Inter Q-zone: News from the Front

News from the Front
by Halley of The Healing Well

It's not about which form of bigotry is more prevalent in the United States. Whether an individual believes racism to be more prevalent or homo-sexism more virulent, will likely be due to their own experience or lack of, and serves no constructive purpose. What is purposeful and objective is the recognition that all bigotry is tightly interconnected, not because of the similarity of its symptoms, rather that the cause is identical. It is in the interest of the system (that is any system based on domination) to keep the people divided. This need for division is the root of all bigotry. You remember the song "united we stand, divided we fall". In truth, divided we have no chance of rising, let alone falling. Thus all the various bigotries serve the purpose well.

This is not some new revelation. Many gay progressive thinkers, past and present recognize this reality. That is why so many of us have been involved in various liberation movements. Conversely, this recognition has not been forthcoming from too many non-gay leaders of civil rights groups or liberation movements. Many ignore the inclusion of gay people in their rhetoric and actions. Others have eagerly accepted our help and then rejected our need.

It is important not to become bitter, but to re-affirm our commiment to erasing bigotry, in all its forms, from our minds our hearts and our society. But as the ONLY VOICE WE HAVE IS OUR OWN, we must never hesitate to use it to defend ourselves and wake up our brothers and sisters, both gay and non-gay.

Homo-sexism (bigotry against gay people) is not a fringe element in our society. It is real and pervasive. The idea that "our white middle class status protects us" is a fiction that even white middle class faggots cannot afford to believe. This very notion serves not only to divide the gay community alongs lines of race and class; but more importantly re-inforces a stereotype that all fags are white and with money. A dangerous stereotype because it further alienates us from other minority groups who are more keenly aware of their own economic disfranchisement. Aiding in the creatrion of viewing gays as "the ideal scapegoats" as Prof. Jack Levin of Northeastern University, refers to us. Not to mention the fact that it is also a blatant lie. Gays come in all sizes, colors and sexes; and proportionately reflect the class structure at large. If the majority of society is working class (and they are) then the majority of gays are working class.

Thus the reality dispels the stereotype and yet does not kill it. Homo-sexism is too powerful a tool. Not only does it marginalize gay people as a whole, it serves to destabilize other minority groups as well. After all, homosexuality is a cross cultural phenomenon. Effectively used homo-sexism can and does divide members of the same racial, enthic, or religious groups, piting brother against brother. I am reminded of the words of Mr. Ruben Diaz ("christian" minister and former member, thanks be to Lady Justice, of the Civil Compliant Review Board) calling for families to reject gay relatives and "not love" them. So even blood is not immune to homo-sexism. I'm fairly sure that all those German fags and dykes in the 30's and 40's had mothers and fathers, and were still roasted in Hitler's ovens.

I have been assured that "public opinion" polls show that the majority of Americans are "gay-positive". Personally, I wouldn't want to hang for "public opinion", which is about as stable as an elephant balancing on a twig.

Now I don't want to appear negative, I only desire to wake us up from a false sense of security. Historically, we have no friends. Will we be here for each other?

On Gay Day 1995 a group of 50+ homo-haters, some catholic, some fundamentalist christian, some neo-nazis, stood together and jeered as the parade went by - shouting "Gas the Faggots". The neo-nazis (or was it the christians) held up an enlarged photograph of a coffin with a caption which read: "Here lies a fag who marched last year." The threat is clear. The violence is real. WAKE UP... and I'll see you at the March this year.