Dan Choi accuses gay rights groups of 'betrayal'

[donheld]

In an interview with Newsweek, he attacked the "betrayal" of gay rights groups, saying the movement appeared to be centred around elitism.

He was arrested, along with Captain Jim Pietrangelo, after hijacking a Human Rights Campaign rally, which was hosted by comedian Kathy Griffin.

Lt Choi told the publication: "Within the gay community so many leaders want acceptance from polite society. I think there's been a betrayal of what is down inside of us in order to achieve what looks popular, what look enviable.

"The movement seems to be centered around how to become an elite. There is a deep schism , everyone knows this."

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/03/23/dan-choi-accuses-gay-rights-groups-of-betrayal/

[xchrom]

1. Recommend

[Ken Burch]

2. That's a stage all liberation movements pass through, though, isn't it?

The leadership gets obsessed with "respectability"...and a "place at the table"...

It shouldn't happen, because "respectability" never really leads to meaningful gains...but the temptations are always there.

All movements for change need to listen to what Lt. Choi is saying here.

[offog]

3. That's a good point.

' "respectability" never really leads to meaningful gains ... '

This doesn't just apply to gay rights. My Mom thinks that in this day and age, militant feminists are obsolete, and that any woman can be respected anywhere if she just proves she can do the job. Mom doesn't "get" that if it wasn't for those "obnoxious" radical feminists she despises so much, my sister wouldn't be a tenure-track math professor right now.

And if it wasn't for the work of all those "uppity" gays over the years, debate about the repeal of DADT wouldn't even be on the radar right now.

It makes me sick that there's so much fuss over the "disruption" gays could cause in the military while creepy straight guys are allowed to sexually assault their female comrades. Where's the big concern over that form of "disruption"?

[shedevil69taz]

18. no one is allowed

Sexual assault of females in the military is already prohibited by law no one is "allowed" to do it. Does it still happen? Yes. Do people still get away with it? Yes again. Do we like that we can't catch every scumbag that does it? Absolutely fucking no.

People who commit sexual assault and those that protect them in the military don't last long, they quickly lose the respect of anyone they serve with even if they don't get procecuted for whatever reason, but word spreads about them.

I've been trying to get my unit to assign me as a victim advocate now for a while because I think we just don't have enough people in the position that care about the responsibilities.

As far as the OP goes...is anyone surprised that the career polititian that is our CIC is dragging his feet on repealing DADT? Politicians don't ever do anything unless they know it will have a lasting positive impact on thier careers, or if they're forced to, then they just try to blame everything on someone else.

At least with the current CIC we have a CHANCE (and a very good one) of getting DADT repealed. Whereas with the previous one a snowball would have had a better chance in hell.

[GodlessBiker]

4. They don't want to give up the invitations to all the nice DC dinner parties.

[joeybee12]

6. Agreed...and mingling at those parties certainly has moved the cause

forward, hasn't it? (Sarcasm, of course).

[Ken Burch]

9. Of course...if, by "the cause" you mean "getting invited to MORE parties"...

...just sayin'...

[joeybee12]

16. Is there any other cause than attending parties?

:shrug:

If so, that's news to me!!!

[Jamastiene]

20. Exactly.

So many are too busy hobnobbing with the rich and famous to work for basic rights.

[autorank]

5. k*r I really like this guy

I heard him interviewed and now I'm seeing his actions. He walks the walk and he's a very astute observer.

Good for him. With that courage, it's a shame he's not still in the Army.

[Toasterlad]

7. Dan Choi Is Absolutely Right. I'm Not Conforming To Anyone Standards Of Normalcy To Get My Rights.

I'm getting my rights because I'm owed them as a citizen of this country. I'm not kissing a single straight ass to get them.

[tbyg52]

8. My hero!

:patriot:

[readmoreoften]

10. K&R. For 20 years these groups have spend our money drinking champagne in hot tubs with politicians

who will never do shit for us. They attack any real Stonewall-esque, radical effort for LGBT people to change our lot. They should be purged along with the DLC. They've largely become an obstacle to change.

[theHandpuppet]

11. I'll second and third that!

:thumbsup:

[Toasterlad]

12. Exactly. The HRC Exists For One Reason - To Benefit the HRC

Lambda Legal does good work, though.

[closeupready]

14. And it provides positive PR for donors, while providing them with tax breaks on donations, in return

(the HRC, that is.)

[closeupready]

13. He nailed that one, big time.

n/t

[RetiredTrotskyite]

15. I Love This Man!!

Preach it, brother! You GO, Dan!

[jonnyblitz]

17. k !

:o too late to recommend.

[Jamastiene]

19. And he would be right.

Many of us just want basic rights while many gay organization leaders just want another invite to that next big black tie dinner. They aren't doing anything to help the cause by being that way. I'm glad he brought it up, to be honest.