Are all Struggles Created Equal? - San Francisco November 12, 2008
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On November 4, 2008, I arrived at a San Francisco election party just in time to capture the unveiling of our new President. It felt like New Year’s Eve except the euphoria was not coming from watching a clock change numbers, but from witnessing our country elect a leader who — for many people — embodies the idea of change itself. I wanted to capture the moment as folks in my community watched the results of the most historic Presidential election of our lives, and, because of one California proposition, one of the most personal.
In the week that has passed since our simultaneous win and loss (Barack Obama and Proposition 8, respectively), we’ve seen protests in the streets and legal action in the courts regarding what some 48% of Californians believe to be a civil rights issue. It is unclear at this time what the passing of this legislation means exactly for those gay couples who recently wed. Either way, there are some people who are upset with the way mainstream media was quick to identify (vilify?) organized religion and African-American voters as the deciding factor in the passing of this proposition.
One SF friend had this to share:
“I have been trying to articulate some of the discomfort I have been feeling not only at the passing of Prop 8, but at the emphasis on this proposition above all others and the blaming of its passage on groups that have been historically disenfranchised and the hateful speech against Mormons, in particular. I, too, feel pained that money and religion can sway so many votes that a state Constitution could be changed. However, it is important to focus our attention not on attacking, but continuing to organize, build more alliances and, as cheesy as it sounds, to keep loving ourselves, our partners, our friends, our community, our neighbors.” - Shannon
I don’t blame individuals, but it’s hard not to feel disappointed when exit polls suggested that the African-American community at large did not choose to support gays in this struggle. Currently, I live in an African-American neighborhood and in the mail I received a Yes on 8 flyer with six African-American leaders quoted as saying that Proposition 8 should not be related to the black civil rights movement. I can’t help but speculate why a population that has recently made huge gains in civil rights doesn’t want to share the wealth. Is it because they are still far from leveling the playing field? Are gays being presumptuous to assert that all struggles are created equal? Or is this another case of media scapegoating?
Another SF friend had this to say:
“I believe all communities need to be held accountable for their homophobia and transphobia. I want to acknowledge the suffering and hardship that the passage of Proposition 8 has caused for LGBT couples and families. But, while the media casts blame on communities of color for the failure of civil rights for LGBT people, it is imperative that we struggle against the logic that tells us that struggles for LGBT civil rights and racial justice are separate, and that we examine our strategies for advancing LGBT civil rights and gay marriage and, in particular, look at places where LGBT communities have failed to align our struggles for civil rights with ongoing struggles for racial justice.” - Adele
While the conversation about the intersection of race, class, sexuality and gender will continue, the other hot topic concerns the legality of the popular vote being used to change the Constitution. The ACLU, Lambda Legal and the National Center for Lesbian Rights filed a writ petition before the California Supreme Court urging the court to invalidate Proposition 8 if it passes.
While we lost one battle on November 4, the LGBT civil rights movement is the strongest and loudest it has ever been. I urge you to take part in this fight by ending the polite silence. There is 52% of California that needs to hear your voice. Please stay alert to Equality Now’s website www.eqca.org for actions and petitions to fight Prop 8.
Alexa Shae
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