Subscribe to Breaking NewsBesen: Drop the Washington Crack Pipe
I understand the magnetic allure of Washington, DC. I worked there for several years and it could, at times, be mesmerizing. I’ve attended press conferences on the steps of Capitol Hill with Ted Kennedy and marveled that I was standing next to the real icon, not a replica from Madame Tussauds wax museum. I have stood only a stone’s throw from President Clinton, as he greeted foreign dignitaries on the White House lawn. (I might have actually thrown the stones at Bush)
It makes one feel, well, important.
From a media perspective, there is also nothing like being swept into the tidal wave of presidential politics. Last year, I made national news by slamming candidate Barack Obama for sponsoring a South Carolina gospel tour featuring “ex-gay” singer Donnie McClurkin. My second foray into the spotlight involved Sarah Palin’s church promotion of an “ex-gay” conference in Anchorage.
Getting thrust into the national storyline means hundreds of news stories that feature your name and the bright lights of television. Of course, such massive media hits are important and serve a larger purpose. But, the downside is our movement can become intoxicated with Washington at the expense of broader issues.
Let me be clear, it is crucial that the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender movement have a strong voice in Washington. It is vital that we support our national lobby groups. Solutions at the federal level are often preferable because they apply to conservative states where it may take decades to achieve equality.
Still, this past week underscored how the gay movement’s engagement with Washington has become an unhealthy obsession. I have seen hundreds of articles and e-mails with people opining on Obama, the Democrats and the gay movement. (I’m as guilty as anyone else. Indeed, my column last week was about the administration’s timidity on gay issues)
It seems every person wants to be the star of Meet the Press, every activist is now Chris Matthews and we are all experts at political chess, prattling endlessly in the cyber salon about the machinations of the administration. Everyone with a computer is now a master strategist and can regurgitate the records of previously obscure members of Congress.
Political discourse has become an aphrodisiac that has seduced our community away from equally important issues. Perhaps it is time we go into rehab and free ourselves from the Washington crack pipe. It is a cheap high that rarely lasts and often leaves us broke and unsatisfied.
We all wanted King Obama to sweep into office, wave his magic wand and make discrimination disappear. I really wish he would, but it is clear that he won’t – or at least not as quick as we desire. So, why don’t we pry ourselves away from DC for a moment and try using our resources in alternative ways?
Anyone remember AIDS?
Ever hear of the multi-million dollar ex-gay industry that pumps out reams of propaganda to portray gay people as sick and “sexually broken?” Few people seem to notice, even though these groups spread harmful myths and poisonous stereotypes that impact our daily lives.
What about increasing funds to help GLBT youths who are thrown out of their homes? Or, scholarships, so these teens can succeed in life and maybe one day run for Congress?
How about focusing on the abuses against GLBT people overseas?
The aforementioned issues will not get you on a Congressman’s speed dial. It is unlikely that you will win a sparkling trophy or have a marble bust made of your head. The cable shows may not be dialing you at a frenzied pace. But, you might have a disproportionately positive impact and even save a few lives.
The other problem with our political addiction is that it breeds bad messaging. We are coming across as a powerful lobby that is demanding action as payback for money and votes. While there is a place for such muscle flexing, it masks our true agenda.
The immediacy of our cause has to do with the trauma we all faced as children. Now that we are strong, we don’t want one more GLBT teen to commit suicide while Congress dithers. It is unconscionable for another youth who dreams of serving his or her country to be turned away while Obama plots his reelection. It is an insult – right down to the core of our soul – when our government tells us that we can’t marry the person we love.
Our movement is not about Obama’s career, nor the happenings in Congress. What we seek is to reclaim our basic dignity and end needless suffering – both goals that one is unlikely to achieve solely in the glamorous quicksand of Washington.
While our fate in DC hangs in the balance, how about returning some balance to the GLBT movement by ending our fatalistic fixation on all-things political?
Many of us who are working at the state and local level are doing exactly what you are advocating. We sometimes do it quietly out of the glare of the Washington spotlight, but we are there and are not giving up. Because of our less visible work,there is progress in being made in some very unlikely places that will help to move the national agenda along.
I honestly think there was too much hype, and too much to do with this past presidential election. The message of change played well on weary ears, but it wasn’t a completely honest promise. You can’t change the U.S. federal system. At best you can change how it is used, but that doesn’t get you nearly as far as a lot of people were hoping.
The local level is a far more fertile ground for us to work, and the more progress we make at the local level the easier it is to apply pressure on the federal level.
While I normally love your insight and wisdom, and have contributed to your foundation, I have to say that I couldn’t disagree with you more. You state, “The immediacy of our cause has to do with the trauma we all faced as children.” What utter bullsh*t!!!!!
