Equality and Other Myths

by David Watters
Feb 24, 2009

I think that this is worth reading, as a historical document, because it shows that even if progress appears to be painfully or woefully slow, progress IS being made.

Unfortunately the link to this full article has gone, but I did just want to look back at an early piece of writing that I had published and which has spurred me on to use my voice to comment on social inequality – online, in print or, if you’re anywhere in the vicinity, in person!

http://www.thegaynation.co.uk/features/real-life/article.php?id=333…

It would be great to hear your thoughts on the article and on the social change that has occurred since first publication in 2009.

EXTRACT:

The recent amendment to the State Constitution of California, Proposition 8, and a similar amendment in Florida, Proposition 2, are seen by LGBT civil rights activists and straight allies as a denial of the American promise of liberty, equality and the pursuit of happiness. There are others, including Malcolm Lazin (Executive Director, Equality Forum), who see this as merely a temporary setback.

Many have claimed that the public were misled and that a large proportion of voters believed that a “YES” vote was a pro-gay vote. It is also well known that the Catholic Church of California asked the Mormon Church of Salt Lake to support their campaign and that millions of dollars were spent by these religious groups to orchestrate a national media campaign.

In May 2008, the Californian Supreme Court ruled that Proposition 22 (March 2000), which specified that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid in California, violated the equal protection clause of the California Constitution. As a result of this ruling, marriage between individuals of the same gender became recognised and valid in the state.

In 2006, President George W. Bush, criticized the judges who had overturned this state law in a speech where he stated that, “Marriage is the most fundamental institution of civilization, and it should not be redefined by activist judges.” In the same speech Bush made further comment on the threat to traditional marriage, “Our policies should aim to strengthen families, not undermine them. And changing the definition of marriage would undermine the family structure.” Bush urged that the issue of same-sex marriage should be put “back where it belongs: in the hands of the American people.”

And so it was that this initiative measure, Proposition 8, or the “California Marriage Protection Act”, was submitted, in accordance with the provisions of Article II, Section 8, of the California Constitution, to the electorate.

The Last Frontier Of Freedom
Daniel Leary, Executive Director of The Committed to Equality Initiative told me that, “The battle for gay rights in the US has been a complicated and surprising one, especially in the past few months. While Proposition 8 was a devastating blow, it has had several positive repercussions. The story of Proposition 6 portrayed in “Milk” is indeed similar, but only in location, genre and struggle. The truth is, the actual propositions were quite different. Proposition 8 is about the right to marry, something some might consider a final frontier in gay rights, whereas Proposition 6 was about outing homosexuals so that they could be removed from their employment. In fact, we have come a long way. An idea like Proposition 6 wouldn’t have a leg to stand on in today’s climate in California, and Proposition 8 was repealing rights that California had already granted, and it very nearly failed”.

In a 1973 speech, during his first unsuccessful run for supervisor, Harvey Milk said, “It takes no compromising to give people their rights. It takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no survey to remove repressions.”

Stuart Milk says of his uncle, “My uncle was not the first openly LGBT person elected to public office in the US but he was the first to a substantial office and the first to actively proclaim his sexuality and not back up from it. I am very proud of my Uncle both as a dear Uncle whom I lost as a teenager and as a worldwide civil rights visionary!”

I think our equality as Americans has come a long way with race, gender, and religious beliefs; however, I believe sexual orientation is the last frontier of freedom for ALL Americans. Gay American couples are not treated with equality or respect in most states to date. Dr. John R. Shafer, Indianapolis, IN

UNFORTUNATELY, YOU CANT READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE:

http://www.thegaynation.co.uk/features/real-life/article.php?id=333…

BUT…I MAY HAVE IT SOMEWHERE…IF… YOU’RE INTERESTED…

Support Civil Marriage & Civil Partnership Equality

Why this is important

The UK’s twin legal bans on same-sex civil marriages and opposite-sex civil partnerships are unjust discrimination. In a democratic society, everyone should be equal before the law.We urge that both civil marriages and civil partnerships should be open to gay and heterosexual couples, with no discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The UK government is committed to legalise same-sex civil marriage (not religious marriage) by 2015 but it is refusing to legalise opposite-sex civil partnerships. It currently has a consultation process where it is seeking the views of the public.

