Connect with us

Living

End of the movement?

Allies, athletes, bloggers, celebrities, musicians, lawmakers & locals discuss the future of LGBT advocacy

Published

on

National Equality March, gay news, Washington Blade
National Equality March, gay rights, gay news, Washington Blade

The National Equality March in Oct. 2009 (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

With the Supreme Court wrestling with some of our biggest issues and marriage rights expanding around the country, we asked several LGBT folks from all walks of life if the end of the movement could be near. Specifically, we asked:

ā€œHave we reached a turning point in the LGBT rights movement and what does the end of the movement look like to you?ā€

Their answers will delight, surprise, provoke ā€” and make you think.

(Compiled by Blade staff writers Michael K. Lavers, Chris Johnson, Lou Chibbaro Jr., Phil Reese and Joey DiGuglielmo)

SEE MORE ARTICLES IN THIS SERIES HERE

Heather Mizeur (Maryland State Delegate)

Heather Mizeur, Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund Brunch, gay news, Washington Blade, Maryland State Legislature, Democratic Party, Tacoma Park

Maryland state Del. Heather Mizeur (D-Montgomery Co.) (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

We have definitely reached a tipping point.Ā With 12 states and counting, LGBT equality is on the march and there is no turning back. It was exciting for Maryland to play such a central role in being the first state below the Mason-Dixon line to pass marriage equality, and the first to affirm its support through the popular vote at the ballot box in 2012.Ā In Takoma Park, when I ran for City Council a decade ago, my sexual orientation was not seen as anything interesting or special because the community had already grown to fully embrace all of its LGBT residents. Now, as I explore a run for governor of Maryland, I find that voters throughout the state are more impressed and interested in my ideas for the future than any concern over the fact that my wife would be their First Lady.Ā We have come a long way.

I do not ever envision an ā€œend of the movementā€ because as soon as we are done securing our own equality, we move on together as a community to address and tackle inequality every place it exists ā€“ poverty, racial bias and gender discrimination, to name a few.Ā We will continue to work collaboratively, putting our communityā€™s best talents forward, to affect positive social change for everyone.

Felipe Sousa-Rodriguez (GetEQUAL)

Felipe Sousa-Rodriguez, Republican National Convention, GetEqual, Tampa, Florida, gay news, Washington Blade

Felipe Sousa-Rodriguez (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Itā€™s time to push for what we deserve.

Forty-four years ago, a group of drag queens and trans women of color ā€” tired of the constant institutional violence perpetuated against our community ā€” led the Stonewall riots. Riots turned into Pride and Pride continues to be our community’s opportunity to reflect on our progress, set forth our vision for equality and organize ā€” because our lives depend on it.

Though we have made many gains, we are still severely unequal under United States law. We only have 15 percent of the rights of our straight counterparts. In my home state of Florida, I can be denied work, credit, housing, a marriage license and all manner of other rights essential to living the American dream. These issues become even more magnified when taking into account the multiple oppressions of race, immigration status, gender, etc. We have much ground to cover and waiting around is not an option.

Congress and the White House will continue to play politics with our lives unless we stand up now and push for what we truly deserve. Recently, Democratic leaders denied same-sex bi-national couples protections under immigration law; the president is sitting on an executive order that could protect 25 percent of the labor force in our nation against workplace discrimination. The incremental approach to equality is ineffective. We need aĀ full federal equalityĀ bill. We owe it to those first mavericks who rose up and fought back against our oppression. Itā€™s time for us to push our allies in Congress to stand up for our equality.

Gautam Raghavan (White House adviser)

Gautam Raghavan, Barack Obama Administration, White House, Frank Kameny, gay news, Washington Blade

White House advisorĀ Gautam Raghavan (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

In his second inaugural address, President Obama spoke of our nationā€™s commitment to advancing equality for all people, a journey that ā€œguided our forebears through Seneca Falls and Selma and Stonewall.ā€Ā  For the LGBT community and allies, those words were received with deep gratitude, applause and more than a few tears.

Since 2009, we have seen tremendous change unfold across the country: ā€œDonā€™t Ask, Donā€™t Tellā€ repealed, hate crimes laws expanded to better protect the community,Ā  anti-bullying efforts increased, discrimination in federal housing prohibited and benefits for same-sex couples extended.Ā As President Obama has said, this progress has not been led by lawmakers in Washington, but by ordinary citizens.Ā Itā€™s change driven by friends, families, colleagues and neighbors having important, heartfelt, sometimes tough conversations in neighborhoods, small towns and cities all across America.

As we reflect upon this rapid progress in the context of a decades-long movement toward equality, it can be easy to assume weā€™re near our journeyā€™s end.

But if we take the presidentā€™s words to heart ā€” ā€œSeneca Falls, Selma, Stonewallā€ ā€” we remember that movements for equality and social justice require continued commitment.Ā Today, more than 160 years after the Seneca Falls Convention, women still donā€™t receive equal pay in the workplace.Ā Nearly 50 years after Bloody Sunday, we continue to work toward full racial equality in education, housing and voting.Ā And although the protesters at Stonewall may not have imagined marriage equality in their lifetime, their experience of violence, harassment and discrimination at work and at home still resonate in our community today.

This Pride month, we celebrate the progress we have made ā€” through laws, policies and victories at the ballot box and in the courtroom ā€” and we recommit ourselves to continuing our march toward a more perfect union.

