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As gay marriage is at a tipping point, what about women's equality? As gay marriage is at a tipping point, what about women's equality?
(6 months later)
Even conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly has figured it out: there's a clear connection between the progress of women's rights and gay rights. Schlafly defeated the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s by warning of female soldiers, same-sex marriage, and the possibility that straight marriages would lose their strictly defined gender roles. In 2009, she said, "I think it's pretty clear that if the Equal Rights Amendment had passed, we would have had same-sex marriage 25 years ago."Even conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly has figured it out: there's a clear connection between the progress of women's rights and gay rights. Schlafly defeated the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s by warning of female soldiers, same-sex marriage, and the possibility that straight marriages would lose their strictly defined gender roles. In 2009, she said, "I think it's pretty clear that if the Equal Rights Amendment had passed, we would have had same-sex marriage 25 years ago."
Which sure would have been swell.Which sure would have been swell.
Marriage equality is seeing incredible momentum, much to the fury of Schlafly and the conservative old guard. They were no doubt elated when North Dakota passed its Byzantine abortion law the same day progressives were cheering same-sex marriage at the supreme court. If they can't currently beat back those uppity gays, they sure can remind women who governs their bodies.Marriage equality is seeing incredible momentum, much to the fury of Schlafly and the conservative old guard. They were no doubt elated when North Dakota passed its Byzantine abortion law the same day progressives were cheering same-sex marriage at the supreme court. If they can't currently beat back those uppity gays, they sure can remind women who governs their bodies.
The timing was coincidental, but the political overlap is real. Marriage equality and gender equality have much in common. Those of us fighting for both – along with equal pay, an end to employment discrimination, etc – would do well to capitalize on the similarities and work closer together. There's little the power structure fears more than a well-organized, vocal, battle-ready coalition.The timing was coincidental, but the political overlap is real. Marriage equality and gender equality have much in common. Those of us fighting for both – along with equal pay, an end to employment discrimination, etc – would do well to capitalize on the similarities and work closer together. There's little the power structure fears more than a well-organized, vocal, battle-ready coalition.
A strong union among activists can be one of the best tools for fighting the inevitable backlash. It is no coincidence that the language used to deride women's rights and gay rights activists is very similar. A gay man is traditionally insulted as effeminate, a gay woman "mannish". "FemiNazis" want to be men, yet hate them. But the more gains we make, the more ceilings we break, the less "feminine" will be an insult. Women who want equality will just be human.A strong union among activists can be one of the best tools for fighting the inevitable backlash. It is no coincidence that the language used to deride women's rights and gay rights activists is very similar. A gay man is traditionally insulted as effeminate, a gay woman "mannish". "FemiNazis" want to be men, yet hate them. But the more gains we make, the more ceilings we break, the less "feminine" will be an insult. Women who want equality will just be human.
The power structure doesn't like to cede too much at once. When Alice Paul presented the Equal Rights Amendment to Congress in 1923, the white, male crowd responded with a chorus of fervent yawns. The overriding sentiment could be paraphrased: "You have the vote now, why do you want more?"The power structure doesn't like to cede too much at once. When Alice Paul presented the Equal Rights Amendment to Congress in 1923, the white, male crowd responded with a chorus of fervent yawns. The overriding sentiment could be paraphrased: "You have the vote now, why do you want more?"
Supreme court chief justice John Roberts said much the same when he insisted that gay people are politically powerful and commanding a sea change of public opinion on marriage. Surely nothing more needs to be discussed? Even though many states still allow companies to fire someone just because they're gay.Supreme court chief justice John Roberts said much the same when he insisted that gay people are politically powerful and commanding a sea change of public opinion on marriage. Surely nothing more needs to be discussed? Even though many states still allow companies to fire someone just because they're gay.
Standing together and speaking out for each other is a great way to combat that mentality and prevent ground being lost, as well as prevent any attempt to divide and conquer. We might also be able to bolster involvement within our separate movements. Some gay rights activists observe that the push for marriage is what has drawn donors and door-knockers. They worry about the implications for fighting the less sexy battles, such as employment and housing discrimination, or homeless gay youth.Standing together and speaking out for each other is a great way to combat that mentality and prevent ground being lost, as well as prevent any attempt to divide and conquer. We might also be able to bolster involvement within our separate movements. Some gay rights activists observe that the push for marriage is what has drawn donors and door-knockers. They worry about the implications for fighting the less sexy battles, such as employment and housing discrimination, or homeless gay youth.
Activist and political consultant Ryan Davis says that with marriage equality in sight, some major donors are already declaring victory and walking away. As happened with young women who felt feminist battles were won, "you'll lose a whole generation of predominantly white gay men who make decent money and have no real commitment to leftist ideals."Activist and political consultant Ryan Davis says that with marriage equality in sight, some major donors are already declaring victory and walking away. As happened with young women who felt feminist battles were won, "you'll lose a whole generation of predominantly white gay men who make decent money and have no real commitment to leftist ideals."
Cross-advocacy could keep donors in the fold, and bring in fresh interest. Perhaps a financial supporter of marriage equality can get inspired by Sheryl Sandberg's initiatives? As Chelsea Clinton pointed out in the Huffington Post, equal pay will raise America's GDP. Likewise, ending employment discrimination will keep people off welfare. And marriage equality should be a nice spur for all rights activists to join together and fight for better childcare options.Cross-advocacy could keep donors in the fold, and bring in fresh interest. Perhaps a financial supporter of marriage equality can get inspired by Sheryl Sandberg's initiatives? As Chelsea Clinton pointed out in the Huffington Post, equal pay will raise America's GDP. Likewise, ending employment discrimination will keep people off welfare. And marriage equality should be a nice spur for all rights activists to join together and fight for better childcare options.
Coalitions are uncomfortable. They can require the level of listening and patience that might test a nursery school teacher, but they can yield tremendous gain. Marriage equality is a victory for human rights, but it's just one step. They say you shouldn't waste a good crisis. You shouldn't waste a good victory, either.Coalitions are uncomfortable. They can require the level of listening and patience that might test a nursery school teacher, but they can yield tremendous gain. Marriage equality is a victory for human rights, but it's just one step. They say you shouldn't waste a good crisis. You shouldn't waste a good victory, either.
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