Random Thoughts: Gay Activism

My struggles with some gay activists continues. It's interesting how we want others to be open-minded about our rights. But, when we challenge some of our own to think outside of the bubble, we are quickly labeled as traitors and self-haters. These folks should know that any human/civil rights movement never made change by thinking the same. If Bayard Rustin never challenged Martin Luther King, neither of them would've become the men we cherish and respect. We need to recognize that sometimes, you'll have to disagree in order to succeed.

My Two Cents on this Unnecessary Anger over the HRC's Executive Pay

A few days ago the salaries of the exec board of the HRC came out.

The President Chad Griffin made over 300K, more than the previous president, Joe Solmonese. Well, within seconds, some of the gay activists went batcrap crazy and demanded for the head of Chad.

Yes, that was dramatic, but I'm just mirroring some of the foolishness surrounding this hateration. From a few blogs, some folks said the HRC wasn't doing this, wasn't doing that. Then, they talked about why the HRC didn't do something about ENDA and some more mess.

To be honest, the reasons for their anger was based off of assumptions and speculations. Nothing reasonable or concrete. Their anger over the HRC goes back some years. And while some of it is understandable, a lot of it is foolishness.

Now, I'm not a member of the HRC, nor do I donate to them, but this sorority girl hate some activists have about them is getting old and silly. They're not perfect, but they never claimed to be the end all, be all. If anything, they're trying achieve the same goal as the rest of us are. They just have more money to play with and powerful people in their sand box. If that's the reason why some activists are mad, then quit now, because it will always be like this. The execs will continue to make money and the HRC will keep moving on.

This type of misguided anger does no one any good, so let it go and find real reasons to be upset.

Move the Olympics out of Sochi! Okay, then... Where and How?

So we are continuing to hear about the Winter Games boycott. Keith Olbermann gave a nasty read about it the other day on his show and we still see rants on a few blogs.

But while we're demanding for Sochi to shut down, let's actually step up two more steps in the argument. So far, I haven't heard from any activists or celebrity about where to the move the Olympics, let alone, how can this happen.

Are we thinking about how a particular country or city could handle the Olympics? The cost of the move? The athletes readjusting or even if the other places are safe for the athletes?  It is my belief that we have to think ahead and realistically about all of this. While it's cute rant and rave, it's pointless without a solid plan to see it through.

And I don't want to hear someone say, "That's their problem to handle this," no Boo Boo, we're making the demands, we should also have plan. We need to start providing solutions, let me rephrase that, SOLID solutions, no quick fixes.

I think if gay activists just have a seat and think through a lot of this, A) they may see that the boycott is impossible at this point or B) come up with how, when, and where. Still, it may not move mountains, but it could get some more folks talking and possibly reconsidering. You never know, right?

Now, as always, I am a stanch gay rights fighter; but I'm also realistic and analytically sound. I like a good battle and I also like to win. But I don't care for feel-good rants with no results, that's not a winning combo.  But what could be great are plans, solutions and sensible ideas. You win when you start and finish. How about some of these activists lay out a plan to win for once.

Gay Activists protest for Bradley Manning

My personal opinion... They are on the wrong side of this

I Fight so They can do This...

This is what it sounds like, when Gay Activists Cry

One of my final posts on Chick-Fil-A is in Bilerico Project. In that post, I said that we got lost in the messaging, therefore losing control over the whole Chick-Fil-A affair.

There were mixed responses, some agreed and disagreed with me. And that's fine, but one response kind a rubbed me the wrong way.

Some activist said:

However, I simply feel that people with access to popular blogs should maybe think twice before they disparage the actions of others in the community. Offer your OPINION, of course (and state it as such), but please do not dismiss the work of others from your keyboard. Do you have any ideas? TELL US, but blatantly criticizing the work of activists is incredibly dispiriting to those of us on the streets.

I was nice in my response on BP, but on my own blog I'm going to give real talk. If she thought I was harsh and disparaging, then I have to question her activism. What I said was minor compared to what other bloggers said about the CFA debacle.

I pointed out how we got lost, but at the same time celebrated our success in bringing attention to CFA's messy actions. But that was too much or in her words, incredibly dispiriting to those of us on the streets.

Child please, if I broke your spirit, then you're not ready. My feedback and criticism was meant for us to think closely about our actions. Where did she get this hook-ripping review I supposedly wrote? The funny thing is, this isn't the first time certain activists get all weak and whiny. I've seen many times how some activists complain about others' views of them. Well, I have this to say... Get over it.

This is a battle and if you can't handle criticism, feedback or real talk, then get out of the way and let the real bitches walk the floor. The haters will always attack us with everything they got. We have to be tougher, but also wiser; and when we get feedback or real talk... F**king listen to it! Don't hate on it or come down on it. Just listen, who knows it could be helpful.

My goodness, sometimes I truly worry about our movement. But I guess that's what keep things interesting, right?

Activists are mad at President Obama for not signing Anti-Discrimination Executive Order - WATCH

We get it. They're mad. However, they are doing a lot of assuming and speculating. Tico wants to believe it's political, but if it was, why is he so surprised. It gets me how activists are so surprised at the game of politics.

They come off so naive about the process. And speaking on the process, they are not looking at the bigger picture. As I have said before, executive orders are quick fixes. They do not erase or kill a situation. EOs are like hair dye. They cover up and change the look, but in time the real look or deal returns. Let Obama's administration do this the right way, through ENDA. I'm tired of activists seeing and reacting in short term stances. Get off your asses and ensure that ENDA passes with flying colors.

And stop going on every talk show to bitch. Use that energy to bitch at the federal contractors and lawmakers. For once, activists... Be activists.