Let me tell you exactly why there is an immediacy to my activism today. I demand equality today because I am a gay father whose children are more at risk by the current discriminatory policies of this country. I demand equality today because the “extra” taxes I pay because I am gay is money that takes away from insuring my husband and children’s future. I demand changes today because in the event something happens to me or my husband, we are not covered by each others social security though we each have paid our fair share and this void leaves our family at risk. I demand change today because should someone in my family get sick, I don’t want to be another statistic that is prohibited from being by my loved ones side in their time of need. I demand fairness in inheritance so that I know should I die, my husband will be able to actually afford to keep the home we’ve built together. More importantly, if I do not act out today for my rights, what message am I sending my impressionable daughters when someone tries to walk over them and their rights? Speaking and acting out today for the injustices and discrimination we face on a daily basis is not about retribution for being beat up in school or disowned from my family, or disenfrachised from my church – it is about doing what is right, seeking justice and equality.
Scholarships are great for the future, we should help our own. We should be helping the younger generation, the at risk, those who are in places that are even worse than what we face. But you’ve fallen prey to the new fad that claims we can only do “one thing at a time”. This is completely ridiculous. We should continue to march, scream, demand our equality and justice until we have it. If you look at the civil rights movement of the 50-60’s they were continually marching, protesting, and advocating for equality. They refused to continue to sit at the back of the bus and so should we. The gay leadership has been passive as has our community for far too long. I am not sorry that our advocacy makes other uncomfortable, we’ve all see over the last 40 years that simply talking to our opponents does us little. We all saw the tragic results of Prop 8 because the gay leadership refused to show us as we are in all of our diversity. You mention AIDS – did you forget that it was only through the marches and demands of the gay community that we eventually got the attention that we needed but only after nearly a decade of gay men were desimated? Hate crimes towards gays are on the rise again and you’d have us calm down and be quiet? I am disappointed in you as I thought you advocated truth winning out?
I have to agree with Michael W. This is a bizarre column from a gay activist. Let me get this straight: we are supposed to quit fixating on thing political? Oh dear, I suppose we can go back to being frivolous and then line up quietly when the paddy wagons come for us as we did before Stonewall. With activists giving advice like this, we don’t need any enemies.
Michael just because your immediacy comes from some place other than Besen’s doesnt mean you have to call his opinion bullshit. Not everyone has a husband and children. Not everyone is being dismissed from the armed forces. Not all of us are going through the exact same thing at the exact same time. But these are all our issues and we cant preach tolerance and respect and then not show it to people in our own community just because their immediacy differs from yours.
Michael W and Jay… you both totally missed the point and worse you put words into the author’s mouth.
Michael I appreciate that you are passionate. But really, your post comes off as a diatribe against Besen over “disagreements” you manufactured for him.
I don’t agree that we need to focus on other issues at this time. We are and have been focused on many other issues and we’re no better off. It’s time for Gay Americans to unite, stay focused on and in Washington and hold elected politicians feet to the fire for our civil rights. Our time is now.
I have to agree with Besen. The vitriol that’s spewed on this website and others from the LGBT community just shows we need a break from the horrible negativity surrounding the political sphere right now. It’s making everyone desperate and vicious. Maybe if we stop focusing so narrowly on what Obama and Congress are doing (or not doing), and instead discuss and take action on issues we can directly affect, we’ll be a little happier as people.
Strike while the iron is hot.
It is very difficult to motivate the gay community (and straight community for that matter) in general to care about anything other that what appears to directly affect their lives.
We need all of the work that Besen mentions plus the active work that he’s speaking out against. Work at all levels including in our nation’s (and state’s) capitols and courts. At work, at home, with friends.
The only way we’re gonna win it to motivate our community to take part in the movement in the way that best motivates them. We’re a diverse community and people have different motivating factors. Whatever gets people out of the bars, off the couch, or whatever else has been distracting our community for so long, is a benefit to the movement as a whole.
What I’ve been seeing over the last few years is more of our community engaging more people from within and outside our community to step up and take action and make a difference. People are motivated at the grass roots level like never before. Real change is on the march for our community.
The negativity and infighting only serves to divide us, slow us and make us look bitter and ultimately isn’t necessary. There is room at the activist table for all comers.
Let’s not turn each other away with conversations like this. We need each and every person in this long march to freedom from oppression and bigotry.
There really isn’t any reason why we can’t do it all, all at the same time. Frankly, having activists in every state, in every city, in every company, and in every organization has allowed us to make dramatic advances that are the envy of every other movement.
While there is a media obsession with the federal legislaiton, we continue to take big steps forward in state after state, on issue after issue. Some states are lagging far behind, and they tend to have Congressional representaiton that holds us back in the Congress, but the gains everywhere contribute to the public perceptions in even the least progressive states.
