Our community is about to undergo what I hope will be a period of growth as we climb the political ladder. It will also test each of us, especially those who are politically involved and the progressives who have led the charge over the last few years. The question that’s going to be asked is: do we go with ideology or pragmatism? Will people go with what is pragmatic or go with what might seem to be popular at that moment?
We will be tested in more ways than one, since there will be numerous LGBT candidates in numerous races over the next two years, and each one of those will create a torrent of debate within the community. Races for Senator, State Representative and City Council (both at-large and district races) will pit members of the LGBT community against each other and in some cases LGBT candidates going up against longtime allies. One good sign is the fact that we have a variety of pro-LGBT choices. That shows how far we have already come.
This is something I know well, I’ve been making these decisions for over 50 years. Let me give you a few reminders which might guide you. The most famous of these was when I endorsed John Street, who was considered the most homophobic elected official in the city at the time. The LGBT community hated me for that, and I felt it. But it was something I believed in, and in a way I knew I could change the city by doing so. Mayor John Street became the most progressive mayor on our issues until Jim Kenney walked into the office. When tea party Governor Tom Corbett stated the most outrageous statements about our community, I continued an open line of dialogue and worked with Corbett staff. That contributed to Pennsylvania’s LGBT community getting the legal right to marry a whole year before the Supreme Court ruling. And then there was the time that we had two LGBT members running for City Council. While I supported both, I worked hard for the less popular one, and she came within a whisper of winning while the other more popular in the community was out of the running.
Doing the right or pragmatic step may not be popular but it very well could achieve the progress we hope for. It’s that same old political issue: ideology vs. pragmatic politics. We’ve come a long way since I’ve had to make those decisions, and today, with whatever candidate I back on any of these races, I won’t be alone. The point here is simple, we can grow if we respect each person’s choices and discuss what leads us to them.
So let me give a few of the points I’ve learned along the way, and hopefully be of assistance. Don’t let anyone push you in making a decision, and be sure your decision is one you can live with. On that note, don’t jump to a conclusion without doing your research. Don’t judge just one interview or event, but try to see a pattern. Don’t be judgmental; take time to think it out. Expect the race to change; the candidate list might look different at the end then at the beginning. Campaigns are long and at times brutal. When the community splits on candidates, remember that only one person can win. Take the time to debate the issues with those who might feel differently. Don’t put yourself in a position that you can’t work with either the winner or the loser in the future. We need to all work together to further our community.
It is at times like this that we begin to grow. We will get through this. The most important word I can pass onto you is: listen.