Gay Activist Robin McGehee Disrupts Committee With ENDA Demand

[Shana A]

Gay Activist Robin McGehee Disrupts Committee With ENDA Demand
By Carlos Santoscoy
Published: April 21, 2010

http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=5616&MediaType=1&Category=25

Gay activist Robin McGehee and six other members of the gay rights group GetEQUAL were detained Wednesday after they interrupted a House committee hearing demanding movement on a federal gay protections bill.

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) would ban workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity (transgender protections).

[Miniar]

Not exactly the publicity we want....

If people come off as aggressive nutbars they're less likely to get what they want.

[Kaelin]

In their defense, they weren't exactly off the mark when they disrupted Obama at Barbara Boxer's fundraiser.

People interested in GLBTQIetc rights (just as opponents) are not a homogeneous group, and you can't judge everyone involved by a select group of individuals.  We can criticize them, but we ultimately do not have hard power over them.  And really, in the end, our goals are entrenched in ideas and facts, not whether our group is more numerous or more civil.

[Dawn D.]

As one who is not necessarily inclined to barge into meetings or do sit-ins or chain myself to fences, I can understand the frustration that seems to be elevating itself from the more militant elements of our community. That being said, one really bad incident with a subsequent media report can be all that is needed to sideline support that is tetering on the edge right now.


Dawn

[kyril]

If someone claims to be "teetering on the edge" of supporting basic civil rights, but claims they would be turned off by direct action and civil disobedience, then they're not an ally. They're not a supporter. They're a conspirator in the scheme to manipulate us into shutting up and taking our seats at the back of the bus.

People who really support civil rights and non-discrimination - that is, the decent and well-meaning majority of Americans - support bills like ENDA more when they see how important they are to us - how many of us will risk arrest or worse. Visibility and publicity are what's needed to wake them up and get them behind us.

[Dawn D.]

And it's worth it if you snatch defeat from the jaws of victory?

If Enda does not get through this time, there will be hell to pay, no doubt about it. Demonstrations and sit-ins to the point of arrest have their places in public discourse. But, patience is a virtue. That may be cliche', but it is true.

In times like this I tend to remember that old hunting joke about the bull elk, 'the young bull says to the old bull after spotting a herd of cow elk, "oohh, let's run down there and F*&% one of them cow's"! And the old bull replies, "Naw, let's walk down there and F&*#'m all"!

In other words, I see a lot of wasted effort in trying to get something accomplished and in effect, shooting the messenger at the same time. When there is every possibility that a little more patience "could" provide an effective outcome. But look, again, I agree that the militancy is a needed tool to have in the arsenal. But, let's not waste the use of it yet.

In my thought process as feeble as it may be, the people in congress and HRC right now have one last opportunity to prove that they will not leave us behind. "Katie, bar the door", if they are not successful or drop us off the cliff!


Dawn

[Vanessa_yhvh]

Personally, I'd follow Robin right into hell at this point. She put years into trying to upright a tilted boat, so to speak.

[Jasmine.m]

Not exactly the publicity we want....

If people come off as aggressive nutbars they're less likely to get what they want.

I agree.