Re-Posted (orig. June, 09) in Honor of National Coming Out Day and as a Call to Action to Fight Together
At last night’s HCDP Brown Bag event, as I listened to Ray Hill, Sue Lovell and Kris Banks give us a little history of the movement, it was Ray Hill that reminded me of something: 1969 was a huge year in the Civil Rights Movement.
While Hill provided us a history of the 1969 Stonewall riots, I recalled that 40 years ago, the Chicano Movement in South Texas was taking shape. And 40 years later, even though both groups have earned basic rights of mere existence (not without constant pushback, though), it seems the GLBT community and Latinos are still fighting, and apparently, waiting.
With the GLBT community, whether it is DOMA or “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” they are still in the trenches of what really is a civil rights battle. While moderates and conservatives take the “states rights” approach to the issue of marriage, it really is something that has more to do with basic constitutional rights. The Obama administration made some promises to do away with “Don’t ask,” but their recent change in plans, as well as their defense of DOMA, has ruffled some feathers.
As far as Latinos go, the battles have not ended when it comes to equity in economic, healthcare, and educational opportunities, to name a few. And the big issue that has made Latinos take a more progressive slant in their choices of candidates is comprehensive immigration reform. Not only is this an issue of legalization, but also one of economic opportunity, family unity, and basic human and civil rights. And the Obama administration has basically said that it is not happening in 2009. Does that mean it happens next year? With a mid-term election that could threaten Dumbocrats in “conservative” districts?
Although some in the GLBT and Latino communities defend the administration, others feel we are being told to hurry up and wait. Sure, Obama has only been in there six months, but while we’re off in verbal battles with Iran, wasting money on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, among other things, the well-being of families is at stake.
I just received a Facebook invitation from Congressman Gene Green’s office for a “Family Unity” event that will feature Congressman Luis Gutierrez–the gutsiest member of Congress on the issue of immigration. The event post states:
Achieving comprehensive immigration reform will not be easy, and it will continue to require a bipartisan effort from Congress. However, by putting a human face on the issue and addressing the harm that our broken immigration system is causing to U.S. Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents, we can begin the process of changing the policies that are affecting so many of our families.
But it also takes leadership from our members of Congress, which has yet to be exhibited locally.