Iā€™m confident that our president will be with us every step of the way.

U.S. Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.)

Mark Takano, Democratic Party, California, United States House of Representatives, gay news, Washington Blade

Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

The LGBT rights movement is undoubtedly at a turning point as public opinion has moved in favor of LGBT rights and there are more LGBT federal elected officials than ever before.

But even more evident is that legislation coming out of Congress has become more reflective of true equality as laid out in the Constitution. With the Matthew Shepard Act and the repeal of ā€œDonā€™t Ask, Donā€™t Tell,ā€ hate-crimes protections were expanded and gay service members were allowed to serve openly in the military. Meanwhile, an increasing number of states have approved marriage equality and prohibited employment discrimination against the LGBT community through state initiatives and legislation.

For the first time in United States history, the president and a majority of United States senators support marriage equality and the Department of Justice is no longer defending the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in court.

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, ā€œThe arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.ā€ At this moment in the LGBT rights movement, the arc is actuallyĀ an acceleration curve. This is a turning point, but there is more to do before we reach the end of the arc,Ā where full equality is recognized under the law and throughout our society.

Hassan Naveed (Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence)

Hassan Naveed, Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence, GLOV, gay news, Washington Blade

Hassan Naveed (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

I think weā€™re at a crossroads. Weā€™ve witnessed tremendous strides toward equality in the past few years. Public opinion on LGBT issues is progressing unquestionably in our communityā€™s favor.

The recent political victories for marriage equality in several states represent major milestones. As we celebrate these successes and others to come, itā€™s important to recognize that only history will attest to the true turning points of the LGBT rights movement.

For now, advocates must stride toward equality mindful of all the issues faced by LGBT peoples. Job discrimination, unfair immigration policies, health inequities, homelessness and hate crimes are not new problems, but continue to haunt our community.

The movementā€™s path forward must address the needs of the most vulnerable and continually accommodate our immense diversity. Weā€™ve reached a crossroads and the direction forward will be the true test of our morality as a people and our success as a movement. For me, the movement will end when we are truly free; to live our lives to the fullest without barriers based on gender expression and identity or sexuality.

Martin Garcia (Gertrude Stein Democratic Club)

Martin Garcia, Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, gay news, Washington Blade

Martin Garcia (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

As we watch the news and look at the national trends, it gets me very excited seeing all signs pointing to moving toward full equality. The number of successes in achieving marriage equality on the state level, theĀ optimistic views on the upcoming Supreme CourtĀ decisions, national polls showing a rise in favor of LGBT rights show we definitely have the wind at our backs.

However, we still have a very long journey ahead of us on a number of issues affecting LGBT people and will need to continue fighting.

We need to continue the fight for HIV/AIDS research, education and funding to decrease the infection rate and raise awareness, that schools are safe for all LGBT students and staff, that we are secure being out at our jobs, that we are notĀ discriminated against when finding housing, that we are supporting our youth to ensure they do not end up homeless or worse no longer with us, and fight to ensure that not only some of us are winning but that we are lifting everyone in our community up.

So as exciting and promising as these recent, and hopefully soon-to-be, victories are, we are not done and need to continue the fight for full equality.

Chad Griffin (president, Human Rights Campaign)

Chad Griffin, Human Rights Campaign, gay news, Washington Blade

Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin (Washington Blade file photo by Blake Bergen)

This Pride month, the LGBT movement has so many reasons to be hopeful. From historic oral arguments at the Supreme Court, to victories for marriage equality in Delaware, Rhode Island and Minnesota, to the out-and-proud leadership of athletes like Jason Collins, Brittney Griner and Robbie Rogers, LGBT people and our families have never been so visible and so welcome in American life.

But, as a community, we canā€™t let progress distract us from the work left to do. Weā€™ve got to make sure that every person in this country gets to see that progress, too.

The fact is that when transgender people still face truly shocking rates of harassment and violence, when a gay man can still be openly murdered on the streets of New York City for who he is, when LGBT youth are still roughly 10 times more likely to be homeless, our work is far from complete. Weā€™re not even close to where we need to be.

So as we gather as a community to celebrate Pride, this movement needs a fire in its belly now more than ever. As long as any LGBT young person feels unwelcome in their community, their church or even around their own dinner table, weā€™ve got work to do.

Pride, after all, is a celebration with a message: equality everywhere for everyone. And that vision isnā€™t achieved until it reaches every single person in every corner of this vast country.

Amy Loudermilk (Mayorā€™s Office of GLBT Affairs)

Amy Loudermilk, Mayor's Office of GLBT Affairs, gay news, Washington Blade

Amy Loudermilk (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

I think weā€™ve absolutely hit a turning point in the LGBT rights movement.Ā With the recent explosion in theĀ number of states approving marriage-equality measures, our president supporting full equality and the two Supreme Court cases set to be decided very soon, how could anyone deny the countryā€™s mood is changing about this issue and that the momentum is very much in favor of equality?Ā I also couldnā€™t be more proud that the District was one of the first jurisdictions with marriage equality.

