Ways to fight the right
In “The Advocate” issue 940, Chad Graham and Bruce Steele set out ten ways their readers could fight the growing influence of the far and religious right in American politics. They suggest you benchmark yourself by ticking them off as you do them – even if you only do one thing you have helped, and can take pride in your achievement. With a little adaptation for an international audience, their 10 ways can be summarised:
1. Come out, and speak out. By being known and telling the truth you can counter the rights chief weapons of fear of the unknown and lies about us.
2. Get involved in your local gay rights group.
3. Organise. If there isn’t a local gay rights group, start one.
4. Know your neighbours, and make sure they know you – you may be the first gay person they have got to know; if that is so, you’re the only one who can tell them the truth.
5. Do your civic duty. Get involved in a local campaign for something for the community as a whole. Be committed to the well being of your town and neighbours, and be openly gay.
6. Be a thorn at your school. If you’re at school or college, 1 to 5 still apply to you; form a gay-straight alliance or GLBT group if there isn’t one and campaign, perhaps against bullying?
7. Get your faith involved. If you’re a church goer, try to put something together so you can tell the congregation the truth, or set up some sort of alliance.
8. Contact the media.
9. Find the local A gays. In America the influential and wealthy gay people are known as the A Gays. They often have considerable influence. Can you sponsor a monthly breakfast club for them and speakers so they can channel their influence?
10. Phone, write, email your MP or Assembly Member or Councillor.