The DOs and DON'Ts on being a Gay Activist

This gay activist stuff is no joke. I had no idea what I was getting into; but I can't complain, it's been an interesting experience. Free trips, meeting great folks and getting great opportunities, it's truly been rewarding.

But I thought I would share some nuggets of info for those who are thinking about getting into the activist game.

DO know where you stand on the issues and stand firm.
DON'T just follow other activists blindly, they can and will be wrong at times.
DO research all causes, laws and lawmakers.
DON'T accept any word, without proof of truth.
DO realize that your views may not be popular.
DON'T kiss ass to be popular. Many activists try anything to get the attention of the JoeMyGods out there. Just be yourself and stand firm with your beliefs.
DO know the gay right fight is long and tedious.
DON'T think our civil rights can completed in a presidential term.
DO know the political game.
DON'T be naive about politics.
DO know how to be strategic.
DON'T go all in without plan B & C.
DO know who and what your fighting.
DON'T fight everyone and every battle.
DO have an open mind.
DON'T suffer from tunnel vision and group think.
DO remember it's about our community.
DON'T make it all about you.

Okay, that's my 3 cents.

Gay Activists Heckled Newt "the Hut" Gingrich - WATCH

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Barney Frank on LGBT Activists And Bloggers

Barney Frank always have a lot to say. But check out what he had to say about LGBT activists and their actions:

In general, the people who are complaining — well, what’s their remedy? They’re complaining, what do they want, sympathy? If they’re saying they wish we had more, I do too. Are they saying that’s a reason not to be supporting Barack Obama? That’s political suicide. The next president will probably appoint another Supreme Court justice or two. I don’t see how people can say, oh, we care about the lawsuit for Prop 8, we care about the DOMA lawsuit but let’s make sure that a homophobe will appoint the next Supreme Court justice.

(...)

And the answer is that it is suicidal and dumb and self-defeating. Plus, you focus much too much on this. They are a very small percentage of our community and I think that’s a tendency, whether you’re in the media or whether they blog. That is a very small percentage of the community. Do you think most transgender people – Diego would know better than you or I – What do most transgender people in Massachusetts think about the bill?

Please go here to read the rest of this article. It's pretty good.

Ugandan Gay Activists Launch a New LGBT Campaign

Gay activists have gathered together to start a new LGBT campaign in Uganda. It's called The Hate No More Campaign and it's lead by the Freedom and Roam Uganda (Farug) and the Uganda Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law (UCSCHRCL).

Here's more:

Activist Kasha Jacqueline, the Farug Director said the campaign will call on all Ugandans to protect the rights of homosexuals and promote sexual diversity.

“This is a four month long national campaign and will involve us engaging civil society, political leaders, religious leaders, and the general public in asserting our voices against psychological and physical hate against those who we perceive to be different from us. It will therefore start with a press conference Wednesday. Come and join us in raising our voices against hate,” Mr Geoffrey Ogwaro, an officer with the UCSCHRCL, the co-organisers of the campaign said.

This campaign hopes to effectively confront hatred and discrimination against the gays in Uganda.

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In Mexico: A Gay Activist may have been Assassinated

LGBT Asylum News reports that gay activist Leija Herrera was stoned to death, many believe that it was an act of assassination.

Leija Herrera, was the director of del Centro de Estudios y Proyectos para el Desarrollo Humano Inegral (CEPRODEHI, Center for Studies and Human Development Projects Inegral) and had participated in demonstrations, lobbied for civil unions and reported killings, discrimination and attacks against lesbians, gays and transgender people to the State's Attorney General.

His body was discovered Wednesday 4 May in the centre of the city covered in bruises, apparently caused by stones. Authorities suggested he may have been stoned to death.

Local activists have organised a petition to the State Govenor, Angel Aguirre.

It says that there is a "widespread climate of harassment and criminalization of the work of defenders of human rights in Mexico and the cruelty and brutality of the murder presents evidence of a homophobic hate crime."

The petition demands a prompt, independent, comprehensive, effective and impartial investigation into murder, an end to all forms of harassment against LGBT people and respect for international human rights and the work of advocates in Mexico. 

My heart goes on to the family and friends of Leija. The petition is here

Madness at LGBT rights activist David Kato's funeral

At David's funeral, a pastor start his sermon by attacking gay people, telling David's friends and supporters that homosexuality is wrong. This angered David's friends, but the pastor continued...

"People are turning away from the scriptures. They should turn back, they should abandon what they are doing. You cannot start admiring a fellow man."
Gay activists, wearing T-shirts featuring Kato's face with sleeves coloured with the gay pride flag, then stormed the pulpit and grabbed the microphone.


"It is ungodly," the pastor shouted, before being blocked from sight.


"ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE US"


An unidentified female activist then began to shout from the pulpit.


"Who are you to judge others?" she shouted. "We have not come to fight. You are not the judge of us. As long as he's gone to God his creator, who are we to judge Kato?"


Locals intervened on the side of the pastor and scuffles broke out before he was taken away to Kato's father's house to calm the situation.


Villagers then refused to bury the body at which point a group of Kato's friends, most of whom were gay, carried his coffin to the grave and buried it themselves.

It is horrible to read this. David should have been given the respect he deserves in death, and yet foolishness and hate won't allow him peace. I am happy that his friends were there fighting for him. I hope their actions continue to send Uganda a strong message about the LGBT struggle.

Rest in Peace, David. Your work will not be in vain.


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Listen to Confused Gays on why they voted Republican

The funny thing about this mess, is Michaelangelo Signorile. He and some gay activists has led the Anti-Obama/Dems movement for almost 2 years. It's interesting that he acts surprised by this.

In some ways, Michaelangelo and those bloggers/activists are to blame for stirring this foolish and misguided behavior.

Lt. Dan Choi speaks about DADT and how Gay Folks feels about him

Interesting