question for DU GLBT community

Given the recent Snickers ad and the attitude here which has aggravated me greatly to say the least, I have been doing some thinking.

What can I, as a straight person, do to actively help in this struggle for civil rights? I do not see voting for a certain party as doing anything to advance equal rights at this time, much as it does little for minorities. I am beginning to feel that simply saying I am for something is not enough. Things are getting worse, not better, and sitting on my ass and lending my vocal support is starting to make me feel like a blind accomplice in the bigotry and hatred that I feel history will judge harshly.

Give me some suggestions. And feel free to be blunt. As an outspoken critic of a certain race that continues to subjugate minorities, I appreciate harsh examination. I make no argument that I am part of the group that denies fundamental rights to a sizeable portion of society, and to this point have done little that is tangible to change that. My hope is to correct this.

But I welcome another straight person to the fight for equality. Thanks.

verbal support and fighting for something are very far apart. I would like to get active in some way.

comes up for a vote. Join or start a GLBT local organization.

Some of the legislation I'd like to see pass would be adding the GLBT community to non-discrimination legislation. This, for me, would be a start.

is there a registry for these groups? are there watchdog sites that track such legislation? I do, of course, oppose all legislation and would vote against it. i feel there is more that can be done, like maybe getting legislation put in place that actually advances rights instead of attempting to just delay erosion of rights. are there groups working toward this goal that I can get involved in in some way?

www.hrc.org

Like I was saying above, if the GLBT community were to be added to Federal legislation that makes it crime to discriminate, that would be a good start.

that looks to be a good start to actually doing something.

is to call people out on their bigotry and homophobia. I don't allow ANYONE to make homophobic jokes or statements around me without letting them have it. This includes family and friends.

however, these are not the people that are holding up rights. it is the larger silent majority that is the biggest obstacle. if all Democrats supported equal rights, it could be a reality tomorrow. it is as simple as that.

do even 3/4 of us support this? i question that loudly.

But I play one on TV.. I kid I kid.

But seriously, talking to other people is one way. For example, over this past weekend my buddy brought over his new g/f and while we were all talking the subject of marriage came up and she started on the "civil union" meme. I explained to her that although it is good she thinks a union recognized by the state or whatever is good, it isn't the point. I pointed out that everybody should be able to get married the same as anyone else is and that by denying our citizens the same rights of others is just plain wrong. At least she said she understood where I was coming from and maybe it opened her mind to it more. Who knows? But it is that kind of thing that I think helps. I have had that same discussion with others and I think that if you can open the minds up to people who basically just join in the with the crowd, then you are helping.

One thing that pisses me off is that I get those machines that call my house and go on about the sanctity of marriage and blah blah blah. First off, why do they call me and secondly, why do they use a machine. Don't those fuckers have the balls to call people and speak to them directly?

Anyway, I just thought I would add to the conversation by saying that I do talk to people about equal rights and if you do it without attacking, most of them will listen and not attack back.

just keep your eyes and ears open to issues that affect the GLBT community and if you feel it's an issue you want to involve yourself in, then do it.

That's all anyone can ask for any issue. :hi:

I see these issues as losing at the state level regularly (amendments that attempt to define and restrict marriage). Rights are being eroded at an alarming rate. What is the general mindset in the community? From my perspective, it looks to be grim and desperate, and I do not see enough posting here calling attention to this. At election time, there are posts and criticisms and much vocal gnashing of teeth, and then it seems to stop...while "more important" issues dominate. As a minority, this pattern is all too familiar. I, for one, would like to see a more organized, aggresive campaign. Does this exist? It is very hard to get a sense of the struggle, as media coverage is limited.

Rights are being eroded and the mindset is mixed. Some want to fight to the end, some get involved only when it overtly affects them and some don't care. It can be frustrating.

But there are organizations that do fight and keep these issues in the forefront. Two groups that come to mind are People For The American Way and Human Rights Campaign. Both are very active in this area, but the HRC is exclusively GLBT. Check 'em out.

In no particular order,

1. If you are financially able, contribute to gay rights organizations wikipedia has a list to get you started
2. Join a gay rights organization (put your name out there)
3. Participate with a gay rights organization (show up to meetings, stuff envelopes, make phone calls, send email, pour coffee, make friends (great benefit, btw))
4. Educate, educate, educate (if you have children, good place to start. then their friends. Your friends. Co-workers. Family (a bit of a mine field here depending on your family)
5. Write letters to the editor intended to educate.
6. Track legislation specific to gay rights and 'lobby' your legislators (phone calls, letters, email, etc.).
7. Educate and 'lobby' your local elected officials.
8. When you hear someone say something which is obviously gay hatred; address it rather than giving tacit approval through silence.
9. 'Listen' to your own language and thoughts about gay issues and people who are gay. Examine them. Sometimes painful and difficult at first; it gets easier as you do it more often :D
10. Know the opposition. Many of the groups who fight gay rights have common sources for their methods. It helps you to recognize when one of 'them' has entered the fray, yet again.
11. Remember to take care of yourself and have fun while doing any of the above or you'll burn out or become so cynical you'll impair your effectiveness.

Now the requisite disclaimer: I am hetero ('straight' implies that the opposite is 'bent' and I don't consider gays to be 'bent') These are some of the things I do and have done and which have been effective for me.

edit to add: I don't mean do it all, pick one or two or three and focus. I tried to give a broad list with varying degrees of effort involved.

Join a state wide group for equality. If there is one in your state there are probably chapters close to you, go to the meetings and get involved in your state government with them. If there is not a state group then find people who feel as you do and start one. We did. I am straight and had never done anything like this in my life. The already established GLBT groups in our state got together and formed a steering committee that I found myself on and now we have a state wide board with chapters covering the state. You would be surprised how much clout you have when you present your needs, wants and desires to your legislators if you have a group behind you. We even have a lobbyist now and it has helped us stop everything bad in committee. Do it, you will never be sorry you did. You might be real busy but never sorry plus you will make some wonderful friends. It is all good.

it is a good start.

Allies are very important. Find your place and make it your issue too, after all it really is everyone's issue.

Good for you and welcome to the fight.