New Directions?

Consider this quote on page 127 of Sexuality and Socialism by Sherry Wolf about the Gay Liberation Front (GLF):

"these activists wanted to confront not just the stifling homophobia of US society but the entire oppressive and exploitative imperial edifice."

In the context of the struggle for GLBTIQQA rights today, what does this "oppressive and exploitive imperial edifice" consist of, and how do we go about confronting it?


Many times, our immediate reaction leads us to our government-- to the officials that we elect to serve us. We are inclined to want to hold them accountable for the campaign promises they make to us and to help us tear down discriminatory and often antiquated laws that we see as the walls of our oppression. President Barack Obama is prime example of someone who won an election riding on a wave of support from our community, based on promises expressly made during his campaign. Often times however, we find these appeals to be fruitless.

In fact, many may argue (Sherry Wolf is one of them) that a number of civil rights and other progressive movements have been undermined by partnerships with political parties. Wolf makes the bold assertion that often time politicians say anything to get our vote (and the democrats usually know that they do not have to do much to win us over), only to later throw us under the bus. This is not so difficult a feat when you consider that even with allies, we still represent a small and insular minority in the broader political landscape. She provides the example of Bill Clinton, who after lobbying GLBT voters on the platform of standing up for gays in the military signed Don't Ask, Don't Tell on his fourth day in office.

Just today, I saw an article that said that Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) said the Senate's too busy right now to bother with gays in the military. (for more info, go to http://www.towleroad.com/2009/09/durbin-senate-too-busy-for-dont-ask-dont-tell-and-kennedys-dead.html). He stated, “We have a very heavy, busy agenda and a few months left to do it. So it may not be now, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be soon.” The questions then should not be "how long until you are ready?" but rather "HOW LONG ARE WE AS A COMMUNITY WILLING TO WAIT?"

In her book entitled Justice and the Politics of Difference, Iris Marion Young writes that "In its new usage, oppression designates the disadvantage and injustice some people suffer not because a tyrannical power coerces them, but because of the everyday practices of a well-intentioned society."

She goes on to argue that "We cannot eliminate this structural oppression by getting rid of the rulers or making some new laws, because oppressions are systematically reproduced in major economic, political, and cultural institutions."

So, where does this leave us? In our book club meeting this past Tuesday, this very topic came up in discussion. If we cannot work within our government's system to effect the kind of change we want to see, then how do we successfully work outside of it? Laura pointed out that in fact, by working outside of the traditional governmental system, we may actually hold more power to tell elected officials that they will have to earn our votes-- that they can no longer assume that their words alone will or worse yet the letter (usually "R" or "D") will "guarantee"our votes.

So, where does all of this leave us as we move forward in what I believe is a powerful and growing movement toward GLBTIQQA ("queer") liberation?

Thoughts?

UNION BAR REACHES RESOLUTION WITH GLBT COMMUNITY

March 16, 2009
Contact Brandon Webb at hsyd.president@houstonstonewallyd.org or 713.825.7830/
Kris Banks at 281.797.1507

UNION BAR REACHES RESOLUTION WITH GLBT COMMUNITY

Representatives from Union Bar and Lounge met with leaders from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community at the office of the Houston GLBT Political Caucus Monday and reached a resolution that actions that led to the perception of discrimination were unintended.

“Due to a miscommunication between management of Union Bar and Lounge and the door staff, we acknowledge that actions by the door staff caused an unintended perception of discriminatory actions towards the gay and lesbian community,” said Union Bar owners. “We wholeheartedly did not want or intend for this to happen. We also acknowledge that this unintended action caused hurt and bad feeling within the gay and lesbian community towards Union Bar and it staff. We also extend this apology to all of our regular gay and lesbian customers who may have been hurt by this misunderstanding.”

“We deeply appreciate Union Bar and Lounge coming to us to clear up this incident,” said Kris Banks, president of the Houston GLBT Political Caucus. “We accept Union Bar’s explanation that miscommunication was at the heart of the problem. We understand that there was no discriminatory intent, but circumstances led to a strong perception that we were excluded because of our sexual orientation."

"The events of March 13th reminded the GLBT community that our struggle for equal rights is not over," said Brandon Webb, President of the Houston Stonewall Young Democrats. "Although the owners of Union Bar have acknowledged their mistakes, we as a community recognize that discrimination still exists and we must continue to stand against it regardless of the venue."

“Discrimination should also be addressed with legislation like Texas House Bill 2215. We were happy to hear that the owners of Union Bar and Lounge are 100 percent supporters of this legislation," stated Banks.

“We are happy for resolution and call for the GLBT community to move on and continue working for equality. We urge the community to cease negative bombardment, especially highly inappropriate harassment and threats.”

The Union Bar and Lounge will continue to work with the GLBT community and intends to hold a fundraiser in the near future for a GLBT-specific community organization.

