It used to be GLBT Pride (Gay, Lesbian, Bi, and Trans) but lately I haven't been feeling the love from the G and the L (probably too much love from the B..but anyway). It is been blogged to death about the ENDA and the removal of gender identity by Barney (openly gay) Frank (D MA) so that a version could pass that included sexual orientation. So I won't get into that mess right now.
What I will get into is the reaction to the reaction of Transfolks by Gay and Lesbian bloggers. Lots of support has been shown, and lots of national and local groups with held support for the non-trans version of the bill (hooray!). But, what I hear from friends and have read online leads me to believe that the support for trans people isn't really there. That is, gay folks seem more than happy to toss me and mine overboard so they can get theirs.
"Well, they don't have a place in the movement anyway"
"They need to get their panties untwisted"
"Drag Queens are the worst part of the gay movement"
"Maybe we should have two movements one for 'normal gays' and one for the trannies and queers"
Just a few things I have heard or read posted about.
Unfortunately, the Gay Movement IS the Trans Movement. Remember Stonewall? You know the proverbial "spark" that defined the modern movement. That was a bunch of Drag Queens who were not white, not wealthy, and not "straight acting". The Homophile movement was happening at the same time using the old "we are just like you" approach (the one that ultimately seems to have worked). It was, however, a bunch of DQs, Trannies, Butch Dykes, hookers, sissies, and gender variant people who got pissed and started a riot. This got the nation's attention and got the dialogue started in living rooms across the country. A bunch of gay guys and femmed up lesbians picketing the White House wasn't doing it.
Even further back, it was the "obviously gay/lesbian" (read non-gender conforming) person who was leading the charge for equality - because they HAD TO.
So, remember the next time you want to grumble about how bad it is that the DQs get the news cameras, or those uppity trannies are trying to ruin it all by pushing their selfish agenda. It was the uppity trannies and the flashy DQs who made it so you could gather in your cute gay bar and not have to pay the Mafia for the privilege. So, yeah.. lets put the "T" back.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
2 comments:
Having just watched Out and Proud in Chicago, there was live coverage of the broadcast at Sidebar and folks all over Boys Town celebrated.
Most of the show was dedicated to gay success except this one short segment preceded by the comment that despite having originated the rights movement for gays and lesbians, transgender people are still marginalized today within the movement itself.
I will say nothing other than to add that some people take themselves entirely too seriously. If I say anything more it might turn into a 5 or 6 page rant.
Post a Comment