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Crawling towards equality The
importance of gay rights in today's political climate
By Igor Volsky and Amanda Waas
Conservative
reactionaries have expressed their dislike for the ‘homosexual agenda’ and
their tentacles have penetrated the American political system. Strong
evangelical efficacy has ensured political compliance from weak politicians.
Yet
human consideration must supersede short term political gain. An individual’s
humanity should not be sacrificed to votes. Public relations experts and high
priced political consultants make this nearly impossible. To take their advice
is to win political office; to go against the tide is to accomplish a structural
social adjustment (and a personal disservice). The former is characteristic of
the majority; the latter requires a higher level of social awareness and
political courage. Unpopular
positions are sacrificed to the convenience of branding. Society defines
appropriate behavior and condemns so-called deviant lifestyles. Branding along
sexual preference serves calculated ends. Promoting sexual orientation to the
pinnacle of personal characterization dehumanizes the characterized and divides
the citizenry. Shows
like “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” (or Girl) mask uncomfortable realities
to amuse the public. But not all gay men are interior decorators and not all
lesbians are mechanics. Most resemble the cultural norm. Meanwhile media
conglomerates continue to profit from avoiding this truth and pandering to Moreover,
by denying gays their basic human rights and de-humanizing their proponents, the
government tacitly validates homophobic behavior. When approval leads to
homicide (such as in the Matthew Shepard case) media coverage culminates in
public commemoration. But cyclic empathy does little to ameliorate a tradition
of inequality and leaves little hope for a broad public discussion of gay
issues. The
backlash against gay culture—most notably conservative animosity toward gay
pride parades and the like—provides powerful, seemingly-democratic talking
points for the opposition. And while the will of the majority has shelf space in
a democracy, the individual freedoms of a minority must remain intact. Marriage
has no effect on majority rights and most Americans laud its benefits. Opponents
that praise the institution and arbitrarily reject gay applicants take on a
sadistic light. Extremists
aside, the acceptance of gay rights is inevitable. Mainstream society tends to
err on the side of caution and recognition rests upon the passage of time.
Societal progress—started with the women’s suffrage movement and the African
American struggle for civil rights—is ongoing. The
pace is a crawl and often a standstill. Acceptance of the aforementioned stereo
types, the extension of partnership benefits, civil unions and independent
judiciary decisions serve as important checkpoints in the road towards equality.
Incremental movement, a characteristic of most civil rights struggles, is
unavoidable. Staunch activists will feel frustration—let this be the price of
progress.
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