LGBT politics 101

Unfortunately, many so-called political leaders and journalists in our community seem to not understand the political system, but insist on commenting on it anyway. That alone would be OK, but when viewed by veteran politicos of the opposition (read: conservatives), it gives them the belief that we’ll never accomplish our goals. And gives them a roadmap to block our attempts at equality — especially if we are fighting each other. We need to start that dialogue internally.

The first step is making it clear what our priorities are. In the run up to the 2010 election, it was pretty clear: the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” with a minor on marriage equality, and that was blurred by which road to take — repeal of the infamous Defense of Marriage Act in Congress or through the courts. The latter was confused by various lawsuits and tactics: the California Proposition 8 case working its way through the courts, the lawsuit brought by the Massachusetts Attorney General or pressuring the U.S. Attorney General to stop supporting DOMA.

That last one gives a major political clue. DOMA is by far the hardest fight we have on our hands. There’s an old line that comes to mind here: Choose your battles carefully. Additionally, we need a strategy. But stating a strategy means leadership and, in that regard, our community seems to be lost between those who know how to work the system but are afraid to offend the other camp. That other camp’s stance is that we deserve equality now and demand it, but have little knowledge of the political system and are willing to attack the other side. Of course, both sides take credit for the repeal of the military ban. The reality was that it was using the political system that got it done, and fast maneuvering by the administration that won the day.

So what’s next on our road to equality? Again, we are all over the map. Here’s the simple fact. Marriage equality, no matter what we do, will be won in the courts.It will eventually be won or lost in the Supreme Court. You can support that fight by supporting the organizations that understand that system, namely Lambda Legal and American Foundation for Equal Rights. But it’s not an in-the-streets, chaining-yourself act. So masses here won’t help move that along. It will move at its own speed and, honestly, do we want to go before this court?

The answer lies with those who know the system. Asking a politician who has to run for office his or her position is a waste of a question and time — both theirs and ours. Unless you’re in a state or city that has lots of education on the issue, such as California, Massachusetts and New York, you’ll get the safe answer. Is there anyone in the LGBT community who cannot state the position of any Democratic or Republican presidentidal candidate on this subject? It’s a no-brainer. That alone tells us how far the issue will go in the political world now. Which battle do we choose?

That’s a really simple question born out of history and a proven path. Though we toss the word around, it needs some respect and leadership: nondiscrimination. A majority of the sexual-minority community nationally does not even have the simplest of basic human rights. They can be fired simply for being LGBT. They can be denied housing, public accommodations in restaurants and hotels. The road to change is two-fold: Fight it on a state-by-state level or federally by amending the Civil Rights Act, adding sexual orientation and gender identity. It has already been introduced before and, at one time, lost by just one vote in the Senate. Is it possible with a Republican Congress? Yes. But it takes leadership to voice the need to protect LGBT Americans living in places like Alabama, Florida and Texas. Yes, LGBT people living in red states deserve equality too. The issue calls for a leader(s) to be clear and a strategy for equality.

Mark Segal is PGN publisher. He is the nation’s most-award-winning commentator in LGBT media, having recently received the 2010 Columnist of the Year Award from the 2,000-member Suburban Newspapers of America. He can be reached at [email protected].

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