Today, I had the pleasure of addressing a class of MSW students at the University of Pittsburgh. The class focuses on policy and I used my work in the LGBTQ community to illustrate how advocacy can drive real social change. It was an interesting experience. Another speaker works for local government and a third is a private consultant on governmental affairs. Three very different perspectives.
The panel gave me the luxury of revisiting some of my older posts as I searched for good examples of letters to the editors of local papers (and accompanying commentary I could distrbute to a classroom). I also went back to the March 2008 Blog for Equality campaign which I think included 14 local bloggers and was the brainchild of local blogger, Bram from The Pittsburgh Comet. Hard to believe it was just one year ago we were gearing off to beat back a Marriage Amendment. Our Allegheny County Human Rights Ordinance may be stuck in committee, but at least we are focused on creating positive legislation instead of simply warding off another attack. That's progress.
My presentation today focused on building relationships with and educating our elected officials, the media and the general public. I discussed some fundamentals of lobbying and media relations, but I hope my key point was clear — we must come out of our closets to create real social change. We must come out as members of the LGBTQ community and as family and friends of the LGBTQ community. I was reminded briefly today of the price of being out and, while regretable, we cannot allow bigotry to stand in the way of progress.
Western Pennsylvania faces many challenges in the struggle to organize for this type of social change. Someone asked me this morning why we cannot seem to get our act together and I just don't have an answer. I have to take some ownership for my part in the breakdown because my patience has been wearing more and more thin as the years roll by. I'm weary of the same broken promises and unfullfilled plans. I'm also tired of being scapegoated for having an opinion that doesn't conform to organizational expectations. Finally, there is just the simple exhaustion of defending systems and structures that aren't working.
It is too tempting to wallow in self-pity and despair. I still believe the fight is worth, well, the fight. I still believe you deserve to know what is really happening behind the scenes so you can make informed decisions about how to join the fight. And I still believe that I have the right to express my own opinion, not the responsibility to be the mouthpiece for others.
It would be great to see some other LGBT bloggers begin to emerge. For those of you wanting to do something for the community, give blogging some consideration. You are your own boss. You pick your agenda. You'll get readers simply because there aren't many of doing it. Blog a little each day and folks will come back to read what you have to say. You might even change some minds. NetRoots Nation is coming to town in August (national blogging convention) and I'm working with the LGBT Blogging Initiative and the LGBT Blogging Caucus to organize the welcome reception. It promises to be a doozy. I actually feel kind of guilty that my main queer activity for the coming months will be a party instead of “real” advocacy, but maybe the party will inspire some new people to start blogging.
Here's hoping.
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As long as you keep blogging, I'll keep reading. I hope that helps.
As long as you keep blogging, I'll keep reading. I hope that helps.
I do not think we need more bloggers. We need more information. I mentioned in another comment that there is no current gay business directory. When all these gay bloggers come to town, wouldn't it be great if they knew which local businesses welcome them? Anyone will take their dollars, but that is not the same thing at all.
I do not think we need more bloggers. We need more information. I mentioned in another comment that there is no current gay business directory. When all these gay bloggers come to town, wouldn't it be great if they knew which local businesses welcome them? Anyone will take their dollars, but that is not the same thing at all.
I have thought about starting a blog, but I doubt I could keep up with it. I like to read the national blogs, but this one is also nice because it feels intimate and personal without too much navel gazing. Most people are bitter when they are disillusioned. You still seem hopeful. I'm not sure I could blog for three years and still find something to be hopeful about. I've been on local boards and attended far too many community meetings to keep track of, Sue. It is easy to give up and lord knows there are plenty of jerks in charge of some of the local ships right now. There must be a reason this has stuck with you. A reason we are stuck with you?
Just keep blogging. Don't try to change the system. Just write about it. Don't defend systems that don't work. Just tell us why you think they don't work. You've been doing that for three years and doing a damn fine job. Not too much naval gazing. Just the way we like it.
If it helps, Sue, we are still reading. Keep that in mind and get a good night's sleep.
I have thought about starting a blog, but I doubt I could keep up with it. I like to read the national blogs, but this one is also nice because it feels intimate and personal without too much navel gazing. Most people are bitter when they are disillusioned. You still seem hopeful. I'm not sure I could blog for three years and still find something to be hopeful about. I've been on local boards and attended far too many community meetings to keep track of, Sue. It is easy to give up and lord knows there are plenty of jerks in charge of some of the local ships right now. There must be a reason this has stuck with you. A reason we are stuck with you?
