Blind Prophecy

So, I got this in my email today…

Dear Jere,

I hope you had the opportunity to read Senator Scott McCoy’s OpEd in Sunday’s Tribune. If not, here’s the link http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_2979558

In addition, I think it’s important to be aware of Rep. LaVar Christensen’s intentions of introducing legislation that would require that a biological, adoptive or martial relationship exist before a fit parent can be subject to court-ordered visitation. This bill should be of great concern to our community. His comments can be found in Monday’s Deseret Morning News article http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,600159386,00.html

These articles underscore the importance of Equality Utah’s work. We must influence the political process and ensure that our community receives proper representation. We must work to elect fair-minded candidates who will address our concerns and combat discrimination and bias-motivated legislation. Equality Utah’s Allies Dinner is an integral part of this work.

On September 21, Equality Utah Political Action Committee will be hosting our annual Allies Dinner. Proceeds from this event will be directed to the campaigns of deserving LGBT friendly candidates and Equality Utah lobbying efforts. We expect to have over 1,000 people in attendance – imagine the message we can send will such support. Tickets for the event are $100 and can be purchased online at www.equalityutah.org.

For more information, please call us at 801.355.3479 or email us at info@equalityutah.org.

Thanks and we hope you will join us on September 21!

Regards,

Mike Thompson
Executive Director
Equality Utah

“of great concern?”
“proper representation?”
“fair-minded candidates?”

No. We should be fucking pissed off about being bullied with another piece of mean-spirited legislation by a religious extremist bigot.

I know they’re trying to sell tickets to their fundraiser, but come on. I’m so tired of getting the pussy statements from the gay community leaders in Utah. I understand the need for cooperation and level heads, but you can’t cooperate with people like LaVar Christensen. In this case, Equality Utah doesn’t speak for me.

Here’s my issue… imagine the political spectrum looks like this…

< --radical liberals---liberals---moderates---conservatives---radical conservatives-->

Well, the leadership of the queer community keeps drifting to the right, while our most vocal opponents don’t move at all. Also, when the only queer voices in leadership are those who are closer to moderate, those voices begin to sound like radical liberalism, because there’s nothing “more” radical in the public awareness.

Radicals stir up the grassroots. Radicals allow moderates to compromise in ways that both sides “win.” Without radicals, my side has been losing more and more in recent years without many wins.

Where is the ACT UP of today? Where is the Radical Faeries of today? Where are the Lesbian Avengers? Where are the angry people who refuse to compromise, who believe in civil disobedience, who aren’t afraid to speak the whole truth? Because Mike Thompson and the hard-working folks at Equality Utah are moderates, not radicals (as they’re being painted by the religious right).

Filed under: livejournal by Jere Keys