But what are the “take home” messages from what happened in Bloomfield (both the beating and the rally), and how do we see continuing benefits for our diverse community and the city as a whole? So here are my take home messages.
It is especially important for LGBTQ Americans to take notice of this. We are already treated as second class citizens, and historically, we have moved through periods of history where the very act of loving another was a crime. In the not too distant past, some far right conservatives wanted to round up all the gays and put them in camps as a way to protect others from AIDS.
The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) is really not that at all. They would be more accurate, if they renamed themselves, the National Organization against GLBT folks, but NOAGLBTF is much harder to get out of your mouth quickly.
While I do not have all the details, Veruca, who was attacked says that the Pleasure Bar was helpful to her, unlike what another Pittsburgh blogger is reporting.
There is nothing wrong with Christianity nor most Christians, but when our elected officials are taking actions to remove rights from people because “God placed me in this powerful position,” there is a really big problem.
First, we have to come to terms with what we really want as progressives? If the answer is to vote for the most progressive candidates we can find in the Primary, we may vote one way. But I believe that if what we want is to create an environment where we can continue to move progressive issues forward for the next 8 years, then we may act differently in the primary,
The method for dealing with lies and misinformation has to be to counter them by calling out the lies and offering real information instead. L+G+B+T matters when we all raise our voices together against any of the weapons of lies and misinformation directed at any of us individually.
There may be a hundred different things that can be added to this list, but the important point is- do it. Don’t sit back waiting for someone else to do it.
In other cities, the Stonewall Democrats are a force within the Democratic party, as it should be here. For that to happen, it will need to be a group that welcomes and values the views of many, not just the views of those who see things exactly like some of their more vocal officers and members.
DAY of SILENCE : April 16, 2010.