So we keep plugging away, in and out of the limelight, changing culture and laws. Step by step, measure by measure. We make plans and see them through. And we are winning.
HAVEN’T YOU LEARNED WHAT GOES ON IN WASHINGTON AMONG OUR SUPREMELY ELECTED OFFICIALS? WITH LITERALLY A HANDFUL OF EXCEPTIONS, THEY ARE WELL ACCLIMATED DRUNKS WITH DOING A SIDE KICK CALLED “SERVING THE PEOPLE.” CAN YOU IMAGINE, FOR A MOMENT HOW MANY OF OUR CONGRESSPERSONS ARE DOPED UP ON PROZAC [YES, THAT'S THE RIGHT TERM], OTHER SSRI DRUGS, ANTI APPETITE PILLS AND AMPHETAMINES, SLEEPING PILLS, ETC…. WE HAVE A BUNCH OF LEGALIZED DRUG ADDICTS WHO ACCEPT BRIBES TO CARRY OUT FEDERAL LEGISLATION FUNCTIONS – THAT IS WHAT OUR GOVERNMENT IS; TOTALLY DYSFUNCTIONAL, IN EVERY POSSIBLE SENSE. UNFORTUNATELY, MOST OF MY GAY FRIENDS ARE ALSO FUNCTIONAL ALCOHOLICS, SO THEY RARELY UNDERSTAND THIS POINT IN ANY SIGNIFICANT WAY. THE GAY COMMUNITY IS DROWNING IN A SEA OF BOOZE.
Thankyou ever so much “Wayne Besen” for this informative and sincere article. I find myself after years of being an activist, now motivational speaker. I speak at graduation ceremonies for LGBT youth’s , and i have conducted workshops for LGBT Youth’s. And as I tour sometimes with the film/documentary : How Do I Look”. I do lectures with the screenings. My main focus is to promote Health and Well-being. I speak about HIV/AIDS my many friends that I have lost ;which are well over 400 persons. I represent the Harlem Ball Community as well as the NYC Black Gay Club Circuit. I am forever trying to reach the youth’s on issues of Health, Well-being and education. In regards to HIV/AIDS I stress the importance of getting tested and follow up; So I am into the awareness, prevention and education. As well as I stress EDUCATION being everything to the Youth’s. There are many programs in NY such as :”Safe Space” and the “GMHC House of Latex Project” that does wonderful work with the Youth’s. Agencies such as the “Door, Hetick Martin High School” etc;. I love when people of political power and or who has the power to support and create empowerment programs that can help the Communities at large. I have been traveling with the film/doc. “How do I Look” since 2006, traveling across the USA, I do this without any funding. And it’s difficult but However, I do the best that I can. We, me and the Director have received so many letters of support but can’t seem to get any funding for a film/doc. that is an educational and supportive tool for many of the LGBT Youth’s. So after reading your article ; all that I can say is :Thankyou”. I wish things weren’t so political and filled with bureacracy. We need support and we need it now……
NO OTHER ISUUE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN OUR EQUALITY, PERIOD.
This man has no soul, like a snake oil salesman offering the latest cure to the masses, he plays on what we want to believe, not what he has promised, and not on what he plans to do to achieve those promises.
Therefore, our fate is in OUR HANDS, we need to make the CHANGE ourselves. Think back to the 80’s when Washington was ignoring the AIDS crisis, we made them increase funding for treatment and care of people living with AIDS.
The politicians will do what is best for THEM, not us, never forget that.
The other day when we had that poll question on whether the age divide was helping or hurting the cause, I was conflicted. I feel that the older, “wiser” sages who once were gay activists, like Besen, are hurting our community because these wise old men believe that they know all. I also feel that the younger, less “patient” generation have done alot to move our movement forward. Many of these younger folks never knew who Harvey Milk was and in fact many of them don’t need to, because they push for equality everyday in every part of their lives. In a few years from now, no one will know or care who Wayne Besen is or was, for that matter nor will they care who I am. Our movement is a just movement, it’s international, interracial, trans-religious, federal, state, provincial local, parish wide and we need to keep progressing ahead everywhere on the streets and corridors of Washington down to the mainstreets of our home towns. Just because Washington DC was a crackden for Wayne Besen, doesn’t mean we should give up and regress. Our movement has exhausted the state by state strategy, it’s time to focus on the federal. Why the federal? Because gay kids are being beaten up in the schools of Alabama, Utah, Louisiana. Gay and lesbian workers are losing their jobs in MOST states and many don’t have any legal recourse, because discrimination is legal. Many gay kids from small towns will never have the options to go to college or leave their local towns, without going into the armed forces. The GI Bill pays for many people’s college tuition, and a military career helps many lower and working poor class gay kids have a chance in life. And since the army is federal, it’s important to deal with these kinds of issues in the cesspool of idiocy known as Washington.