The churches have mobilised hundreds of thousands of people to sign a petition against same-sex civil marriages in register offices (which are civil ceremonies that have nothing to do with religion and religious marriages).

We need to counter the government’s and church’s opposition to full equality. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone is entitled to equal treatment and protection against discrimination, including the right to marry.

Legalising same -sex marriage is the recognition that LGBT people are of equal worth, equally part of humanity and have the right to the equal validation of their love. The same principle of equality applies in the case of civil partnerships. Heterosexual couples should be able to have a civil partnership if they wish.

By signing this petition, we can let the government know that we want equality in both civil marriage and civil partnership law. Help us send a message for universal equal rights. It’s in your hands.

7,816 signers so far.

Let’s reach 20,000

http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Support_Gay_Marriage_in_the_UK/

Blue Plaque for Peter Tatchell

I was thrilled and honored to be invited to attend the blue plaque unveiling for Peter Tatchell, campaigner for human rights, gay freedom and social justice, on Wednesday 29 September 2010 at 11am outside 62 Arrol House, Rockingham Street, London SE1 6QL.

The unveiling was followed by a reception at the nearby Cuming Museum, Walworth Road, SE17, from 12 midday to 1pm.

Sir Ian McKellen was there to unveil the blue plaque honouring Peter Tatchell and he made a wonderful, humorous and heartfelt speech.

For over 40 years, Peter Tatchell has spearheaded campaigns for gay rights and human rights in Britain and across the globe. In 1983 he was the defeated Labour candidate in the Bermondsey by-election – the dirtiest, most violent election in Britain in the twentieth century. He co-founded OutRage! in 1990 and he twice attempted a citizen’s arrest of President Mugabe of Zimbabwe on charges of human rights abuses.

Peter has also written or contributed to over 20 books such as, The Battle for Bermondsey, Democratic Defence, Europe in the Pink – Lesbian & Gay Equality in The New Europe and We Don’t Want to March Straight: Masculinity, Queers and the Military. He has also authored over 3,000 published articles.

Last year Peter was named Campaigner of the Year at The Observer Ethical Awards.

Peter Tatchell will be present on the day to make an acceptance speech. Sir Ian McKellen will also speak and unveil the blue plaque.

In addition, the ceremony will be attended by representatives from the Southwark LGBT Forum, the Blue Plaque steering group, and Southwark Council. An opening speech will be made by Councillor Lewis Robinson, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport.

Commenting on being awarded a Blue Plaque, Peter Tatchell said:

“It is a big honour. I am very grateful to the people who voted for me, especially since there were other notable, worthy and deserving nominees. I hope my receipt of this award will encourage others to campaign for human rights. I have lived in Southwark most of my life and I am very proud to be part of its long, illustrious history of distinguished authors, playwrights, scientists, inventors and social reformers,” said Mr Tatchell.

“I appreciate this award, but the greatest honour I’ve had is the privilege to know and work with so many amazing, courageous human rights defenders in Britain and around the world. That’s the real, true honour to me.

“Nevertheless, after so many years of demonisation by the tabloids, right-wingers, homophobes and even some people on the left, it is great to receive this recognition.

“I was born in Melbourne, Australia, but I have lived and worked in Southwark most of my life, since 1978. During this time, I’ve been involved in many local community struggles.

“When I was Chair of the Rockingham Estate tenant’s association in 1980, we fought a successful campaign to turn derelict Dicken’s Square into a neighbourhood park and adventure playground.

“The biggest battles were against the property speculators who grabbed prime riverside sites, like Hay’s Wharf and Surrey Docks, and squeezed out long-standing working class residents. Most of the redevelopment of the last 30 years has been offices and luxury flats for the rich. Local people have benefited very little. That’s why I stood for parliament in the 1983 Bermondsey by-election. I wanted a fairer deal for the people of Southwark and Bermondsey.

