Headlines in the last week have been dominated by news about Indiana’s new anti-LGBT law. While the law — and similar efforts growing in states across the country, seemingly spurred by the rapid pace of the marriage-equality movement — is a stain on our country’s progress, the news it is generating is a boon for LGBT equality.
The last time an LGBT topic drew such prolonged mainstream attention was perhaps the passage of Proposition 8, the California ballot initiative that banned same-sex marriage in that state. That is largely considered a turning point in the LGBT-rights fight — and hopefully the fervor being created by the latest wave of anti-LGBT actions will also be looked back upon as a rallying point for equality.
The law in Indiana signifies the education and awareness-building that need to be done on both micro and macro levels to combat the misunderstanding propagated by lingering institutionalized homophobia. However, the national outcry signifies that many are ready for that process to start.
On an individual level, musicians and comedians cancelled appearances in Indiana. On the corporate side, companies like Angie’s List took the bold step to halt planned expansion into the state, and other companies — international giants like Apple and Microsoft — signed on to a statement condemning the legislation and urging lawmakers across the country to defeat such measures. Organizers of large-scale conventions, some of which could have infused the state with tens of millions of dollars, announced they’ll take their business elsewhere. Cities and states have banned government-funded travel to Indiana.
The response has cut across all sectors, largely fueled by allies. All of the people, businesses and government entities that have taken a stand on this discriminatory law have used their unique positions of power to raise awareness about LGBT discrimination and its effects — which, as we’re seeing, increasingly include loss of revenue and reputation. From rallying Twitter followers to stockholders to residents, the coalition that is fighting the Indiana law and similar measures is taking an important step in the next phase of the LGBT-rights movement.
The future of the movement has been thrown into sharp illumination in the past week: Allies play a key role in educating the masses on the realities of LGBT equality and inequality. Marriage is all but won but, without basic respect, legal rights lose much of their significance.