Groups of minority gays say that white gays ignore their concerns

[Quetzal]

Groups of minority gays say that white gays ignore their concerns

Each year, Dyana Mason starts the summer with two road trips: one to Washington's black gay-pride celebration in May and a second to its predominantly white June counterpart, Capital Pride.

Mason, the director of an advocacy group called Equality Virginia, is not alone. Through the fall, similar celebrations will unfold across the nation, underscoring a racial rift that some say splinters gay America when a united front is needed most.

National gay and lesbian groups are responding with marketing campaigns and old-fashioned schmoozing to win over minority gays, many of whom argue that white activists want their votes on gay marriage and other national issues, but rarely include poverty, racism and other minority concerns on their agendas.

"We have this rainbow of unity - 'We're all in it together,'" said Earl Fowlkes, the president of the International Federation of Black Prides. "Truth be told, it's not that way."

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Groups of minority gays say that white gays ignore their concerns

[kweerwolf]

1. There's a lot of truth to that, unfortunately

It should come as no surprise that other minorities - especially the African-American community - have a tendency to view "gay rights" as the provence of priveleged, white men because those are most often the only people they see speaking out on gay issues.

[AlphaCat]

2. I think it's a conudrum...

Minorities, often don't WANT white people to speak for them, or represent them in any way (and quite rightly so). However, if that IS the case, then the minorities, in order to get their issues on the table, might have to be more proactive, more 'out there' in making themselves heard.

I get a little uncomfortable when someone else tells me I need to speak out for a group or bring somebody else's agenda to the table. With all the freedoms we have in this country, THEY can best state their own case--and the next time they need to, it'll be all the easier.

[Ally McLesbian]

3. Right on

This is ESPECIALLY true of conservative immigrant communities, often hailing from countries where homosexuality is still criminal.

To them, they are too busy settling down in America to indulge in "luxuries" like homosexuality. A luxury that gets you banned from your de facto community center - your church. (This is especially true of Latinos and Koreans.)

I've always felt that the gay community has also done a very poor job of minority education and outreach anyway. There is a reason why Latinos are more likely than other races to support antigay measures.

[Ally McLesbian]

4. Minority gays just don't exist, period

in social radar, anyway, unfortunately.

The problem is, white gays wrongly assume that everything is well in the minority communities, that homophobia is a white European value. Nothing can be further from the truth.

I am from Los Angeles, where I am far more likely to hear the words of homophobia in Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, and maybe Chinese than I ever do in English. The speakers of the above languages often come from countries where homosexuality is a criminal offense. Homophobia as we know it may have originated in Europe, but the European cultures have cleaned up their act - while the cultures they influenced in Latin America and Asia have taken the homophobia to new heights.

I don't exist in the gay community because I am Asian. I don't exist in my "home" ethnic communities because I am not only gay, but transgender and a Goddess Woman. I am sick of being nonexistent!

[kweerwolf]

5. Welcome to DU, Ally

We hope you find a comfortable "home" for yourself here on DU.

And thanks for your words of wisdom. As a white gay male I find I have to periodically examine my view to make sure I don't slip into the Euro-centric male world view ... so I'm very glad to have your input, ideas, perspectives and opinions here on DU.

:hi:

[Ally McLesbian]

6. Thanks

Thank you so much for the welcome...

I've been active over at the Democracy Cell Project (www.democracycellproject.net) for some time, and I wanted to expand into other venues where I can hang out with progressives (and carry on the energy from the September 24th protests in DC, which I partially attended). Looks like I found a good venue!