“I love the history of North Southwark. It’s crammed with connections to Geoffrey Chaucer, Michael Faraday, William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens. I especially appreciate the Red Bermondsey history, when Labour won control of Bermondsey Borough Council in 1922, and led the world in municipal socialism. It initiated pioneering schemes to replace the slums with a garden city. People came from all over the world to marvel at the council-run “people’s palaces” – the new houses with gardens, the health centre, baths and public library. The Bermondsey Labour MP, Dr Alfred Salter, was a great champion of working class people.

“The 1983 Bermondsey by-election was the dirtiest, most violent election in Britain for over 100 years. I was attacked in the street, had my flat smashed, there were arson attempts on my home and three attempts by drivers to run me down in the street. I got a bullet through the door and I received dozens of threats to kill me. But I have no regrets. I stood against the developers, on the side of local people. I did what I believed was right.

“The current plans for the redevelopment of the Elephant and Castle are selling local people short. Only a small proportion will be council and social housing for rent to low-income families. The developers will make billions, while the local community will get relatively little. With a development of this size, not only should the existing council housing stock be fully replaced, but the developers should provide at least an additional 500 council houses for needy families in the surrounding areas.

“My political inspirations are people like Mahatma Gandhi, Sylvia Pankhurst, Martin Luther King and, to some extent, Malcolm X and Rosa Luxemburg. I’ve adapted some of their ideas and methods to my contemporary struggle for human rights rights, and invented a few of my own.

“My proudest achievements as a human rights campaigner have been my two attempted citizen’s arrests of the Zimbabwean dictator, Robert Mugabe. They helped draw international attention to the human rights abuses perpetrated by his murderous regime. I was glad to support the people of Zimbabwe who are fighting for democracy and human rights. Even though I got badly beaten by Mugabe’s bodyguards and have ended up with some brain and eye damage, I have no regrets,” said Mr Tatchell.

More information:

The Southwark blue plaques scheme is run by Southwark Council.

For more information on the scheme, please see
http://www.southwark.gov.uk/DiscoverSouthwark/heritageandhistory/BluePlaquesSection/

And:
www.southwark.gov.uk/blueplaques

FOR MORE ON PETER TATCHELL’S INCREDIBLE CONTRIBUTION TO INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL JUSTICE AND TO SUPPORT HIM GO TO:

http://www.petertatchell.net/

A MESSAGE FROM PETER:

Wanted: 1,000 people to donate £5 a month

Please support Peter Tatchell’s campaigns for LGBT rights and human rights, in Britain and worldwide. To make a donation: www.tatchellrightsfund.org/donations.htm

Peter Tatchell writes:

I started my work for human rights 43 years ago, so that we could all feel free and live in a better world. In the last four decades we’ve made great progress. Many injustices and inequalities have been overturned.

But more needs to be done to secure food, clean water, housing, education and health-care for everyone on this planet.

For LGBT people in Britain, the battle for equality is not yet fully won. There are still the bans on same-sex marriage and on gay blood donors. LGBT refugees are often sent back to violent homophobic countries. Our equality laws include exemptions that allow religious organisations to discriminate.

As well as my campaigns in the UK, I am working to support human rights defenders and LGBT people in countries like Uganda, Iran, Jamaica, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia and Zimbabwe.

Many people do not realise that I am unpaid, and that I don’t have an office or staff to assist with the help I give to thousands of individuals every year, from asylum seekers to victims of harassment and miscarriages of justice.

I am working 12 to 18 hours a day, seven days a week. I’m often tired and ill. I desperately need an office and staff support, to relieve the pressure and to increase the effectiveness of my campaigns.

I am fundraising at the moment and hoping to find a thousand people to give £5 a month, or more, by standing order, towards the cost of hiring staff to help me – and for office space. I invite you to make a donation (details of the various methods below). Give whatever you can afford and please persuade your friends to do the same. I need to raise £60,000 a year in regular income to sustain my work in the long-term.

The Peter Tatchell Human Rights Fund campaigns for LGBT rights and human rights in Britain and worldwide. To make a donation: www.tatchellrightsfund.org/donations.htm

For info about Peter Tatchell’s human rights campaigns: www.petertatchell.net

To sign up to receive Peter Tatchell’s campaign bulletins, email your request to: matt@petertatchell.net

Yours with best wishes and appreciation, Peter