An article from my hometown but plays just right anywhere...
Why Chicago's LGBT Community Should Focus on Larger Issues that Affect the Full Community
Published September 29, 2010 by: Adrienne Williams
'Buck Up' Democrats and LGBT Voters, More to Discuss with Congressman Mike Quigley Than DADT
I'm fired up! Yes, I'm talking about the mid-term elections coming up November 2 to keep our country moving forward. I also want the groups that I support to 'Buck Up'.
The congressman of Illinois 5th District Mike Quigely stopped by on September 27, to talk to the LGBT community on issues that concern all of us in a panel discussion, along with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Center on Halsted as host.
The striking issues that I watch unfold was the room was filled with middle aged white, higher tax bracket gay men talking about Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT)? Every question was about the marriage act that in my opinion should be repealed and quickly. But is that all we as the LGBT community have to tell our congressmen? Clearly, here in Chicago where unemployment is at an all time high at 11 percent, and many LGBT people I know have been out of work for over two years, all we can tell him to work on is DADT?
The Lack of Diversity Speaking for Us
What about the homeless youths in our community, or the elderly who do not have a place to go after a certain time in their lives, because they didn't have children. What about the fact that hardly any women or youth were there. Not to mention any representation of color such as Asian, Hispanic or black. (There was one lone black male and me).
I think Chicago has a larger issue in the LGBT community than just DADT. In fact, divisions within gender and race along with biphobic and bi-erasure in the community, in media and entertainment is a big issue facing individuals who are too scared to come out as being bisexuals and others who are not heard. The HRC representative seems to just make excuses and say "Chicago is known for racism" so I guess this is why the many voices that can speak to Mike Quiqley, won't be heard and told to Washington, what a shame.
It also saddened me that in this time of joblessness', poverty, LGBT youth and transgender homelessness, no one talked about these issues in our community—just about DADT, though, I think this law should be repealed again, I question where everyone in the gay community is coming from? Why can't they go into the cyber center of the Center on Halsted and see the many LGBT youth and adults who are struggles for 2 years without a job, without housing, without hope. Yes, DADT is one issue, and it will be repealed but how can we sit back and do nothing and talk about one issue when the politicians are right in room talking about LGBT issues? Is not jobs and education not on our radar? I wonder...
Now is the time to make your voice heard via voting and signing up to vote! This election is more important than even on the issues that you care about saving and making new changes, for others who need help in this time of uncertainty.
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