GetEQUAL New Thing: We'll Give When We Get EQUAL

Here is a press release of their new initiative: 

GetEQUAL has launched a campaign called "We'll Give When We GetEQUAL," asking LGBT Americans and straight allies to withhold time and money from political entities that are not fighting as hard for our equality as they are for our checkbooks.


We're not the first ones to voice frustration with both Democrats and Republicans for holding our equality hostage (see here, here, and here). And we're not going away -- despite the efforts of Democratic apologists who continue to raise the specter of President Palin to scare us into donating.


Are we asking you not to vote? Absolutely not -- too many social movements have fought for that hard-earned right that must not be thrown away. Are we asking you not to donate or support pro-equality candidates? That's up to you -- there are several pro-equality candidates that need support, especially because they are minority voices in their party.


Are we asking you to withhold money and time from those who refuse to find concrete ways to work toward our collective equality? YES!


Our tolerance and patience -- while we lose our jobs, are denied our right to marry, are forbidden to serve our country openly, and are forced to watch our youth kill themselves because they have no dignity or hope -- is gone. We are asking you to withhold your support from political parties and committees until President Obama, the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, takes the first step toward LGBT equality and signs an Executive Order to IMMEDIATELY halt all military discharges of lesbian, gay, and bisexual soldiers.


Why continue to organize on behalf of politicians when we need to be organizing for ourselves?

My view: What is the plan for the money withheld? And if the Dems fail and we get the blame, how do we answer for that? We didn't get what WE wanted so, sorry for you? That could have huge setbacks for us.

Plus, it wouldn't have much of an impact. The DNC raised another record amount of money, $16 million bucks. And guess how, fundraisers by Obama and donations. I hate to say this, but jobs and the economy is taking center stage for most Americans. We have to recognize that. How about providing a list of the strong LGBT friendly candidates to help us make wise choices.

Withholding money is a strong message, but I think it has an impact as a whisper in a LV sale at Bloomingdales.

Interesting Quote: Joe Mirabella

$300 Million can do incredible damage to not only the Democratic Party, but to the LGBT community. The Republican Party remains viscerally opposed to equal rights for LGBTs. If you think sitting on your wallet is helpful to our community, you are simply wrong. I realize not every Democrat is perfect and some are downright wrong on our issues. This is why I urge the DNC to create an LGBT fund. Allow us to contribute to the DNC while knowing our money won't support candidates who do not support us. In the mean time, it is not time to hold back. We are too close to our goals to allow the Conservatives to take over. Don't misunderstand me, I remain frustrated that the progressive agenda is still just out of reach, but this is not the right time to turn off the gAyTM.

Joe is telling the truth.


source

What if: We actually stopped the "GAyTM"

Many gay activists are telling us to stop donating to the DNC and only support folks that truly support us.

So let's imagine we actually got fed up and stop giving money to the DNC.

The next question is, "What do we do with it?"

These same gay activists said to support the ones who support us, right? So would that be some or most of the members of Dems? Believe it or not, they are our allies, we don't have a stronger group elsewhere. Repubs could care less and the supposed 3rd party is on life support.

You can give it to a LGBT organization that supports our rights. Well, who would that be?
The EAA is falling apart and most groups lack the people power or direction. The next best thing is, well... the HRC. You may hate them, but they are closer to the White House/politicians and have tons of support. Apparently, not every LGBT person is done with them yet.

Start our own group? We could, but can we establish a clear leader, let alone a group that has a mission, a goal and a plan? So far, that's been the hump we can't get over. But it can be done!

And on a side note, do we know how much we are actually giving the DNC? If our numbers are not as big as the other minority groups, what impact would that make?

I'm not trying to be mean or difficult. I'm writing about this because, I care about the state of our community. However, I'm a realist and while it seems cute to withhold our money, we need to have a concrete plan.

I'm sorry this became a long speech, but I'm passionate about our future.