Okay, I admit it. I have an agenda.
Like the rest of us in the GLBT community, I never got my rainbow-colored leather-bound copy of “The Gay Agenda.” The damned thing is still on back order. So what’s an activist to do? I had no choice. I had to create my own agenda.
I know it’s a shock to those of us who have screamed that there’s no “gay agenda.” Huh? Whudyameantheresanagenda? Relax, friends. It’s not that earth-shattering of a revelation. And no, it’s not time for the “See? I told you so!” crowd to gloat either.
Any activist role requires clear goals and clear methods to reach those goals. We can never be successful in bringing about change if we’re just making noise or waving signs. And most importantly, we must have a vision for a future without bigotry, and a vision for bringing that possible future into our present.
Finally, true activism is having our finger on the pulse of a collective desire for change. Activists don’t create change, they echo the voice of the oppressed who demand it in the silence of their despair. They are the voice in the wilderness. They are the forerunners. They are the radicals.
Now, about that agenda:
First, I will promote equality and tolerance through education, legislation, and excellence. Second, I will work toward building a mutual respect for all people, regardless of their race, religion, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Some specifics are:
- Sexual orientation will be as immaterial to a person’s life as their eye color.
- Same-sex couples will be able to hold hands and show appropriate affection in public without fear of negative reaction or recourse.
- Teenagers will be free to come out to their peers without fear of being ostracized.
- Families headed by same-sex couples will have the same federal protections as those headed by opposite-sex couples.
Most people would find these goals to be somewhat benign. We must hold these as solid principles which can be solid and attainable goals for all of us. Our methods are even more important. I chose the words “education, legislation, and excellence” very carefully.
Education is critical to any movement. Ignorance is what drives so many people into knee-jerk reactions, and it’s what drives the fear that inspires bombastic protests. As we educate through conversation, institution and entertainment, the truth about sexual orientation and its ultimate normalcy will slowly enter the psyche of the general population. It’s only through education that the truth will break through the walls of deception, myths, and outright lies that are hurled against us. When one person’s mind is awakened by that speck of truth, hope begins to emerge.
Then there’s legislation. We can never have freedom if there is no legislated protection to fall back on. There are laws to protect the religious, women, children, minorities, and Native Americans. Every one of these groups has a group of clear-cut laws to support their cause for equality. We do not. As I’ve written before, more than two-thirds of our country’s population still lives without “sexual orientation” on nondiscrimination clauses of their state or local government. When the Stonewall riots ignited, this fact loomed over them like a dark cloud of hate. Those clouds still exist. They’re starting to break up, but they’re still there.
And finally, there’s excellence. What do I mean by that? Let’s remember the fine folks of the Mattachine Society which, for all intents and purposes, began the gay rights movement long before the June 27, 1969 Stonewall riot. They wrote letters to J. Edgar Hoover. They asked for legal protection. Finally, they picketed. But they did it in a manner that turned heads across Philadelphia.
The men wore business suits. The women wore dresses. They all carried their white signs with clear, simple black lettering. Some signs read, “Homosexuals demand equal rights.” Each sign had a different message, but the unity of their effort was clear. They all held their signs in a certain manner, they walked in unison. They didn’t shout, complain or gripe. In short, they were united.
They did something that we must: they adhered to a higher standard than was accepted for the general public. Their commitment was to excellence as much as they were committed to bringing about change. After Stonewall, they were joined by hundreds of participants at their annual picket. It was then that the unity gave birth to diversity.
Now, I’m not saying that we should all wear business suits or dresses. But their overall point is extremely valid. We must, as they did, hold ourselves to a higher standard. In a time when we should do all we can to prove our detractors wrong when they say that we’re a bunch of sick, amoral, promiscuous, twisted, and immature fags, some of us act as if we want to prove them right!
It’s through excellence that we can strip away every single blot that our detractors want to expose. Yes, it’s hard. It requires persistence, faith, and most of all, integrity. This means we can’t scream about freedom of speech and complain when religious people tell people we’re going to hell. This means we can’t out people when some of us have to be closeted while serving in the military. We simply must remove every double standard that holds us back from achieving our goals.
Put simply, it’s the high road. It’s a road worth taking, even if it’s a little bumpy.
