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Advocacy v. activism: both/and, not either/or
by Kate Childs Graham on Sep. 10, 2009
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Printer-friendly versionSend to friendPDF versionOver this past year, the movement for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights has seen great successes mixed with a few setbacks. Yes, California did not go as we had hoped, but Iowa and Vermont pulled through and now allow same-sex marriage. We are hoping the same can be said for Maine in the coming months. We are still waiting on President Barack Obama to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” but we were thrilled when he extended benefits to domestic partners of federal employees.
There is certainly much to celebrate, but we still have a long way to go. California's Prop 8 energized the masses and now more than ever the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, or LGBT, community and allies are rallying for change. To capitalize on this renewed energy, activists are planning a National Equality March in Washington on Columbus Day weekend.
But not everyone involved in the LGBT rights movement is behind this march. Those opposed to the march, such as Toni Broaddus of Equality Federation, the national alliance of state-based equality groups, think that the LGBT movement’s time, energy and money could be better spent on changing legislation rather than bolstering public support. They think that this march, scheduled to take place on a weekend when legislators will be in recess, is untimely and unnecessary. Basically, for them, it comes down to a question of advocacy versus activism.
This argument has escalated over the past few months in the LGBT movement -- and the past few decades in other civil rights movements. And while some organizations and individuals are taking stances at one polar end or another, many are asking “Why not both?” And, why not?
The movement for LGBT rights alone gives us ample examples as to why we need to change the minds and hearts of both legislators and citizens. When legislators are swayed to do the right thing, we get Vermont, we get Connecticut. When people are unconvinced, we get California or worse, we get Laramie.
Certainly, advocacy is a vital aspect to creating change in this country. We need laws that ensure equal rights in all matters for all people. And the way to do that is through advocacy. It’s through picking up the phone and calling, writing letters and scheduling meetings with your legislators. It’s about supporting the laws that need supporting and blocking the ones that do not bring about true justice.
However, advocacy would be nothing without activism and vice versa. Activists are able to get to the minds and hearts of everyday citizens. And history has shown that change has become possible not only when brave legislators stand behind unpopular legislation, though that certainly has happened, but mainly when citizens call for change and legislators heed the calls of their constituents.
As a hopeless Trinitarian, I’d argue that there is a third piece to bringing about real change: direct service. Here, too, the LGBT community has examples. LGBT youth around the country are experiencing discrimination, isolation and sometimes even abuse. Centers and programs for LGBT youth have sprung up around the country to support these young people. Certainly, these centers and other places like them are in need of volunteers to lend their hands to supporting these youth. Service is just one more way to bring about change by impacting lives directly.
Together, by marching and lobbying, by changing hearts and changing legislation, by serving those who need it most, I have hope that change will come about for the LGBT community and our country as a whole. The key word being “together.” We cannot risk division over debates over which came first, the chicken or the egg, legislation or public support. We must support each other’s strengths and passions -- whether those are in advocacy, activism or service -- knowing that we share the same vision for the future.
Kate Childs Graham writes for ReligionDispatches.org and YoungAdultCatholics-Blog.com. She also serves on the Women’s Ordination Conference board of directors and the Call to Action Next Generation Leadership Team.
Right on, Kate!
Right on, Kate!
I would say all movements
I would say all movements need all the parts. Some activities fit one person more than another so it's wrong to say to only do this or that unless by spreading out in all directions there aren't enough to do anything well.
Excellent article, Kate!
Excellent article, Kate! Keep up the good work...
Pax. Aristophilos
Wow, I'm stunned and touched.
Wow, I'm stunned and touched.
Lovely letter, well done.
Thank-you, Kate, for
Thank-you, Kate, for reminding us of the options and what advocates, activists, and social service agencies can do. I agree that all are needed, and would add that each of us need to decipher our gifts of how to add our voice and time to the issues that pull at our hears. Some may be able to do one of these while others can devote their time to all. You are right; we need all gifts and methods for change in the face of discrimination and violation of human rights.
I also wanted to support a part of LGBT direct service and advocacy that often gets neglected--most certainly in the general population and also by the LGBT community themselves: Aging members of the LGBT community. I am passionate about working with older adults and have found my gifts and professional experience supporting my local SAGE: Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders. Their national site is http://www.sageusa.org/index.cfm, and here is a quick excerpt of why LGBT Elders must not be forgotten in our youth oriented culture: "LGBT seniors often avoid seeking needed services out of fear of discrimination. The tendency for LGBT seniors to go "back in the closet" is particularly pronounced in situations where they are most vulnerable - such as when accessing home health care or residing in assisted living or residential care facilities...This type of social isolation has an enormous impact in the health and wellbeing of LGBT seniors. With LGBT seniors twice as likely to live alone than heterosexual seniors, more than four times as likely to have no children, the informal caregiving support we assume is in place for older adults may not be there for LGBT elders." I would also add that the lack of marriage equality rights profoundly effects older LGBT couples because they are considered strangers in the law and therefore are denied Social Security Survivor Benefits, access to their loved one in the hospital, and estates that may go to a distant relative instead of the parter--often leaving him or her homeless..
Thanks again for bringing up this important issue!
How about we start with
How about we start with writing letters to the Diocese of Portland, Maine, for taking up a second collection in order to defeat civil marriage rights for same-sex couples?
http://www.portlanddiocese.net/contact_submit.php
Joetx, your point is not
Joetx, your point is not clear. Are you suggesting we write letters supporting the diocese's second collection to fund opposition to the civil marriage rights bill? Or are you suggesting we write letters opposing it?
Kate, Three cheers for your
Kate,
Three cheers for your brave inclusion of the GLBT community. Awesome article!! While our Catholic Churches have the "Welcome Home" program, I aways wonder how many of our GLBT brothers and sisters wound come back if our church was more welcoming to them as well. How easy it is to hate and discriminate when you think you are doing it in the name of God. I, as well, feel the call to be an advocate by sharing inclusive media(books, movies & articles) with friends and family who struggle between with exclusive church law/ practices vs Christ's persistance on inclusion. I felt a personal "coming out" and literally was scared when I choose to finally speak up with my own voice. I submitted a letter to the editor in support of the GLBT basic human rights in my state. Sad to say, it was the Christains( including the voice of the area Catholic Bishop) who killed the equality bill .In my neck of the woods, being a GLBT support is NOT compatible with being a good Catholic. It is so much easier to go with the flow, or at least, keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself. That way, you look holy and worthy to the larger group. We need more straight supports who are still within the church. I can't begin to tell you the # of GLBT I have met who are former Catholics. We must speak up. They have every right to sit at the church banquet table. Jesus was crucified because he included EVERYONE. Love over law every single time. How christains don't GET that point is amazing. While I can not change church laws
(especially being a woman), I can speak up for more just civic laws for our GLBT family. Thanks again Kate for writing so clearly the inclusion God has gifted my heart to feel.
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