what went wrong and what the community should do next.
Some of this has played out in the pages of the mainstream press. Those reports often have lacked the background knowledge to place those discussions within a meaningful historic framework of the gay community.
The abrupt departure of president Cheryl Jacques from the Human Rights Campaign, far and away the largest and most influential of the gay political organizations, brought additional attention to a regularly scheduled meeting of HRC's governing boards in Las Vegas Dec. 6-7. Discussions at the meeting were frank and reflect an ongoing examination of the organization's priorities and tactics.
An article in The New York Times Dec. 9 said that HRC had 'adopted a new, more moderate strategy, with less emphasis on legalizing same-sex marriages and more on strengthening personal relationships.'
It cited an unnamed official as saying that the group would consider supporting President Bush's efforts to privatize Social Security in exchange for the right of gay partners to receive benefits under the program.
Then, in a 'game' of telephone where a reporter interprets and passes on second-hand information, and asks a third party to comment, the reporter summarized those comments as criticizing HRC for 'pre-emptive surrender and wrong-headed political calculations.'
The comment on Social Security prompted a letter to members of Congress, organized by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and signed by several dozen persons generally identified as being on the center-left of the political spectrum. It promised, 'We will not sacrifice our rights—or the rights of others like senior citizens—on the alter of political expediency.'
HRC responded to the article with a statement saying, its 'goals are unchanged and rock solid. There will be no retreat or compromise in the pursuit of full equality for GLBT Americans, in the laws of our nation and in the hearts of our fellow citizens.'
HRC has been heavily involved in traditional lobbying activities at the national level and has long taken a more pragmatic and incremental approach to representing the interests of the gay community than have some other groups and individuals. Its reaffirmation of that perspective is neither new nor surprising.
The fact that other groups and individuals articulate a somewhat differing spectrum of priorities and approaches is, likewise, neither new nor surprising.
While those on the left often are heard, it is less clear who speaks for the nearly one quarter of the community who, according to exit polls, voted for Bush.
What has emerged over the last several years is increased and regular conversation between the national GLBT organizations. This has diminished the sniping at each other and has increased coordination in the roles that each play in advancing the interests of the gay community. That is not likely to change.
The following letter was sent to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate:
First, know that we appreciate and value the thoughtful and visionary leadership so many of you have provided. As a community, we are proud to have allies in both parties.
There has been much speculation over the last month about the meaning of the results of the last election and its impact on the future of American politics. Some have even suggested that same-sex marriage was a major factor in the outcome. Upon reflection, thoughtful analysts have come to dismiss that notion and realize that terrorism and the War in Iraq were uppermost on people's minds.
The powerful and revealing fact is that over 60% of voters in Nov. 2 exit polls said they supported either marriage or civil unions for gay and lesbian couples. What remarkable progress we have made over these last years.
The New York Times today reported that some in the LGBT community are ready to pull back on our struggle for freedom to make everyone more comfortable politically, or willing to bargain away the rights of others to make a deal for themselves. Specifically, the notion was advanced that we could make gains at the expense of senior citizens by privatizing Social Security.
For our part, we want to be absolutely clear and on the record: We specifically reject any attempts to trade equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, a group that includes many elders, for the rights of senior citizens under Social Security or, for that matter, the rights of any other group of Americans.
Finally, although the struggle for freedom can be difficult and painful for those without full equality, it would be an historic mistake to grow tired of the battle or surrender basic rights and equality in order to make the road easier. We have made it through some extremely harsh and challenging times, including losing thousands and thousands of our friends and family to HIV/AIDS. This is a community that has heroically walked its own path of tribulations and travail, determined to be free and proud American citizens.
We will not sacrifice our rights—or the rights of others like senior citizens—on the altar of political expediency. Most of us, if confronted with that choice, would not even know where to begin. Which right would we give up? The right to adopt children? The right to serve our country proudly and with honor? The right to be at our partner's bedside in death? And how much would we be willing to hurt others like seniors as part of a cynical deal to 'help' ourselves? We are not for sale to those who would undermine Social Security and we are not prepared to walk away from political leaders who have stood with us.
