Quote:
Originally Posted by EnderD_503
Yeah, I really think the next real struggle for the queer community is going to be (and probably already is) really getting out there and talking about why gaining marriage equality may not have actually meant that much for queer rights. Obviously, every person should have the same rights as others so that if a straight cis couple are legally able to marry, then same-sex couples and trans people should also be able to marry legally. At the same time, there need to be more discussions on why promoting or implying that monogamous, traditional marriages/relationships with the intent to marry is somehow more "natural," "acceptable," and "meaningful" than other relationships are harmful ideas to continue to promote. We're just supporting the same social framework that allowed queer folks to be seen as "unnatural" and hated to begin with.
And I agree, a lot of spaces do really make it hard for people to talk about. I remember a few months ago, myself and a few others trying to explain to a "queer ally" why we objected to the normalisation of same-sex marriage. Basically, he thought we were homophobic and oppressive, and that we were trying to say that people shouldn't have equal rights (which isn't what we were saying at all). It's unfortunate that that reaction happens a lot.
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I have been saying for years that marriage equality is the last thing that should be on the 'gay agenda'. You can just imagine how well liked I am in many (if not most) of the non-marginalized segments of the G & L communities. I see the marriage agenda as just more assimilation and tolerance. I'm more about liberation and acceptance. Many years ago Urvashi Vaid wrote a great book
Virtual Equality: The Mainstreaming of Gay and Lesbian Liberation . It's a must read.
....end of my derail......