In the rush towards being accepted as normal don’t bang into the wall and knock us all out.

“In the rush towards being accepted as normal, queer communities may lose one of their great strengths: an ability to examine social structures from a position of difference and, therefore, to work towards greater liberation for us all so writes Susan Thompson in her essay, “Speak Now or Forever Hold your Peace? Why we need  Queer Critiques of “gay” Marriage. Susan brings up many of the points that have been discussed on this site since we first opened. I will just name a few and then you can read the entire article by clicking here.

“Framing gay marriage only as a battle for civil rights excludes critiques that examine the issue in a broader social context-critiques that are central to queer theory and queer politics, and are currently dividing queer communities over the issue.”

“It almost as if the feminist critique of marriage doesn’t exist. And you know that feminism is near and dear to the hearts of lesbians. It’s as if it’s all been forgotten–and it’s a very legitimate critique that (marriage) is an institution that is beyond rehabilitation.”..Atty. Karen Andrews.

“Marriage has not come into the forefront because of a overwhelming demand from queer communities. It is because of gay organizations who have tremendous resources have made it their primary issue.”… Jean Bobby Nobel 

“It may be the only way to expand the debate at this point is to put grassroots pressure on groups like Eagle to pursue not only equal civil rights but to challenge the entire system of heteronormativity that excludes both queer communities and heterosexuals like single mothers who do not fit into the idealized definition of “family.” …Susan Thompson

It still seems like the organizations that are now the leaders want all of us to believe that what their members want is what we all should want. I have heard many times that after “we” win marriage rights then all of our problems as glbt people will be solved. I am afraid that what will happen is that the white middle class who is clamoring for marriage will then fold their tents and go home to their wife/husband/children/2 cats/2dogs/house with picket fence/SUV/ and not give a rats bottom about any more issues. PHEW!!! “I am pooped out, need a rest from all this reform.” The old I gots mine so tra la la. A few of the good people will remain and see that there is much more to do, that marriage was really not liberation, and this sick society is still sick and hates us. Its that old saying from Marat/Sade again: “Just when you think that you never had it so good, remember that is only the slogan of those who have alot more than you.” I always like to add to that, “and they are willing to take what you have.”