Just keep blogging. Don't try to change the system. Just write about it. Don't defend systems that don't work. Just tell us why you think they don't work. You've been doing that for three years and doing a damn fine job. Not too much naval gazing. Just the way we like it.
If it helps, Sue, we are still reading. Keep that in mind and get a good night's sleep.
This just isn't a priority. The small gay business owners probably cannot afford the advertising to make this kind of publication viable. Someone on the Queer Events list is putting together an informal directory. Ask there. A good idea, just not good timing.
This just isn't a priority. The small gay business owners probably cannot afford the advertising to make this kind of publication viable. Someone on the Queer Events list is putting together an informal directory. Ask there. A good idea, just not good timing.
Maybe the problem is that you are protecting people and keeping secrets even while you tell us how frustrated you are. You owe us the truth, not self-pity. Instead of all these dramatic allusions to the secret nature of the gay political scene, how about some good old fashioned truth.
What's the deal with the rally? How hard is it to rent a bus and pick a departure date? Where do we sign up? I'm not interested in being on a bus with pornographers who may have played a part in murdering a man. So what are my options?
I think you are being too nice because you know we need something to believe in. We are grown up enough to handle the truth. Can you?
Maybe the problem is that you are protecting people and keeping secrets even while you tell us how frustrated you are. You owe us the truth, not self-pity. Instead of all these dramatic allusions to the secret nature of the gay political scene, how about some good old fashioned truth.
What's the deal with the rally? How hard is it to rent a bus and pick a departure date? Where do we sign up? I'm not interested in being on a bus with pornographers who may have played a part in murdering a man. So what are my options?
I think you are being too nice because you know we need something to believe in. We are grown up enough to handle the truth. Can you?
At least the porno kings use email. Their foundation sends a ton of stuff out and they are front and center on every political thing. I mean it does suggest that they really have paid off the mayor, but you can't argue that they aren't using online tools to promote their cause.
At least the porno kings use email. Their foundation sends a ton of stuff out and they are front and center on every political thing. I mean it does suggest that they really have paid off the mayor, but you can't argue that they aren't using online tools to promote their cause.
Maybe you should get someone else to blog with you here instead of creating a whole new blog?
Maybe you should get someone else to blog with you here instead of creating a whole new blog?
Jewels,
At first glance I want to agree with you that it might be cleansing for a moment to “out” politicians or people who may walk a line on the political scene. However couldn't that also be dangerous to Sue? Because it is so politically volatile, could, maybe do more harm than good for the effort? Could it hurt innocent people who don't deserve to be hurt? I don't know enough about it to make that determination. I can sense the frustration and with that has to come fear at some level.
I read this blog and I feel such a sense of commonality of experience in a totally unrelated way to sexuality. This is one reason I keep reading.
Jewels you have captured a very good point in that you have members of the male gay community who have become financial power brokers of this area, movers and shakers who are driving a movement in a direction that is not particularly desired by the entire gay community. This leads me to wonder that this is more an issue of possibly women and class. Women who historically make less, have less power across the board and of class, of a community gay or straight who cannot have their voices heard and their priorities addressed. Average gay people, average, law abiding couples and family? I am just vocalizing my thoughts. Feel free to respond.
Jewels,
At first glance I want to agree with you that it might be cleansing for a moment to “out” politicians or people who may walk a line on the political scene. However couldn't that also be dangerous to Sue? Because it is so politically volatile, could, maybe do more harm than good for the effort? Could it hurt innocent people who don't deserve to be hurt? I don't know enough about it to make that determination. I can sense the frustration and with that has to come fear at some level.
I read this blog and I feel such a sense of commonality of experience in a totally unrelated way to sexuality. This is one reason I keep reading.
Jewels you have captured a very good point in that you have members of the male gay community who have become financial power brokers of this area, movers and shakers who are driving a movement in a direction that is not particularly desired by the entire gay community. This leads me to wonder that this is more an issue of possibly women and class. Women who historically make less, have less power across the board and of class, of a community gay or straight who cannot have their voices heard and their priorities addressed. Average gay people, average, law abiding couples and family? I am just vocalizing my thoughts. Feel free to respond.
Women and class, absolutely. Look what happened with the Dyke March last year when they didn't want a corporate sponsor. Delta washed their hands of the group and the Lambda Foundation stepped in to keep this infant group going. Then two board members of Delta resigned. Two women. And since then we've heard nothing about their board.
Whatever happened to Loni McCartney?
Women and class, absolutely. Look what happened with the Dyke March last year when they didn't want a corporate sponsor. Delta washed their hands of the group and the Lambda Foundation stepped in to keep this infant group going. Then two board members of Delta resigned. Two women. And since then we've heard nothing about their board.
