Another Day...

So much to say, let's dive in. Thank you, “fagtasia” for your comment in the previous post. Being a resident of Los Angeles County where the vote was split 50/50and essentially losing the measure for the gay community, I feel fully qualified to identify some key factors and problems with the outcome. As for your statement of not doing enough I completely agree. I did not do enough. I don't think any of us did. And that is the problem.

And that harsh reality has hit the community. Finally, galvanizing what once was an apathetic affluent minority. We now realize that we are indeed marginalized, and that neither money nor the law will save us. So what is the next course of action?

One was the rally in the heart of West Hollywood last night. I attended, wanting to see what would be said about the past and the future. There was definitely a feeling amongst the crowd I had not felt before. It was far from the boozey elation felt during Pride, because the feeling was not pride. It was anger! And I for one am happy to see this. We have been such a passive group. We attempt to fight illogical rational with reason and to buy equality through legality. I truly believe we must change the minds of the majority, for any laws to pass and furthermore be enforced.

Now bear with me on this tangent. What got the ball rolling for the Civil Rights movement was an image seen by America, on their television sets, of a high pressure water hose battering a small girl in the South. Once people saw the injustice in a physical, palpable form they began to change. Empathy took hold. We have no empathy from the opposition, obviously. But there is little from the undecided and slight supporters. I say this as they are my family, my friends, and my co-workers. The ones that are not gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender (amendment: I should have also said full on straight "allies" as well, to counterpoint my previous terminolgy of "slight") - never quite get it. And I feel this is perhaps where the community’s efforts should be focused. We have to make them see us as lacking in some way. But how can we do this with a black tie gala?

So in light of this I am glad with what happened after the rally in West Hollywood. Because while I feel the gathering in on our own backyard was comforting, it did nothing to sway outsiders. This is where the march through Hollywood became amazing. The news outlets call it an act of civil disobedience. Well thank God. We have been civil and obedient until now. What has that done for us?

So I guess my call to action is for everyone that sees this to start brainstorming. Let’s come up with something new, because the old regime is not working. Post, blog, rant, rave. We can overcome!

http://www.insidesocal.com/outinhollywood/

http://flamingpolitics.com/2008/11/06/developing-los-angeles-police-department-attacks-prop-8-protesters/