That said, there are still lots of legal issues that need to be addressed and will take some time, with everything from retirement benefits to the availability of restraining orders to same-sex couples involved in domestic-violence situations.Ā Ultimately, I donā€™t know what the end of the movement will look like because I donā€™t necessarily think it will end.Ā For example, the womenā€™s rights movement is still going on today because women still donā€™t make equal pay for equal work and in some states donā€™t have full control over their own bodies. Similarly, the civil rights movement continues today because we are still trying to fix policies that unfairly target people of color and still overcoming the lingering effects of centuries of institutionalized racism.

Prejudice in general will always exist, so I think this movement and others will continue for a very long time.Ā And it should continue because the worldā€™s learned a lesson about what happens when you are silent about discrimination.

Scott Wooledge (activist)

Scott Wooledge, gay news, Washington Blade

Scott Wooledge (Photo courtesy of Wooledge)

There is no end.

The work is never done, nearly 50 years after the Voting Rights Act was passed, the battle to stamp out institutionalized racism that denies people of color their votes is still front and center; in the Supreme Court, in lower courts and legislatures. And 93 years after the 19th Amendment was ratified, women still hold only 18.3 percent of the 535 seats in the 113th U.S. Congress (and zero presidents thus far).

Though we have nearly all one could hope for in here in New York, we have yet to pass transgender protections. And all LGBT communities will forever be tasked with fighting for their seats at the table and ensuring government serves the unique and specific needs of our community. In New York, we have ongoing battles to ensure our leaders donā€™t balance tightening state and local budgets by slashing funding for our most vulnerable (and lobbyist-free). Constituencies like indigent with HIV and homeless youth depend on our voices. Social safety net programs, like unemployment, are particularly important to a community that faces discrimination in employment and housing.

But of course I have seen the LGBT community evolve dramatically in my lifetime.

Weā€™ve long been bound by our shared desire not to be outcasts from stalwart mainstream institutions, like the military, the Boy Scouts and marriage. And weā€™re winning. The question becomes, does the LGBT community have core values that bind us other than just being shunned by straight people? Fighting to expand options will result in more people exercising them. Witness the malaise of the gayborhood as LGBT people no longer feel awkward and unwelcome in more traditionally straight areas.

Ironically, there now seems to be a sense among some that actually choosing to join those institutions is an expression of betrayal to the larger community; ā€œassimilateā€ and ā€œheteronormativesā€ are said with derision.

I tip my hat as enthusiastically to the gender-transgressive anarchist as I do the Marine and the suburban soccer mom. I am confident this is the beautiful mosaic that makes our community, and America, beautiful.

Zack Ford (ThinkProgress.org)

Zack Ford, ThinkProgress, gay news, Washington Blade

Zack Ford (Photo courtesy of Ford)

The LGBT movement will not end during any of our lifetimes. In the next few decades, we may complete many of our legislative goals, such as marriage equality, nondiscrimination protections, bullying oversight and others, but the work will continue. These legal victories will shift the priorities of our movement to focus more on education, advocacy and support, but opponents of LGBT equality will no doubt continue to challenge our communityā€™s full inclusion in society.

People of color still endure unfair treatment under ā€œStop and Friskā€ and voter suppression laws; women still donā€™t have equitable salaries or access to health care; and people with disabilities still must fight for accessibility as they challenge basic prejudices. History proves that a change in the laws does not automatically end all oppression.

As LGBT people, we will always be a minority with identities that are, by nature, invisible. We will always have to come out; we will always have to help other people understand how our lives are different. But my perspective is not a pessimistic one. Our momentum is strong and the work is rewarding. For many people, advocacy ā€” and even pride ā€” may become a much smaller priority as it becomes easier for them to integrate, an acknowledgment of the movementā€™s success. But equality is not a box to be simply checked off; it must be maintained like a garden. Until being queer is as uncontroversial as being left-handed, there will always be a place for the movement in some form.

Michael Crawford (Freedom to Marry)

Michael Crawford, Freedom to Marry, gay news, Washington Blade

Michael Crawford (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

I’m not sure that there will be an end to the LGBT movement. We tend to think about the “LGBT movement” as being about established groups and activists fighting to pass legislation and that the goals of the movement as being primarily legislative. I think we limit our possibilities for achieving true equality if we limit ourselves to thinking solely about passing legislation.

Instead, we should think about our legislative goals around issues like nondiscrimination, marriage and bullying asĀ first steps toward transforming and reshaping the dominant culture in ways that will result in freedom for everyone.

I also think we need to take seriously the responsibility we have to help improve the lives of LGBT people across the globe. And we need to recognize that we have a lot to learn from activists in other countries who are advancing more rapidly than we are.

Just as there’s a continued need for black advocacy groups, I think there will be a continued need for activists who push us toward greater freedom. What those activists and advocacy groups will look like will change as we change the culture, but there will be a continued need for them as long as there are LGBT people.

Emily Saliers (Indigo Girls)

Emily Saliers, Indigo Girls, gay news, Washington Blade

Emily Saliers (Photo courtesy of Russell Carter Artist Management)

Itā€™s a very good and complicated question. What’s good for some of us is good for all of us. Gay marriage ā€” even if the whole population of queer folks decided not to get married, thatā€™s not the point ā€” is an important right to have. And I know exactly what the other issues are. Weā€™ve got high teen suicide rates and homelessness. You can start talking about the church and forget about it. I’ve seen the personal pain, the issues of health, gay couples lacking protection. I know all these realities. But gay marriage has become the linchpin because for society, itā€™s such a huge shift. The idea that gay marriage could be legislated and protected is one of those massive, massive things that is good for all of us.

