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Friday, August 14, 2009

We Fight For Our Rights, But Which Rights?

We queers are fighting for our rights like never before and making good progress on several fronts. The question is which fronts should we prioritize? The major problem is there are 51 answers, one front for every state and one for the Federal level. In my home state of California we have good and inclusive hate crime, employment non-discrimination and anti bullying laws so it makes sense to fight for marriage equality*. On the Federal level the Matthew Sheppard act and a fully inclusive ENDA are the most urgent priorities. In other states other priorities, it is up to the people in each state to prioritize the fights in their state. In this battle one size defiantly does not fit all.

My personal feelings, for what their worth, is that the highest priority should always go to the most basic rights. A fully gender inclusive employment non-discrimination act, anti-bulling laws and a hate crimes law should be the highest priority. Everything else, as important as it may be, is a luxury compared to our basic survival.

* Or maybe not, read Beyond (Straight and Gay) Marriage: Valuing All Families under the Law (Queer Ideas) and decide for your self

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