Building a Cohesive & Politically EFFECTIVE B-F LGBTIQ Alliance

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by Rockinonahigh

Hear we have a pflag and a pace (political actvist gay group)im on both mailing list but as things hear usely are,not much is or has gone on.We just had mid term elections and reelected our city mayor,who last year gave ppl who work for the city that are glbt protection against job loss or harrasment of any kind because of being queer..I even think he gave them medical benefits.retirements ect.Suposedly Bossier city,right across the river said they have a simular policy..its the first time ive herd of it being I lived there most of my life and,untill now ,have been unaware of it.Many times I have thought about trying to run for political office but doubt I can get the backing of the glbt community to do so..I mean if I cant get backing from my own glbt ppl it will be a moot point to run..u can bet it will come up in the process of runing for office.We have much appathy in the community that it will take a lot to change the set minds hear,I have spoken to many about such things but the anser I get over all is..It dosent make any diffrents what we do..we arent in a place that the religious right dosnt put a stop to anything to do with the glbt ppl..so why bother.

I often think about how it is in places like you are in! A very good reason for having a place such as this site to be able to communicate with each other! I grew up (middle-school and HS years) in a small Northern CA town and have to say that there was much the same going on. So many people believe that all of CA is open to queerdom and more progressive politically- that is just not true.

And these are the places that we need to open up! Plus, I keep wanting to re-locate in a more rural setting. I miss a more quiet life. One of the things I keep thinking about is that when I am able to make a move, it is important that I make contacts with "our people" (meaning the B-F aspects of the LGBTIQ populations) before moving. The Planet provides a way to do this. Supah'!!

It seems like some of our members (like the administrators, but there are others) have made progress with being able to relocate to a more rural setting, yet, be political and themselves. I admire the folks here that do this and hope I develop what it takes as an older person to do this. I love SF and the Bay Area due to it being more open, but, the pace is not for me, overall. And it has a high cost of living which as a retired person, cuts into my ability to travel more and just do things I enjoy doing that do have fees, etc. LOL... I am just at one of those "simplify" stages in life, I think.

Thanks for your input.

[Dragonfly]

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

I often think about how it is in places like you are in! A very good reason for having a place such as this site to be able to communicate with each other! I grew up (middle-school and HS years) in a small Northern CA town and have to say that there was much the same going on. So many people believe that all of CA is open to queerdom and more progressive politically- that is just not true.

And these are the places that we need to open up! Plus, I keep wanting to re-locate in a more rural setting. I miss a more quiet life. One of the things I keep thinking about is that when I am able to make a move, it is important that I make contacts with "our people" (meaning the B-F aspects of the LGBTIQ populations) before moving. The Planet provides a way to do this. Supah'!!

It seems like some of our members (like the administrators, but there are others) have made progress with being able to relocate to a more rural setting, yet, be political and themselves. I admire the folks here that do this and hope I develop what it takes as an older person to do this. I love SF and the Bay Area due to it being more open, but, the pace is not for me, overall. And it has a high cost of living which as a retired person, cuts into my ability to travel more and just do things I enjoy doing that do have fees, etc. LOL... I am just at one of those "simplify" stages in life, I think.

Thanks for your input.

I think we would see an huge influx of activity from rural areas if folks from the larger communities start relocating AND staying committed to fostering new growth politically. Imagine if fifty strong experienced leader types were to move into the rural areas across this country and create a structured organized outlet for those of us scattered away from the big cities... !!

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by Dragonfly

I think we would see an huge influx of activity from rural areas if folks from the larger communities start relocating AND staying committed to fostering new growth politically. Imagine if fifty strong experienced leader types were to move into the rural areas across this country and create a structured organized outlet for those of us scattered away from the big cities... !!

WOW and YES!!

I am going to relocate myself- hopefully within a year or two. My roots have been calling me back to a much more quiet and simple existence. I have wanted to do this for a time, now, yet, I have always thought about how rural areas and being queer can be so difficult!

However, it is this very site with input from a lot of people that are effecting change and building coalitions in more rural places that has made me realize that I can move to an area that suits me better internally and have community around me and still be involved in the things that matter to me.