The evolution of social issues is painfully slow. Just ask an African American if theyā€™re still suffering the effects of slavery. Of course they are. You see it all the time in the stereotyping of black people in culture. My partner is Canadian, so the day after our show Iā€™m going to be on the Hill with my partner and my baby to say, ā€œThis is what a family looks like.ā€ If DOMA isnā€™t repealed, weā€™re moving to Canada. Weā€™ll have no other choice. But having the right to get married is a massive sociological shift and for gay marriage to be legislated, I donā€™t have anything negative to say. Itā€™s about the recognition of equal rights.

Bil Browning (Bilerico Project)

Bil Browning, Bilerico Project, gay news, Washington Blade

Bil Browning (Photo courtesy of Browning)

The LGBT movement will never die. Instead it will slowly amorphize as the dollars dry up and interest wanes. As we’ve already seenĀ after the repeal of DADT, success means downsizing is inevitable.

Once basic protections for employment, publicĀ accommodations and housing have been passed and same-sex marriages are recognized at a federal level, LGBT people will become complacent. The fight for LGBT rights will move to the states as each one separately fights for marriage equality.

Groups that work on other issues will consolidate with larger organizations as funding shrinks and our community is mainstreamed. As with African-American civil rights organizations currently, a couple of groups will dominate the landscape with smaller orgs buzzing around the periphery.

I see Freedom To Marry flourishing by investing in these local battles and wouldn’t beĀ surprised if it became deeply involved internationally. It would likely require a name change, but it could easily swallow other groups that work on family issues like Immigration Equality, Family Equality Council and PFLAG.Ā Established and respected organizations like GLAAD, Trevor Project, Outserve/SLDN, and the Task Force all do valuable work, but in the end could comfortably be incorporated into a more broadly invested HRC, which already has more funding and name recognition.

Sadly, many of these third-tier groups are already struggling financially and will always remain in the “also ran” category because they’re not as well known.Ā The non-profit industry at its core is a business like any other. As in the corporate world, the LGBT movement will consolidate for ease of operation, a larger customer base andĀ maximum profits.

Carl Schmid (The AIDS Institute)

Carl Schmid, the AIDS Institute, gay news, Washington Blade

Carl Schmid (Photo courtesy of Schmid)

The LGBT rights movement has progressed slowly over several decades, spurred on by distinct events, including the AIDS crisis in the early ā€˜80s that led many gay men to publicly ā€œact upā€ and all too often see either themselves or their friends and loved ones die. Sadly, thousands did die, though much has changed since those early days, in some ways things are still the same. Although we know how HIV can be prevented and treated, and research continues toward finding a vaccine and cure, the end is not in sight.

While people are living longer due to the advent of antiretroviral medications, gay men still shoulder two-thirds of all new HIV infections, about 33,000 new cases each year. A recent study found that one in five gay men in 21 cities have HIV, half of whom do not even know it. Unfortunately, the number of new cases is rising for those under age 25, particularly among young black gay men.

But how many of your friends talk about HIV or their own HIV? While the stigma and discrimination surrounding LGBT people has decreased, the same cannot be said for people with HIV.

It is my hope the progress that has been made in the LGBT movement can impact HIV among gay men. With a more accepting and affirming society and legalization of same-sex marriage, perhaps some factors that lead to HIV transmission will be reduced.

While much progress has been made, I do not see an end of the movement as it relates to HIV among gay men until parents and schools not only teach sexual education that encompasses homosexuality but normalizes being gay and gay relationships. Yes, great strides have been made, but so much more must occur.

Dave Kolesar (WGAY)

Dave Kolesar, Patrick Wojahn, gay news, Washington Blade, marriage equality, Maryland, gay marriage, same-sex marriage, gay news, Washington Blade

Dave Kolesar, left, and his partner, Patrick Wojahn, in Annapolis for the Maryland marriage bill signing. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

I think we have reached a turning point in the LGBT rights movement.Ā When my partner Patrick Wojahn and I first became involved in the Maryland marriage lawsuit in 2004, many of our friends thought we were crazy.Ā Support for same-sex marriage was polling in the 30s and Massachusetts was looking like an outlier, having just granted equal marriage rights to same-sex couples.

Almost 10 years later, marriage equality exists in about a dozen states and the victories for LGBT issues in four states at the ballot box last year showed not only that the sky didn’t fall, but that momentum has decisively swung in favor of the LGBT movement.

I don’t know what the end of the movement would look like, as I think it still has a long way to go.Ā The marriage question may be largely settled within a decade, but there are many other important issues that need to be addressed ā€” employment discrimination and transgender rights are probably the next big fights.Ā And while we certainly have been successful over the past few years, recent attacks in New York City suggest that we have to be on guard against a violent counter-reaction to the success of our movement.Ā  Unfortunately it seems that in society, wherever there is a minority, there is discrimination and the hope is that one day there will be enough moral progress such that we all realize that all of us have much more in common than we do differences.

Chris Kluwe (Oakland Raiders, ally)

Chris Kluwe, National Football League, gay news, Washington Blade

Chris Kluwe (Photo by Joe Bielawa)

This is a question that I donā€™t think has an answer anyone wants to hear.