Response to discrimination?

Now that you all have heard about what happened, what do you think we should do to address the actions of Union Bar and other local businesses that have discriminatory policies?

Share your ideas about what you think the next step should be.

Peace and solidarity,

Meghan

Press Release: Midtown Bar Refuses Gay People

Below, please see the joint press release, which went out today, from the Houston GLBT Political Caucus, Houston Stonewall Young Democrats, Impact Houston and Amicus at South Texas College of Law:

Contacts: Kris Banks, President of Houston GLBT Political Caucus, 281-797-1507; Jerry Simoneaux, GLBT civil rights attorney, 713-577-9587

MIDTOWN BAR REFUSES GAY PEOPLE

Gays made to wait in rain as others admitted

Nearly 100 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people were refused entry to Union Bar and Lounge in Midtown Friday while others were welcomed.

Patrons started lining up at about 9:40 p.m. and were told to wait in line and not allowed inside, even as straight-appearing people were waved through. As the line grew and patrons waited in the rain, employees at the door told those who were that they were maintaining a “ratio.” Later, the bar employees simply indicated they had the right to refuse anyone.

“I was shocked to be a victim of that kind of discrimination in a city like Houston in 2009,” said Neal Falgoust, a Houston law student. “I have never experienced anything like that before in my life.”

A patron who arrived at the bar early reported that the bar was nearly empty at about 9:40 p.m., when gay people started arriving and were stopped at the door.

Gay people continued to line up to the street and around the corner as people who appeared to be straight went to the front and were ushered in. Kris Banks, who stood at the front of the line, said the bar employees were asking the women who were entering with men if the men were accompanying them. If the men were with the women, they were allowed in.

“I arrived and heard that they were not allowing gay men in, so when I got to the door with three women I asked if we would be allowed in, and the door employee said ‘I was told to keep you out,’ ” said Lindsey Dionne. “This was supposed to be a social event, but now it’s political.”

That this kind of discrimination is still legal in Houston makes it more outrageous. A coalition of GLBT rights groups, including the Houston GLBT Political Caucus, the Houston Stonewall Young Democrats, the Harris County Impact Houston and Amicus at South Texas College of Law said Saturday that the incident is proof of the necessity of legal protections for sexual orientation and gender identity for public accommodations.

“Houston is the only major city in Texas without a law that prevents this kind of discrimination,” said Jerry Simoneaux, GLBT civil rights lawyer. “This incident is exactly the reason Houston should implement such an ordinance.”

The event was organized as Houston’s first “Guerilla Gay Bar,” a tongue-in-cheek event that has been popular in other cities in which GLBT individuals come to traditionally straight bars to interact with other communities. Though Guerilla Gay Bars are usually a surprise event in other cities, Houston organizers informed the bar owner in advance out of courtesy and were told they would be welcomed.

Red Door

We have been told by people that frequent Red Door that they are very gay-friendly. It is likely that some LGBT persons were turned away last night due to dress code issues. We are still investigating any allegations of discrimination.

Why are we here?

Tonight, a local group organized an event called Guerrilla Gay Bar. It was scheduled to take place at Union Bar and Lounge in Midtown (http://www.myspace.com/unionlounge). A group arrived there at the pre-arranged time, only to be told they would not be let in because there needed to be a high female to male ratio. Allegedly, the doormen did eventually state that they were told to keep the group out because they were gay.

I arrived on the scene to find a group still arguing with patrons and staff. After the group left, I spoke directly with the doormen who said they had been working all night. They told me that told some members of the groups had self-identified as being gay, but that they did not care if people are gay or not. They also told me that they do not have a policy regarding male-female ratio, and that no one was turned away, but rather just told that they had to wait in line because the group was larger than expected.

I told the doormen who I was and that I would be collecting statements about what happened, and I asked if they had anything else they wanted to say. They said no, and then asked that I read the "rules"-- the last one stating that they reserved the right to refuse anyone.

From what I understand, the same group was then turned away from Red Door. The staff cited "dress code" problems, eventually telling potential patrons that they could not come it because they "did not look straight."

For those of you who have not understood what Impact Houston is or why we are here, wonder no more. In a way, we are lucky that our generation has not been victimized by hate and violence the same way that those before us were. However, it is at the same time a liability in that we forget all too often that we are today an oppressed minority in this country, and around the world. Still, many in our community have become too comfortable with the status quo. So, it is in times like this that we are reminded of the struggles we have been through, and those that lie ahead.

As this fight continues, know that Impact Houston will be on the front line. For more information, go to www.impact-houston.com. Check back over the next few days for more reactions to these events, and others. Also, look for us at AIDS Walk on Sunday. Finally, if you were at these bars tonight, share your stories here.

Peace and solidarity,

Meghan Baker
President, Impact Houston