I understand the magnetic allure of Washington, DC. I worked there for several years and it could, at times, be mesmerizing. I’ve attended press conferences on the steps of Capitol Hill with Ted Kennedy and marveled that I was standing next to the real icon, not a replica from Madame Tussauds wax museum. I have stood only a stone’s throw from President Clinton, as he greeted foreign dignitaries on the White House lawn. (I might have actually thrown the stones at Bush)
It makes one feel, well, important.
From a media perspective, there is also nothing like being swept into the tidal wave of presidential politics. Last year, I made national news by slamming candidate Barack Obama for sponsoring a South Carolina gospel tour featuring “ex-gay” singer Donnie McClurkin. My second foray into the spotlight involved Sarah Palin’s church promotion of an “ex-gay” conference in Anchorage.
Getting thrust into the national storyline means hundreds of news stories that feature your name and the bright lights of television. Of course, such massive media hits are important and serve a larger purpose. But, the downside is our movement can become intoxicated with Washington at the expense of broader issues.
Let me be clear, it is crucial that the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender movement have a strong voice in Washington. It is vital that we support our national lobby groups. Solutions at the federal level are often preferable because they apply to conservative states where it may take decades to achieve equality.
Still, this past week underscored how the gay movement’s engagement with Washington has become an unhealthy obsession. I have seen hundreds of articles and e-mails with people opining on Obama, the Democrats and the gay movement. (I’m as guilty as anyone else. Indeed, my column last week was about the administration’s timidity on gay issues)
It seems every person wants to be the star of Meet the Press, every activist is now Chris Matthews and we are all experts at political chess, prattling endlessly in the cyber salon about the machinations of the administration. Everyone with a computer is now a master strategist and can regurgitate the records of previously obscure members of Congress.
Political discourse has become an aphrodisiac that has seduced our community away from equally important issues. Perhaps it is time we go into rehab and free ourselves from the Washington crack pipe. It is a cheap high that rarely lasts and often leaves us broke and unsatisfied.
We all wanted King Obama to sweep into office, wave his magic wand and make discrimination disappear. I really wish he would, but it is clear that he won’t – or at least not as quick as we desire. So, why don’t we pry ourselves away from DC for a moment and try using our resources in alternative ways?
Anyone remember AIDS?
Ever hear of the multi-million dollar ex-gay industry that pumps out reams of propaganda to portray gay people as sick and “sexually broken?” Few people seem to notice, even though these groups spread harmful myths and poisonous stereotypes that impact our daily lives.
What about increasing funds to help GLBT youths who are thrown out of their homes? Or, scholarships, so these teens can succeed in life and maybe one day run for Congress?
How about focusing on the abuses against GLBT people overseas?
The aforementioned issues will not get you on a Congressman’s speed dial. It is unlikely that you will win a sparkling trophy or have a marble bust made of your head. The cable shows may not be dialing you at a frenzied pace. But, you might have a disproportionately positive impact and even save a few lives.
The other problem with our political addiction is that it breeds bad messaging. We are coming across as a powerful lobby that is demanding action as payback for money and votes. While there is a place for such muscle flexing, it masks our true agenda.
The immediacy of our cause has to do with the trauma we all faced as children. Now that we are strong, we don’t want one more GLBT teen to commit suicide while Congress dithers. It is unconscionable for another youth who dreams of serving his or her country to be turned away while Obama plots his reelection. It is an insult – right down to the core of our soul – when our government tells us that we can’t marry the person we love.
Our movement is not about Obama’s career, nor the happenings in Congress. What we seek is to reclaim our basic dignity and end needless suffering – both goals that one is unlikely to achieve solely in the glamorous quicksand of Washington.
While our fate in DC hangs in the balance, how about returning some balance to the GLBT movement by ending our fatalistic fixation on all-things political?
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For every gay who commits suicide, there are hundreds who die before their time because of the intrinsically unsafe nature of homosexual relations. Those who promote such relations are partly responsible for that holocaust.
Comment by jack spratt — June 24, 2009 @ 9:24 pm
A new report in the first edition of the peer-reviewed Journal of Human Sexuality has found that sexual orientation is not immutable and that psychological care for individuals with unwanted homosexual attractions is beneficial and poses no significant risk of harm.
The study, What Research Shows: NARTH’s Response to the American Psychological Associations Claims on Homosexuality, examines over 100 years of professional and scientific literature as well as over 600 reports from clinicians, researchers, and former clients principally published in professional and peer-reviewed journals.
This research, assembled over a period of eighteen months by three of the leading academics and therapists in the field and under the direction of the NARTH Scientific Advisory Committee, refutes claims made by some factions of the American Psychological Association and several other professional mental health organizations.