Iā€™ve always tried to be honest and examine the world through the lens of what is, not what I would like it to be and yes, I think weā€™ve reached a turning point in the LGBT rights movement in the United States, but I donā€™t think weā€™re anywhere close to the end of the movement.

The struggle for LGBT rights is the same struggle for womenā€™s rights, the same struggle for religious rights and the same struggle for civil rights humanity has waged for the entirety of its existence, and itā€™s happening all over the globe ā€” the struggle to live your own life, free of oppression, without oppressing others.

This is the battle that every generation in every nation has to fight, and will continue fighting, until the day comes when weā€™re all finally empathic enough to understand what effect our actions can have on other people.

Yet even though we may not see the end of that struggle in our lifetime, it is a struggle worth fighting for, because every step we take, every inch we gain in treating others with respect and dignity, is another building block our children can use to make their own progress, to build their own better world.

The end of the movement may never come, but that doesnā€™t mean we should stop working toward it.

Ruby Corado (transgender activist)

Ruby Corado, Casa Ruby, gay news, Washington Blade

Ruby Corado (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

No, we haven’t reached a turning point in the LGBT rights movement yet. WeĀ have helped others reach that point and helped changed the minds of manyĀ people.

These days we have many politicians who are legislating for us not just against us. We have a mainstream media that covers more positiveĀ stories about our lives than ever before. We have faith communities thatĀ are embracing our pursuit of dignity. We have America understanding LGBTsĀ as human beings not just as a sexual orientation, gender identity and/orĀ expression. But our LGBT movement has not reached a turning point amongĀ those who are LGBT. We are a movement divided by race, gender, social andĀ economic status, ideals, geographical areas. We are a movement that doesĀ not support the young, the elder, the disadvantaged, the marginalized, theĀ gender non-conforming and/or transgender.

I see the end of our movement looking like the rainbow that we love andĀ embrace so much, a movement where every color (every gay, lesbian, bisexualĀ and transgender) complements, sticks together and supports one another noĀ matter what challenges or struggles we face through our individual storms.

At the end, we, just like the rainbow, shine together happily.

Hector Fonseca (DJ)

Hector Fonseca, gay news, Washington Blade

Hector Fonseca (Photo courtesy of Management 360)

I think there have been a number of turning points recently. The end of ā€œDon’t Ask, Don’t Tell.ā€ Legalization of marriage in several states and countries. An active pro athlete coming out. Those are all great moments and turning points in the LGBT community we should celebrate.

I personally think Lady Gaga should get more credit than she is getting. In my eyes, she got the ball really rolling a few years ago. Gaga made it cool again for other pop artists and celebrities like her to care about gay rights again. Kudos to her for restarting the movement.

The end of the movement to me would be a few things including openly gay pro athletes, an openly gay president and the same full equal rights that heterosexuals globally enjoy. I don’t think any of this will happen until we as a community really stick together to support LGBT causes and those who respect our community, only.

We also need to stop glorifying bullying and putting hateful people on pedestals (e.g. ā€œSheā€™s such a bitch, I love her.ā€). When we stop doing this, we will get much further much quicker. We have come a long way but there is much more work to be done.

Holly Twyford (actress)

Holly Twyford, Studio Theatre, Dirt, gay news, Washington Blade

Holly Twyford (Photo by Scott Suchman, courtesy Studio Theatre)

Thereā€™s a big difference between a tipping point and an end point. The biggest challenge the gay community has always had is weā€™ve never had any clear agenda other than equality. Is marriage equality the golden egg? Maybe legally so, but what does it really mean for us to reach an end point because you have to address the continued bigotry that still exists.

Of course itā€™s incredibly important that marriage is in front of the Supreme Court but now we need Joe Schmoe American to say, ā€œOK, I buy into that tooā€ or ā€œI just met two lesbians with a child and they seemed like great parents.ā€ So I guess my answer is yes and no. Yes, itā€™s a huge, exciting paradigm shift, but is it the end of the movement? No.

I think marriage is being very much held up as the brass ring because itā€™s a clear, visible, everyday symbol of what has been denied to us. You know, we can talk about workplace discrimination, but itā€™s harder to see, whereas me and my partner getting up in front of a church and someone saying, ā€œBy the power vested in me ā€¦ ā€ thatā€™s something very visible and you can say wife, not partner. Itā€™s like, ā€œOh, OK, so youā€™re not married?ā€ ā€œWell no, but weā€™ve been together 20 fucking years ā€” weā€™ve been together longer than you and your husband.ā€ Itā€™s just so great not to have to explain all that. Itā€™s a huge symbol.

Melissa Etheridge (singer)

Melissa Etheridge, gay news, Washington Blade

Melissa Etheridge (Photo by James Minchin III)

I donā€™t think there will ever be an end of the movement.

