Queer Gnosis: Organizing post-gay America

by Troy Williams in Queer Gnosis | 0 comments

While driving with a friend through the broken chaos of North Temple construction I flippantly asked, “What will happen to the gay political movement once we have marriage?” Without missing a beat my sardonic friend replied, “All gay men will become Republicans.” I let out a gasp, “Oh my god! What if you are right?”

I know that is a dark exaggeration. Gay men of color, lesbians and trans people will always lean left. Many white guys will always remain true blue. But this is always the lurking danger of assimilation. In America, once a marginalized group achieves a certain degree of social acceptability they inevitably swing right. And worse, they turn around and attack other marginalized groups. This is how sub-populations have traditionally demonstrated their American-ness.

In his book, A Renegade History of the United States, Thaddeus Russell explores how the newly immigrated Irish were considered “white chimps.” Jews and Italians were essentially considered “a new population of negro.” In order to achieve acceptance in our country these three groups had to distance themselves from the stigma of blacks. To become “true” Americans they were encouraged to regulate their sexual libido to harmonize with Puritan Christian values. They sought military service. They also generally began to vote conservative. This is the cycle of assimilation. And gays are right on target.

Case in point? The gender non-conforming Latina drag queens that raised hell during the early days of gay liberation are no longer the public face of gay. The marriage equality folks have replaced the gender queer with images of non-threatening, straight-acting, domesticated couples. Russell laments, “The homophile and gay marriage movements tell us that the nuclear family is the destiny for all of us.”

Gays are on the verge of having it all. Full federal equality in post-gay America will allow us marriage, military service and CEO positions in corporations like Goldman Sachs and Walmart. And the ranks of the Log Cabin will swell larger than ever. Sorry for my pessimism. I can’t hide my contempt for Republicans right now. Their non-stop attack on public schools, unions and social programs are craven and immoral. They consistently demonstrate gross contempt for democracy and the working class. To see gay men (and some women) work to build up and sustain this party is absolutely unconscionable.

I have so little respect for gay Republicans because they freely walk down paths paved by others. They were too cowardly to come out and be trailblazers when it mattered most. The early homophile movement was largely boring and ineffective. They condemned the radical flamboyant queers (literally) fighting for their rights. It is darkly ironic that gay Republicans owe their freedom today to the very people they now vilify. The first mobilization of gays in this country was under communist Harry Hay. The Stonewall Riots were led by poor Latina and black drag queens. The members of The Gay Liberation Front were socialists who called for fair redistribution of wealth from the rich to the poor. The GLF also marched to end the Vietnam War. They were also environmentalists.

And yet today’s so-called “GOProud” would denounce the politics of the great men and women whose sacrifice got them where they are today. Conservative gays support policies that have historically held our people back. And they do it without irony. But those are Republicans for you. Sarah Palin would still be an unknown mama grizzly hibernating in Alaska if it weren’t for the radical bra-burning feminists who came before her. They broke through the barriers that prevented women from being TV pundits and Twitter celebrities. Yet she wouldn’t think twice about voting away a women’s right for reproductive choice.

Can gays avoid this inevitable trajectory into repressive conservative assimilation? Yes – but it will require a new vision for organizing post-gay America. After we achieve full federal equality in all 50 states let’s encourage wealthy gays and lesbians to invest their fortunes in more worthy causes. We have a progressive infrastructure that we need to rebuild. We need to invest in a green energy revolution. Gay entrepreneurs and engineers should invest in new technology to harness wind, solar, tidal and geo-thermal power. This is a great way to harness gay wealth into a planetary-saving cause. And it may even make them richer!

The Human Rights Campaign will have the opportunity to reorganize and funnel their considerable resources into countries around the world where queers and women are stoned to death for stepping outside patriarchal boundaries. Gays throughout Africa and the Middle East are in desperate need of their advocacy.

The HRC, along with the National Center for Lesbian Rights, can provide crucial financial support here at home for gay and lesbian combat veterans suffering from extreme PTSD. Now that we can serve openly and freely we are going to have to deal with the consequences of war. High alcohol and drug abuse, homelessness, suicide and gay divorce will be even more common for our people. Perhaps it would behoove gay organizations to hoist the banner of peace and once again organize against American militarism.

In our future post-gay world we will still need to empower organizations working to combat AIDS. As the GOP continues to slash and cut social programs we will need to be vigilant so that critical Ryan White funds for low-income Americans with HIV and AIDS still remain sacrosanct. And let’s not forget Africa. The epidemic requires our global attention.

We can’t lose HRC, NCLR or Equality Utah after we win federal rights. The planet still needs them to mobilize. They can reorganize to embrace a broader vision of equality; one that includes environmental stewardship, poverty reduction, universal health care, peace activism and social justice. In doing so, they will honor the early voices of gay liberation and finally break the cycle of assimilation.

(Troy Williams is the executive producer of RadioActive on KRCL 90.9 FM.)