Nothing short of full equality and protection granted to all other American citizens is acceptable. We know that these are times that require wise and brave people who believe and love justice and freedom.
Given recent events, we wanted to restate our determination to do what's right—for our community, for senior citizens, and for America. With the greatest respect, SIGNED:
Diane Abbitt, Co-Chair, Equality California
David Barr
Roberta Bennett
Betty Berzon, Ph.D.
Steve Black, Political Director, The Pennsylvania Gay And Lesbian Alliance ( PA-GALA )
David Bohnett
Craig A. Bowman, Executive Director, National Youth Advocacy Coalition
Howard Bragman
Kent Burbank, Executive Director, Wingspan ( Southern Arizona's LGBT Community Center )
Richard D. Burns, Executive Director, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center - NY
Alan Van Capelle, Executive Director, Empire State Pride Agenda
Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director, Lambda Legal
Josh Cazares and Nancy Wohlforth, Board Co-Presidents, Pride At Work, AFL-CIO
George Chauncey, Ph.D., Professor of History, University of Chicago
Bruce Cohen
Darrel Cummings, Chief of Staff, LA Gay & Lesbian Center
James Dale
Teresa DeCrescenzo, Executive Director Gay and Lesbian Adolescent Social Services ( GLASS )
Ann DeGroot, Executive Director. Out Front Minnesota
John D'Emilio, Professor of History. University of Illinois at Chicago
Sue Doerfer, Executive Director, Lesbian-Gay Community Service Center of Greater Cleveland
Hon. John J. Duran, Mayor, City of West Hollywood, California
Randall Ellis, Executive Director, Lesbian/Gay Rights Lobby of Texas
Paula Ettelbrick, Executive Director, International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission
Laurent Fischer
Patrick Flaherty, Director of Community Relations, Milwaukee Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center
Michael Fleming, Executive Director, David Bohnett Foundation
Matt Foreman, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Matthew J. Gallagher, Executive Dir., Dignity USA
Rick Garcia, Director, Equality Illinois
Penny Gardner, Ph.D., Program Director, Michigan Equality
Aimee Gelnaw, Executive Director, Family Pride Coalition
Steven Goldstein, Chair, Garden State Equality, New Jersey
Richard Gollance
Herb Hamsher
Richard S. Haymes, Executive Director, New York City Gay & esbian Anti-Violence Project
Sheila Healy, Executive Director, National Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Centers
Rick Jacobs, California Co-Chair, Dean for President
Terry Kaelber, Executive Director, Seniors in a Gay Environment ( SAGE )
Michael Kearns
Mara Keisling, Executive Director, National Center for Transgender Equality
Kate Kendell, Esq., Executive Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights
Geoffrey Kors, Executive Director, Equality California
Anamaria Loya, Executive Director, La Raza Centro Legal
Bill Melamed, Board Member, American Foundation for AIDS Research
David Mixner
Jeffrey Montgomery, Executive Director, Triangle Foundation
Dave Noble, Executive Director, National Stonewall Democrats
Torie Osborn
C. Dixon Osburn, Executive Director, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network
Pauline Park, Co-Chair, New York Association for Gender Rights Advocacy ( NYAGRA )
Clarence Patton, Interim Executive Director, National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs
Christopher J. Price
Jennifer Rakowski, Associate Director, Community United Against Violence
Warren Redman-Gress, Executive Director, Alliance For Full Acceptance
Doug Riley, Executive Director, Kansas City Anti-Violence Project
H. Alexander Robinson, National Black Justice Coalition
Eric Rofes
Mark M. Sexton and W. Kirk Wallace
Stacey L. Sobel, Executive Director, Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights
Jeff Soref
Jeff Soukup
Jonathan Stoller
Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches
Olga Vives, Vice-President, National Organization for Women
Bernard Whitman
Phill Wilson, Executive Director, Black AIDS Institute
Evan Wolfson, Executive Director, Freedom to Marry