I think the time we can kinda go, ā€œWhew,ā€ is when we know that we can walk in any city and beside any stranger and understand that what makes me different from them is not something thatā€™s fearful to them. Iā€™ve seen such fear among people of what is not understood and what weā€™ve done over the last 20 years is to slowly, day by day, say, ā€œWe are people. Weā€™re your neighbors, your children, your friends, we work with you, we are part of every community. Weā€™re everywhere in the whole world, we are a piece of every civilization and what we bring to the table only makes us better as a nation and as a world.ā€

To understand that diversity and not be fearful of it is really the ultimate step. Gay marriage is important because itā€™s actually something you can legislate. You canā€™t go before the Supreme Court and say, ā€œTheyā€™ve gotta stop hating me,ā€ you just canā€™t pass that kind of a law. But you can find a way to legislate certain rights. Iā€™m not saying we should all get married. Anybody can see I personally havenā€™t really been very good at it so far. Yet to have the right to do so is vitally important.

When I was a teen, for instance, there wasnā€™t even really any sense of gay marriage as a concept. We didnā€™t even really have the words for it or if there was, it was all bad. And yet here it is a generation later in front of the Supreme Court. As every new generation comes along, the fear dilutes.

Mame Dennis/Carl Rizzi (Academy of Washington)

Mame Dennis, Ziegfeld's, Academy of Washington, gay news, Washington Blade

Mame Dennis (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Weā€™ve had gay weddings in the Academy for years. They werenā€™t legal of course, but we had them. I guess if the Supreme Court makes them legal and everything, thatā€™s fine, but I donā€™t really think itā€™s going to solve anything.

I have to be honest, I shudder a bit when I think of all these people who will probably rush out and get married. I do think the gay girls take it a little more seriously than the men, but I think with the guys, they trick with someone and think theyā€™re in love and I can easily see them running off and getting married and then what, eight weeks later or something, realize, well no, Iā€™m not really in love. Iā€™m concerned about the after effects. I think thereā€™s going to be a huge spate of gay divorces if this goes through and that will look really bad for the community. That might give us an even worse name. You know how some of these queens are.

I think we have to spend more time earning respect and acceptance in the workplace and in the community and society in general. Thatā€™s the most important thing we have to concentrate on.

People seem so obsessed with this marriage stuff and there are so many things out there that are more important. Iā€™m also concerned with how it will turn out when these queens run out and jump into marriage and realize later they canā€™t get out of it so easily. Thatā€™s not to say everyone will get divorced, of course, but some will and weā€™ve been so used to just shacking up for so many years and being able to leave whenever we want. It wonā€™t always be so easy to do that. The gay girls, at least the ones I know and have been associated with, seem to stay in their relationships forever. They seem to want to make more of a commitment.

David Lett/Lena Lett (priest/drag queen)

David Lett, Lena Lett, gay news, Washington Blade

David Lett (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

For me, marriage is not the brass ring. It certainly is a milestone and it does get us a little bit closer to overall equality, but is this the end of the movement? Unfortunately I donā€™t think that will ever happen. I donā€™t think blacks could ever foresee a day when the NAACP could go away and everything would be fine from then on. Even struggles that we think of as being from a totally different era, like the Irish fully finding their place in society, as long as thereā€™s sickness and sadness in the world, there will be discrimination and as long as you have people bound by ignorance and bound by fear, then you will have the haves and the have nots and there has to be a group for the have nots.

I donā€™t think itā€™s realistic at all given human nature, for any of the groups to just say, ā€œOK, weā€™re done ā€” letā€™s pack up and go home.ā€ The people who are there to make sure these things are fully accepted over the long haul, those people will always have a job.

I donā€™t really see marriage ā€” and this is from somebody who performs them ā€” as that big a deal. I can see it symbolically and for long-term relational issues like money and securities and inheritance and that sort of thing, but itā€™s not really as big as some of the other issues.

If you think about it, most professionals who are involved in weddings ā€” clergy, dress designers, event coordinators, cake decorators, organists ā€” youā€™re dealing with a lot of people who happen to be gay themselves and so to be denied that themselves is a real slap in the face. Itā€™s the same thing as it was for black people ā€” ā€œOh, itā€™s OK for me to work in the dining room but itā€™s not OK to sit in the dining room?ā€ That shit doesnā€™t work anymore. Weā€™ve progressed too far and worked for too long to get where we are.

And all this will outlast the conservative movement. Theyā€™ve basically said, ā€œMarriage, oh my God, you canā€™t touch that, weā€™ll have a constitutional amendment,ā€ but once you start messing with the Constitution, thatā€™s a really big deal. Thatā€™s not just a little state picking on you, thatā€™s the whole government saying, ā€œNo, youā€™re an invalid creature.ā€ But no, you will not mess with the Constitution to say that I am less than. The movement has really been the perfect example of Newtonā€™s Law ā€” for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. They came out with this stuff and we came back full force. I donā€™t see that ending anytime soon.

Allyson Robinson (OutServe-SLDN)

OutServe-SLDN executive director Allyson Robinson (photo courtesy Outserve Magazine)

Allyson Robinson (photo courtesy Outserve Magazine)

At OutServe-SLDN, we’ve seen the future of the LGBT civil rights movement. We live in that future every day.

As the morning of September 20, 2011 dawned on American military installations around the world, gay and lesbian service members awoke to a new reality: their service in defense of this country would no longer be contingent on a willingness to lie about who they were. Ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was an historic accomplishment, decades in the making, and with it, our two predecessor organizations ā€” Servicemembers Legal Defense Network and OutServe ā€” achieved the goal around which they had been rallying support for years.

But when the celebrations ended and we took stock of the new military weā€™d helped create, we realized our work wasnā€™t over. It was just getting started. Gay and lesbian troops could now be ā€œout,ā€ but they were anything but equal.

