We all remember learning in grammar school that if a=b and b=c, then a=c. I think the LGBT community should use the transitive property to imbue our political decisions.
The San Diego mayoral candidacy of Carl DeMaio is a great place to start.
Gay candidate accepts donations from right wing leaders who do not believe in LGBT equality = promotion of LGBT discrimination; promotion of LGBT discrimination = no LGBT voter support; then a gay candidate accepting donations from right-wing leaders who do not believe in LGBT equality = no LGBT voter support.
It’s as simple as a=b=c.
This same property can be applied to the Chick-fil-A situation.
Corporate donations to LGBT hate groups = promotion of LGBT discrimination; promotion of LGBT discrimination = LGBT protests; then corporate donations to LGBT hate groups = LGBT protests.
Unfortunately, the religious right successfully took hold of the messaging around Chick-fil-A. They say, support of traditional marriage = free speech; free speech = a fundamental right; then support of traditional marriage = a fundamental right.
The right-wing’s success has made the Chick-fil-A situation a PR fiasco for the LGBT community. We lost control of the public relations messaging. What happened? As opposed to focusing on donations to nationally recognized hate groups, many activists, bloggers and members of the LGBT media focused on marriage equality.
The right-wing took a page from the French philosopher Voltaire when approaching the Chick-fil-A boycott; Voltaire supposedly said, “I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Unfortunately, the right-wing also agreed with what was being said.
Voltaire’s idea does not apply when speaking about all groups. Can you imagine if Chick-fil-A had made anti-African American or anti-Semitic remarks? The media flogging would have been unprecedented. It is still OK for a large business owner to make anti-LGBT remarks and donations with no consequences; and politicians get a pass as well. This tells you we are far from being equal.
If you think the situations with Carl DeMaio and Chick-fil-A are not opposite sides of the same coin, think again. You cannot be upset about Chick-fil-A’s stance against LGBT equality, if you accept that DeMaio accepts large donations and support from the same forces.
I have a prediction:
Gay mayoral candidate Carl DeMaio accepting donations and touting the support of anti-LGBT equality right-wingers like Roger Hedgecock, “Lysol” Larry Stirling and Brian Caster = selling out; selling out = election loss; gay mayoral candidate Carl DeMaio accepting donations and touting the support of anti-LGBT equality right-wingers like Roger Hedgecock, “Lysol” Larry Stirling and Brian Caster = election loss.
I really love the transitive property of equality; it makes political decisions so clear.
QED.
STAMPP CORBIN
PUBLISHER
San Diego LGBT Weekly
@BobFilnerMayor on UT-TV 08/09/2012 discussing Chargers Stadium, Nathan Fletcher, and Mayoral Debate. @UTSanDiego
http://bcove.me/2bv62nhz
Great new Vimeo video with @BobFilnerMayor as “The Fighter “ by Gym Class Heroes.
http://vimeo.com/47283378 #SDMayor
In the US, there is a resurgence in gay bashing. It is more sophisticated and subtle, and phrased differently, but the message is the same. A gay mayoral candidate taking money from people with vehemently anti-gay leanings is gay bashing. He is just as guilty as the killers of Matthew Shepard. There are no “degrees” to this fight for equality. The Right is toning down the overt attacks (for the most part) and they have become very good at phrasing there message of hate. Carl is a hater, an arrogant, disdainful candidate who does have enough integrity to stand up for his own. He doesn’t care about the :GBT community, he cares about winning, no matter the cost. He is the worst kind of politician, and a DANGER to the LGBT community. He will not stand with us on any “social” issue if he were elected. Imagine that, a gay mayor who has stated publicly that he will avoid any LGBT issues. He is a sellout. He is beneath contempt.
Please forgive the previous post, sent before I proofread it.
In the US, there is a resurgence in gay bashing. It is more sophisticated and subtle, and phrased differently, but the message is the same. A gay mayoral candidate taking money from people with vehemently anti-gay leanings is gay bashing. He is just as guilty as the killers of Matthew Shepard. There are no “degrees” to this fight for equality. The Right is toning down the overt attacks (for the most part) and they have become very good at phrasing their message of hate. Carl is a hater, an arrogant, disdainful candidate who does not have enough integrity to stand up for his own. He doesn’t care about the LGBT community, he cares about winning, no matter the cost. He is the worst kind of politician, and a DANGER to the LGBT community. He will not stand with us on any “social” issue if he were elected. Imagine that, a gay mayor who has stated publicly that he will avoid any LGBT issues, a mayor who has specifically excluded a class of people from his attention and protection. He is a sellout. He is beneath contempt.