Whatever happened to Loni McCartney?
It really is sad, but Anonymous is right. The white male dominated bar/sex business is always on the cutting edge in Pittsburgh because our community is basically supported by that whole industry. They are operating from a business model so they make it their business to use new forms of communication and promotion. I'm surprised I haven't been Facebooked by the bars sending me drink specials. It only makes sense that they transfer this to their foundation. It works. Can't blame them for doing what works.
The trouble is that the grassroots groups just don't get it. I am on several email lists and I haven't seen a thing about this rally. I'm not going to ask my boss for a day off without some more information. I also don't want to support Club Pittsburgh by riding on their bus. I'm not going to legitimize their alleged criminal behavior by supporting their foundation. I'm staying far away from that group. If someone else gets a bus together, maybe I'll attend but it sure better happen soon.
It really is sad, but Anonymous is right. The white male dominated bar/sex business is always on the cutting edge in Pittsburgh because our community is basically supported by that whole industry. They are operating from a business model so they make it their business to use new forms of communication and promotion. I'm surprised I haven't been Facebooked by the bars sending me drink specials. It only makes sense that they transfer this to their foundation. It works. Can't blame them for doing what works.
The trouble is that the grassroots groups just don't get it. I am on several email lists and I haven't seen a thing about this rally. I'm not going to ask my boss for a day off without some more information. I also don't want to support Club Pittsburgh by riding on their bus. I'm not going to legitimize their alleged criminal behavior by supporting their foundation. I'm staying far away from that group. If someone else gets a bus together, maybe I'll attend but it sure better happen soon.
That is a good point. By participating in all these little Delta Foundation projects, we are supporting Club Pittsburgh. People need to be clear on that choice. I'm not comfortable using money from pornography to subsidize gay rights. It is kind of like laundering money. I'd rather do it the old fashioned way.
That is a good point. By participating in all these little Delta Foundation projects, we are supporting Club Pittsburgh. People need to be clear on that choice. I'm not comfortable using money from pornography to subsidize gay rights. It is kind of like laundering money. I'd rather do it the old fashioned way.
To be fair, if you want to show your support for Club Pittsburgh you should support Delta Foundation. That's the flip side of the coin.
To be fair, if you want to show your support for Club Pittsburgh you should support Delta Foundation. That's the flip side of the coin.
Haven't we got enough unfinished business here in Pgh? The Mayor's council, the count bill ,,, what about those? Do we just jump because these folks say it it time to change directions? These are the same people crowing about the city domestic registry and what good has that done? I say enough is enough. We aren't some traveling freakshow. We deserve our so called leaders to FINISH something before they start a new project. This is the most infuriating thing I've read in a long time. Like I have nothing better to do than to participate ina rally to make them look good. Fucking bullshit. You finish up those two other projects first and then ask me for more
Haven't we got enough unfinished business here in Pgh? The Mayor's council, the count bill ,,, what about those? Do we just jump because these folks say it it time to change directions? These are the same people crowing about the city domestic registry and what good has that done? I say enough is enough. We aren't some traveling freakshow. We deserve our so called leaders to FINISH something before they start a new project. This is the most infuriating thing I've read in a long time. Like I have nothing better to do than to participate ina rally to make them look good. Fucking bullshit. You finish up those two other projects first and then ask me for more
You are wrong. We are a traveling freakshow. That's the amen truth.
You are wrong. We are a traveling freakshow. That's the amen truth.
As usual there is no actual meaningful information in the comment section of this blog.
If you want to find out about the people who will be running for election in local & state elections go to http://www.steel-city.org
As usual there is no actual meaningful information in the comment section of this blog.
If you want to find out about the people who will be running for election in local & state elections go to http://www.steel-city.org
That has got to be the most offensive invitation to visit a website that I have ever received. You need to go back to Outreach 101, buddy. Or go read another blog.
That has got to be the most offensive invitation to visit a website that I have ever received. You need to go back to Outreach 101, buddy. Or go read another blog.
Sue,
Do you see the irony of suggesting new people start blogging when you are telling us that you, a pretty well connected lesbian and established blogger, have trouble getting information?
Missy
Sue,
Do you see the irony of suggesting new people start blogging when you are telling us that you, a pretty well connected lesbian and established blogger, have trouble getting information?
Missy
Is the information meaningless or are you really saying the people who don't agree with you are meaningless?
Is the information meaningless or are you really saying the people who don't agree with you are meaningless?