Passing good laws and enacting good policies is hard work. Changing culture is much harder. Thatā€™s the mission weā€™ve claimed for ourselves at OutServe-SLDN ā€” building a culture of inclusion and respect for LGBT people in our military ā€” even as we continue the fight to end the discriminatory policies that remain. And thatā€™s the work that awaits nearly every LGBT advocacy organization in America on the other side of that new world weā€™re hoping to create by pulling down DOMA and enacting nondiscrimination policies. It will be the work of generations, but take it from us: if you havenā€™t started yet, youā€™re already behind the power curve.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertisement
FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM
SIGN UP FOR E-BLAST

Real Estate

Yes, Virginia, there is down payment assistance

Tax abatement, homestead deductions among options to research

Published

on

Looking for a home but worried about the down payment? Thereā€™s help available. (Photo by designer491/Bigstock)

Letā€™s be honest ā€“ the average person in the Washington, D.C. area has not been living under a rock, knows how to Google whatever they are looking for, and probably has plenty of connections in their graduate program, place of employment, or at their family holiday dinner who can help them figure out how to purchase a home.  

But there were lessons learned as I was working in real estate, that, otherwise, I wouldnā€™t have even known to ask about. In other words, ā€œHow do you know what you donā€™t even know?ā€  

For example: 

  • Some lenders can help you find ways to pay off certain amounts of student loan debt before going to settlement. Depends on the jurisdiction you plan to buy in.Ā 
  • Some down payment assistance loans are available in almost every state. Certain cities and counties have their own versions of this assistance. Some of these programs can be stacked up. Ā 
  • In D.C., and in many other places, you are required to get a home inspection if you are receiving money from the government to buy a home. That way they arenā€™t giving you (or lending you) money to buy what Tom Hanks and Shelley Long would call a ā€œMoney Pit.ā€ (If you havenā€™t seen that movie, do yourself a solid and watch it.)
  • Did you know that certain lending institutions have what are called ā€œDoctorā€™s Loansā€ for people with higher amounts of student loan debt? Ā 
  • Some jurisdictions have various types of tax abatement for first-time homebuyers.Ā  Ask about topics such as ā€œTax Abatementā€ and ā€œHomestead Deductions.ā€ This will reduce your tax bill for a property that is owner occupied, OR delay paying property taxes for a set period of time.Ā 

This is by no means an exhaustive list of topics to consider. But it is meant as an idea generator. There could be some programs where you live that would help you find a way to get into homeownership, get out of paying high monthly rents, and start socking away a monthly investment. Is homeownership for everyone? Probably not. But for some people, including many of the clients Iā€™ve worked with, it was an easy way to put a large sum of money away monthly.  Eventually that money could become a nest egg for leveling up their housing, taking the money back for other purposes, or just one of the tools in their tool belt of personal wealth building. 


Joseph Hudson is a referral agent with Metro Referrals. Reach him at 703-587-0597 or [email protected].

Continue Reading

Real Estate

What LGBTQ buyers, sellers need to know about new real estate rules

Regulations are reshaping how transactions are conducted

Published

on

The real estate landscape has undergone significant changes in recent months. (Photo by Atstock Productions/Bigstock)

In recent months, the real estate landscape has undergone significant changes, with new rules and regulations reshaping how transactions are conducted. These changes affect buyers and sellers across the board, but LGBTQ individuals and couples navigating the housing market should be particularly aware of how these updates might impact their decisions and opportunities. At GayRealEstate.com, weā€™re here to keep you informed and empowered.

1. Transparency in Agent Compensation

One of the most notable changes involves how real estate agents are compensated. New rules aim to increase transparency, requiring agents to clearly disclose their commissions and how they are paid. For LGBTQ buyers and sellers, this means youā€™ll have a better understanding of the financial side of your transaction, making it easier to avoid hidden fees or misunderstandings.

Tip: Make sure your agent explains their compensation structure up front. Working with an LGBTQ-friendly real estate agent through GayRealEstate.com ensures youā€™re connected with professionals who prioritize clarity and fairness.

2. Contracts Before Home Tours

In some areas, buyers are now required to sign a representation agreement before touring homes. While this adds a layer of formality, it can also help you establish a stronger relationship with your agent and ensure theyā€™re working in your best interest.

What It Means for LGBTQ Buyers: Choosing an agent who understands your unique needs is critical. Signing a contract ensures that your agent is committed to helping you find a home in a community where youā€™ll feel safe and welcome.

3. New Protections Against Discrimination

Recent policy changes reinforce anti-discrimination measures in housing, which is particularly relevant for LGBTQ individuals. While federal laws like the Fair Housing Act prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, some states have gone further by implementing additional protections.

How to Navigate: Familiarize yourself with your stateā€™s specific laws, and rely on LGBTQ-friendly agents who are committed to advocating for your rights throughout the transaction process.

4. Market Conditions: Buyers vs. Sellers

The current housing market is in flux, with inventory levels, interest rates, and demand varying widely by region. Sellers may face longer listing times, while buyers could encounter more competitive environments in desirable areas.

5. Mortgage Updates for LGBTQ Couples

Lenders are becoming more inclusive in recognizing diverse family structures, but disparities still exist. Itā€™s essential to work with lenders who understand your unique situation and ensure fair treatment during the mortgage process.

