An Open letter about how everyone is missing the point
Greg Shaw's opinion piece in the Bay Guardian about the missing queer agenda in the progressive community has struck a deep nerve and many, including former Supervisor Matt Gonzalez, are missing the point of what Greg was trying to say. Queer progressives are demanding that straight progressives push for and care for a queer agenda as much as they care about say, Public Power. Recently, I heard that one straight progressive said, "Does that mean that the Harvey Milk Club doesn't care about progressive issues anymore?"
Besides being ridiculous, it is frankly insulting.
Greg is demanding that fat issues/sex/sm issues/racial discrimination in the LGBT community/transgender/queer issues be considered progressive issues. When 70% of the transgender community is unemployed in San Francisco, I think it is fair for him (and me) to demand that people do something/give a shit. As Greg said, this is more than discrimination. This is a prohibition on employment.
And no. This is not just identity politics and to suggest that is ridiculous and insulting.
People who the straight progressive community write-off as LGBT moderates do more and care more about LGBT issues and support us on moving a queer agenda. So don't be surprised if queer progressives want to build bridges with the so-called moderates who will work with us on a queer agenda when the straight progressive community blows us off.
And finally, but most importantly, I think Greg is trying to call into question who we think the real moderates are. From a queer progressive perspective, it is hard to tell sometimes.
P.S. Someone recently told me that they thought the editorial was directed at them, just like everyone I have spoken to recently did. It wasn't but then again it was. Some of my straight progressive brothers and sisters are amazing. They confront heterosexual/gender identity/gender/racial privilege in politics and in life all the time. They push a queer agenda all the time. And to those who do, thank you. But if there is doubt in your mind, well...
Besides being ridiculous, it is frankly insulting.
Greg is demanding that fat issues/sex/sm issues/racial discrimination in the LGBT community/transgender/queer issues be considered progressive issues. When 70% of the transgender community is unemployed in San Francisco, I think it is fair for him (and me) to demand that people do something/give a shit. As Greg said, this is more than discrimination. This is a prohibition on employment.
And no. This is not just identity politics and to suggest that is ridiculous and insulting.
People who the straight progressive community write-off as LGBT moderates do more and care more about LGBT issues and support us on moving a queer agenda. So don't be surprised if queer progressives want to build bridges with the so-called moderates who will work with us on a queer agenda when the straight progressive community blows us off.
And finally, but most importantly, I think Greg is trying to call into question who we think the real moderates are. From a queer progressive perspective, it is hard to tell sometimes.
P.S. Someone recently told me that they thought the editorial was directed at them, just like everyone I have spoken to recently did. It wasn't but then again it was. Some of my straight progressive brothers and sisters are amazing. They confront heterosexual/gender identity/gender/racial privilege in politics and in life all the time. They push a queer agenda all the time. And to those who do, thank you. But if there is doubt in your mind, well...
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