Equality Roundup: The Work Ahead
SF Bay News interviews equality advocates, including EQCA board member, David Codell (last seen with a grin and a rainbow flag at LA Pride). The other thing we were doing at Pride? Advocating for an end to discriminatory practices by therapists trying to make gay people straight.
Last year’s FAIR Education Act was a great step toward getting the recognition that unfairly excluded lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender heroes deserve in California schools, but implementation has been mixed. The LAUSD School Board passed a resolution to ensure funding for FAIR, and to recognize Pride month for the LAUSD, a important step for the largest school district in the country. And when those kids grow up, maybe an openly gay Speaker of the Assembly will speak at their college graduation too.
The LAUSD contrasts favorably with PS 195, where a fifth-grader was barred from giving a speech supporting marriage equality. The fifth-grader, Kameron Slade, was prompted by Obama’s announcement of support. Longtime equality activists have noted how LGBT friendly the current White House is, so friendly that a transgender man proposed to his partner at the White House. Even the Pentagon is recognizing Pride month. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta thanks LGBT servicemembers. Dig the posters.
Putting a damper on that was news that Obama’s current campaign manager, Jim Messina, gay-baited in Montana. Dems might not be able to get away with that for much longer — GOP fundraiser Paul E. Singer created a super PAC to press for LGBT equality and shield Republicans from fundraising fallout they may experience due to their party’s homophobia.
But maybe Singer just sees the writing on the wall — Maine’s marriage equality vote is favored by 20 points (scroll down), no one in Illinois wants to defend their unconstitutional marriage ban, even Mormons, Catholics and Eagle Scouts (Salon wants more of them) feel comfortable speaking out. It makes Olivia Munn seem positively prosaic. Even Apple has imported LGBT emoticons, and LGBT activists have time to support broader civil rights causes.
Sure, there’s more work to do — Michigan wants homophobes protected as counselors, junk science still pervades parenting discussions (Scientific American cuts that one down to size), and our Aussie pals won’t be married any time soon.
But at least we’re on track to cure homophobia.