Advice: An LGBTQ-friendly agent can connect you with lenders who are sensitive to your needs and knowledgeable about programs that support equal access to home financing.

Why These Changes Matter

The new rules emphasize fairness, transparency, and accountability ā€” values that align closely with the mission of GayRealEstate.com. However, navigating these changes requires expert guidance, especially for LGBTQ buyers and sellers who may face additional challenges in the market.

Take Action Today

Buying or selling a home is one of the most significant decisions youā€™ll make, and having the right support can make all the difference. At GayRealEstate.com, we connect LGBTQ buyers and sellers with experienced, LGBTQ-friendly agents who are committed to protecting your rights and helping you achieve your goals.

Whether youā€™re just starting your real estate journey or ready to make your next move, weā€™re here to help. Visit GayRealEstate.com to find your perfect agent and get started today.

This article is brought to you by GayRealEstate.com, the nationā€™s largest network of LGBTQ-friendly real estate agents.


Jeff Hammerberg is founding CEO of Hammerberg & Associates, Inc. Reach him at 303-378-5526.

Continue Reading

Real Estate

Your holiday home journey

Real estate decisions often tap into our deeper desires for connection

Published

on

Real estate decisions often tap into our deeper desires for connection, stability, and legacy ā€” values closely tied to the spirit of Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving and real estate share an essential theme: the importance of home. It is traditionally a time of gratitude, togetherness, and reflection. While its hallmark symbols may include turkey dinners, family gatherings, and autumnal dĆ©cor, it also invites us to think deeply about our values and who and what we hold dear. 

For some people, the family home connotes a place of safety, comfort, and community. For others, visiting with family over the holiday can be a contentious and stressful ordeal best avoided. Countless of my friends have severed toxic relationships that can rival an exploding, deep-fried turkey. They have opted instead for dining out or hosting a gathering of food and football with like-minded people.

During Thanksgiving, the idea of ā€œhomeā€ becomes particularly poignant. It is more than just a physical structure; itā€™s where people gather, memories are made, and traditions are passed down. For those involved in real estate ā€” whether as professionals or as individuals embroiled in the market ā€” this emotional dimension of home is a driving force.

When buying a house, itā€™s not just about square footage or the number of bedrooms. It’s about envisioning a Thanksgiving dinner in the dining room, imagining children playing in the backyard, or hosting friends in the cozy living space. Real estate decisions often tap into our deeper desires for connection, stability, and legacy ā€” values closely tied to the spirit of Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving falls in the quieter part of the real estate calendar, with spring and summer being the traditionally hot seasons for buying and selling. Yet, for those who choose to list their homes in November, the holiday offers unique opportunities. Sellers can use Thanksgivingā€™s warm, inviting atmosphere to their advantage, staging homes with seasonal touches like autumn wreaths, a cornucopia of fruits and nuts, the sparkle of a dining room chandelier, and the scent of freshly baked pies.

A well-decorated home during this time can evoke an emotional connection with potential buyers. A cozy environment can help them imagine spending their future holidays in that very space. Additionally, homes listed during the Thanksgiving season often face less competition, as fewer properties are on the market. This can lead to more serious offers from motivated buyers.

For buyers, Thanksgiving can function as a reminder of why they are on the hunt for a new home in the first place. Perhaps they are looking for a bigger space for a growing family. They may be downsizing to retire or to simplify life. They might be looking for home to accommodate both children and aging parents simultaneously. The holiday season underscores the importance of finding a home that aligns with lifestyle needs and future goals.

In our tight real estate market, buyers still face challenges such as limited inventory and higher interest rates; however, Thanksgiving encourages a shift in perspective. Itā€™s a time to focus on gratitude for what is within reach ā€” whether itā€™s finding a starter home, securing a dream property, or taking incremental steps toward long-term, financial goals.

Interestingly, Thanksgiving weekend has become an increasingly popular time for real estate research. Families can gather around the table and begin discussing the future, including moving to a new city, upgrading their home, or purchasing an investment property. Digital tools like web searches and virtual tours can help buyers and sellers stay connected to the real estate market without disrupting their Thanksgiving traditions.

Whether you are buying or selling, Thanksgiving offers an opportunity to reflect on the role of gratitude in real estate. For buyers, itā€™s about being thankful for the chance to find a home that meets their needs, even if the journey is challenging. For sellers, itā€™s a moment to appreciate the memories made in a home while looking forward to new opportunities. 

For real estate agents and other industry professionals, Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude to clients and colleagues, build stronger relationships, and highlight the human aspect of a business often driven by transactions alone.

If you are staying put this Thanksgiving, you have a chance to celebrate your current home, no matter its size or condition. Simple gestures like decorating with fall colors, rearranging furniture for a cozy feel, or preparing a special meal can deepen your connection to your space. Inviting neighbors, friends, or family to share in the festivities can reinforce the sense of community that makes a house a home.

Whether itā€™s the home you currently have, the one youā€™re searching for, or the one you are leaving behind, each holds a unique place in your life story. Take stock of the journey so far, recognize the progress made, and look forward to the possibilities ahead.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement

Sign Up for Weekly E-Blast

Follow Us @washblade

Advertisement

Popular