Comment by jack spratt — June 24, 2009 @ 9:52 pm
Jack Spratt,
I have known same-sex couples who were together for more than 25 years. I have also tried dating girls, but it did not work for me. I accepted myself as gay, and I am more happier than trying to fake being straight, trying to pretend I am attracted to girls, it was just unnatural for me. I resorted to cutting myself, and I even tried to hang myself over it. Homosexuality is just a part of who someone is, like heterosexuality. By trying to rip something out of you and shoving something in it’s place that don’t belong there, you cause problems, that’s why “ex gay” therapy is so harmful.
By the way “NARTH Scientific Advisory Committee” isn’t going to fool anyone but themselves. There have been numerous studies (much more than 600) and every respected mental health organization in existence (not just the American Psychological Association) which comprises of over 500,000 of the world’s best mental health professionals, say that homosexuality is NOT a mental illness, is not a choice, and is not abnormal for a minority of people.
Despite how convincing your argument may be (to some people anyway) the ones who pose that argument have their work cut out for them because they are going against so much.
I still find it amazing how “ex gay” activists can say that homosexuals (5% to 10% of the population) convinced the mental health community to consider homosexuality normal when like 60% of the population is against homosexuality. Yet, try as they might, that 60% cannot overturn the decision made over 35 years ago.
No amount of whining and complaining about how “homosexuality is wrong” “homosexualty is abnormal” for 35 years by 60% of the population can reverse the conclusion that homosexuality is not abnormal. Gee, I wonder why??
Comment by James — June 24, 2009 @ 10:29 pm
My whining and complaining is focused on the harm that homosexuals are doing to one another given that the human body cannot naturally withstand the kind of abuse involved in homosexual sex, including in the rare cases where there is faithfulness. It doesn’t ultimately matter whether it’s a choice or whether it can be changed. What matters is that people not do things to themselves and to each other that are harmful, physically and emotionally, and that other people not encourage them to do that. The unkindness of some people’s resentment of homosexuals is nothing compared with the adverse effects of encouraging people to harm themselves and shorten their lives.
Comment by jack spratt — June 24, 2009 @ 10:45 pm
Jack Spratt,
You keep espousing all this, and you do not provide viable and reliable evidence to back it up. NARTH doesn’t have any “leading academics and therapists”.
By the way, what is this “peer-reviewed journal”?
Comment by James — June 24, 2009 @ 10:55 pm
Never mind Jack Spratt,
I just did a little research and found that this “Peer reviewed scientific Journal” is “The Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality”.
That journal is an unnaccredited vocational school that endorses the sale of penis enhancement pills.
Their statement: “The only products for which the Institute has granted a license for these names to be used are: Vigorex forte and Vigorex femme (US trademarks); Passion’s Fire; Pleasure; Nutrisex; ProformRX; Improvex and Climatique.”
Here is where I found the article: http://www.tips-q.com/1064151-pray-away-gay-and-penis-pills
Now it’s a pro-gay article, but the link to the journal’s website is right there in the article.
Of course, there is also a possibility that it could just be “the Journal of human sexuality” (without the word “electronic” word in it. Even still, that is a journal dealing in science from a Christian perspective. And of course, Christians are biased against homosexuality and would be inclined to say something like that about it.
Here is their website: http://www.leaderu.com/jhs/
Try again Jakey!
=)
Comment by James — June 24, 2009 @ 11:01 pm
But I do agree with you on one thing Jack, that we cannot commit things that would be harmful to us. That is why we should accept ourselves for who we are.
While there may be problems associated with homosexuality, there is only the problems that society gives us. When we learn to accept ourselves for who we are, then we don’t have any problems relating to our homosexuality.
I have tried to change. It did not work. I tried being with girls, nothing made me as happy as being with another man. I am living proof that homosexuality is not like ANYTHING that “NARTH” says it is. I don’t need any proof of it either, because I AM the proof.
Comment by James — June 24, 2009 @ 11:12 pm
Having looked at the Journal of Human Sexuality online just now, I see that its editor is none other than the notorious George Rekers, and that it contains articles by (among others) Jeffrey Satinover, Judith Reisman, Joe Dallas, Anita Worthern, Bob Davies and – God help us – Peter LaBarbera and Scott Lively.
Whatever else this is, it sure as hell isn’t a scientific journal.
Comment by William — June 25, 2009 @ 5:09 am
Jack Spratt,
I’d like to date and marry your son. I’m sure you’ll recognize that I can change from being a lesbian to wholeheartedly heterosexual. I’m certain I can make him happy and that I’ll be str8 forever.
I have a gay friend who’d like to date your daughter as well. I’m sure you could change him too. He’s committed to changing his ways too – God be willing!
What do you think? Ready to take a chance?
You betcha!
Audrey
Audrey
Comment by Audrey — June 25, 2009 @ 4:58 pm