Gay is NOT the New Black
by In the wake of California’s passage of Proposition eight there have been comparisons between the Gay rights movement and the African-Americans fight for equality.
Gay is not the new black. Some Gay rights activists seem to think their cause or struggle for equality is parallel to the civil rights movements by black Americans in the 1960’s.
Since the passage of Proposition 8 in California, Gay activist have been protesting the outcome of the vote. At their protests or marches they display signs and banners that may be reminiscent of the civil rights movement of the 60’s, but that’s where the comparision ends. Gay oppression is nowhere as extreme as what black people have experienced. Almost all Gay people have a choice of passing as a gay person or not. They have a chioce whether or not to subject themselves to the scrutiny of that life style. Very few black people have the choice to be other that themselves (a black person). Of course we shouldn’t have to make that choice any way. We should all be able to live in a society that accepts all people.
The civil rights movement of the 60’s was fundamentally about racial discrimination against black people. It was also about white people trying to protect white privilege and wealth. Whereas the Gay civil rights struggle is about preventing discrimination based on who you choose to love.
Gay people should have the same rights as all other Americans. Their struggle is real, but the comparison of their struggle for equality to that of Black Americans is really absurd.
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Post CommentTrey Hendry
On December 7, 2008 at 2:19 pm
I don’t think so. The fights blacks and other minorities protested were those on social levels, the same as gays and lesbians today. Very few (if any) gay people would say that the want the scrutiny of that lifestyle. Many people are racist and homophobic backing the same source for racism as a valid source for LGBT discrimination. Noteworthy causes like the Civil Rights movement had black leaders, but other minorities benefited also. All people of color and later on as interracial couples who were cleared of any wrongdoing from Supreme Court Judges.
I agree with you. Gay is not the new black. Gay is not the new anything. With religious decrees from ancient text dating back way before Christ, Gay is the new revolution. Gay people cross all color lines, beliefs and classes and will continue doing so until the end of time. Churches and fundamentalist should have no more leeway over their marriage licenses as the do gay driver’s licenses.
This is a moot point. People signify the Black Civil Rights movement as they would a biblical myth, but I wonder how many blacks lesbian and gays were there holding signs because they believed no one should be discriminated based on shallow conservative views.
Being gay or lesbian is about as changeable as skin color. You can buy bleach and other skin whiteners to change your skin tone… but I wouldn’t advise changing who you are for anyone. The question people really should be asking is do they want gay people to marry heterosexuals since very few people (probably 0.001 %) after reparative therapy avoid same sex tendencies.
Your blog is a triviality. Refocus, Research, or resign.