So there you have it. That’s my agenda. That’s my path, and my calling.
Care to join me? I could use the company.
David W. Shelton
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You are such a talented writer. I enjoy reading you each time you post something. You have an amazing talent. And I for one am proud to be your friend… In the words of our Dear Friend Mwriter YOU ROCK!!!! Love Tammy (suggarrbearr)
This is a great post, Dave! We really do need to educate, legislate, instigate, and, if neccessary, insinuate our agenda until the right-wing religionists get out of our faces and come to grips with the fact that the GLBT community needs to have the same rights as the rest of Americans have. Keep up the good fight and run the race with patience…Regards, Roger (GAYSLOVEJESUS2)
Hey David! Great post that we could all learn from. I enjoyed it!
Robin Sloan
Another amazing post by the ever amazing. May there be more to come!
Jay
David, I agree with your approach. I think you will get more positive attention and results with the “excellence” standard/agenda. Education is HUGE, I believe in time, as you say, the stigmas will be lifted from the GLBT community. Our youth will play a large roll in accelerating equality simply due to the fact that they innately KNOW gays are a normal part of population and do not question, nit pic or accuse, regardless of thier families faith or non faith. It is not an easy concept for heterosexuals to grasp simply because they are not wired that way. It’s ignorance and lack of understanding that causes so much of the intolerance. The stubborness so many display when clinging to the misinterpretations of certain biblical scriptures even after being given reasonable explanations will be slower in changing. Education and a committment to excellence by the gay community will motivate this change so greatly deserved.
As usual, you have made excellent points. In the fight for equal rights, it is better to lead by example. Destroy the stereotypes they have of us. Show them that we are more like them than different. We will win this fight..eventually.
Hey! I’m your Press Agent and there was no smoke signal or even an e-mail to go to work. Now, I’m 5 comments behind, what’s left for me to say? Well Rad, as usual you are awe-inspiring! You are not only unusually talented, but you have “Persistance.” Persistance in my estimation is your pursuit to develop talents, attain goals, and to serve others as well. This you are doing and your constant effort to get the true facts across to people will prove successful. YOU
will make a difference! Trustworthiness, stick-to-it-iveness, and determination are the
qualities that will help you win this battle. These talents you have. There is no easy formula to success. Persist, persist, PERSIST;
work, work, WORK-is what counts in the battles of life. Rad, you do
ROCK! Carry on. Your friend, Biddy
David, thanks for the post and for highlighting the humanity in the struggle. I’m so glad you mentioned racial equality in your post. I would love to hear you write more about this topic. I find that the issues of racism, sexism and hetersexism intersect in a way that should makes for strong allies among the “oppressed”.
Thank you for processing your thoughts in a forum where others can see into your world and mind.
Peterson
Dave, a great post. Education will indeed have a cleansing impact on the uninformed.
Execellence and persistence in presenting and representing the community will win the day. To that end, I invite everyone available to come to Dickson County for a noontime Community Mass Rally . A black family who have been victimized by environmental waste toxins and governmental indifference are appealing to the public to call attention to their plight- servere cancer clusters within their community, birth defects and genetic abnormalities well outside accepted norms and governmental indifference and neglect in light of acknowledged toxic carcinogens having seeped into the groundwater.
Rev. Jerry Jerkins is the local POC for this event- 931-552-6589, for more details. This would be an excellent opportunity to broaden the community’s outreach and show that our causes interface with many other issues not seen as ‘our’ cause!
David,
If anyone can pull off what you are attempting with your agenda, it is YOU! Bravo for your caring and persistence. I know in my heart that you WILL make a difference in this world. (I wrote this before reading all the wonderful comments that have been left for you!) I am proud that you have the approach that you are touting in this article. Right on and know that I pray for you daily. Oh, yeah! I love you too! MOM
Rad, as usual your talents are showing. Guess I’m not the only one who sits and thinks why this all came about. It would seem there were very special spirits in heaven perhaps sent here to go through a time of testing to see if they could overcome the obstacles put in their lives. Knowing you are Christian it is my sincere hope and prayer that you continue to study the Bible and pray to God for the right answers.
May God Bless you in your quest for truth and grant you the righteous desires of your heart, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Your Mom must be one special lady.
Demure