Apparently, 17 (unnamed) gay and lesbian orgs find it worth their time to advocate for our right to be advertised to.
Sure, sure, it’s a sign of broader social acceptance. But if the organizations in question take the time to comment on this, why can’t they take the time to comment on things that matter more, and might earn some allies, and maybe build a coallition. Say, labor rights, or health care. (this ties into that NGLTF Creating Change Conference inspired post that I still have hanging out in the wings. More on that later).
I think it is silly that people on either side get upset about who will and who won’t pay for advertisements in niche magazines. I don’t even read any GL niche magazines anymore.
Well, I will point out that you are HRC’s niche market. 😉 A successful, white gay male with a steady sweety.
HRC may view me as their niche, but I don’t view them as mine.
—–
After the Supreme Court legalized sodomy the rest of the struggle for queer “rights” is really a struggle for unconditional positive regard. Some people think that society should place a higher value upon being straight than upon being gay, whereas other people think society should place the same value upon a person or relationship regardless of whether it is straight or gay.
How does this struggle/debate affect me? My rate of sodomy was never affected by its purported illegality. My devotion to my lovers was never filtered through my society’s values. I came out to the world as soon as I came out to myself, and I adore my beloved gay men and lesbians.
I think the struggle for and against gay acceptance at large is mostly a waste of time on both sides. The important thing for each gay person is to learn to accept him or herself, regardless of what others might think. Accept yourself, love your friends, adore your intended mate(s), and live your life.
Personally, I don’t think minorities ever get true equality in the eyes and minds of society. There comes a point of diminishing returns when we spend energy trying to affect society’s views.
Yeah, I think the courts are a lousy place to be working on changing social perception.
Like many issues that confront our community I don’t think this has anything to do with the particular issue at hand (i.e., advertising). It has everything to do with the religious fundamentalists demonizing us and (successfully) scaring people into treating us like personas non grata (which of course Ford denies, but who really knows?).
Sure, there’s stigma. And I think an angry letter is appropriate. I just object to their priorities.
I’ve never been particularly convinced by “couldn’t you be working on more important issues?” arguments. We can’t all be solving hunger in the third world all the time.
The fact that 17 organizations took time to write a letter says very little about what they spend the other 99% of their time on or what their priorities are.
I can agree with what you’re saying. But I find noteworthy what notices I have received from the Human Rights Campaign, “America’s largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization.”
I never hear them talk about any health concern other than HIV, unless it’s connected with benefits for marriage.
The top 4 stories on their website are 1. Ford 2. Supreme Court case on military recruitment at law schools 3. Holiday Gift Memberships 4. A buyer’s guide (boycotting gay unfriendly establishments).
As a sidenote, Homos are too disunified to do an effective boycott, imho.
90% of the mailings I’ve gotten from their list are about gay marriage. I do not recall every getting an update from them on the subject of interests of the single, homeless, runaway, poor queers. Given that they’re working on behalf of a very broad constituency, they’re taking on a very narrow issue as their central mission.