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Catalina Byrd
Last Sunday many of us watched the Oscars, movies such as Slumdog Millionaire and Frost – Nixon were among the buzz, and one other political movie was about to earn Sean Penn another Oscar. The movie Milk, based on the life of former member of the California Board of Supervisors Harvey Milk, also won best original screenplay. When Dustin Lance Black accepted his award he sent a message to the thousands of gay/bi-transgendered Americans across the country, that message was simply that they too were somebody and worthy of living normal lives as permitted by the Constitution of the United States. Black encouraged a pride in being oneself and a refusal to coward to bigotry and hatred, Penn also delivered a similar message upon accepting his award. Many applauded, but there were some obviously uncomfortable as well, as this night to celebrate the best and the brightest in the art form of filmmaking became one also a platform for a heated political debate – gay rights.
On this issue I do not know if I side with the left or the right, I don’t believe that either side has done enough for this particular group within our borders. In fact it is my opinion that both parties have used these individuals as pedestals for political posturing when convenient and left them to fend for themselves when it is not. Much like the struggles of black people in the U.S. during the civil rights movement, these individuals are the targets of blatant discrimination and acts of violence. In 1999 there were nearly 2,500 reported cases of violence against homosexual citizens. That statistic has risen 10% each year since, and that was 10 years ago. Of that number 1 in 6 were committed against transgendered Americans. That number is staggering to say the least; further more is the fact that you do not hear a word of this in the news on a daily basis although these acts take place on a daily basis. In early 2007 a good friend of mine (whose name is left out as a show of respect to the family) was carjacked in Downtown Baltimore and burned alive in his home. There was no mention of that on the local news either. I wondered with the excessively violent nature of the crime how that could be, then I wondered was it because he was a homosexual man that had made his living as a female impersonator in local clubs? These answers we shall never know, but I will continue to assume the latter.
Where were Al Sharpton and all his righteous indignation when his family deserved answers? Where are the legions of outraged citizens marching up and down Park Avenue and St. Paul Street to demand that arrests be made on behalf of this young man? He too was black, he too had a mother and father that loved him, and he too was a human being. But we do not see those types of demonstrations when homosexuals are involved, not in the black community or any other. Despite the fact that they (the homosexual community) are treated as deplorably as black people were during the time of Dr. King and others, they have no voice to that speaks for them, though it would seem to me that we (black people) having been victims of the same types of discrimination would be the first to step up and stand alongside anyone in the same predicament. Especially since our justification for being worthy of equal rights was that we too were Americans, human beings made by God, and ultimately deserving of respect no matter the color of our skin. The words of Dr. King’s famous I Have A Dream speech are echoed time and time again, and the fact that a person should be judged on the content of their character is one that we are proponents for – but only to a degree I see.
Mine is not a faith that accepts homosexuality, and yet I do not feel empowered to pass judgments on the countless Americans (or members of my family) that are homosexual, whether openly or not. What I do believe in is the principles upon which this nation was founded. While they are not explicitly protected, the rights of the homosexual are indeed included in the framework of this great nation in the same text that made it wrong to demonize and abuse black people. The fact that they have yet to achieve such equalities as the right to legally wed or be at a partner’s bedside when they are ill/dying is unspeakable. These individuals pay taxes, work each day, have hopes and dreams, and are loved by someone – just as we are. What gives us the right as the nation that built itself on the belief that all of its citizens have unalienable rights as human’s beings, to deny them to one of our own? And yes they are one of ours, you may not agree with their lifestyle but that is not grounds for dismissal. How many of you have dated someone that a loved one didn’t agree with? Perhaps they were outside of your race or not a believer of your faith and there were some that took issue with you because of that. Do you remember what that felt like? Can you imagine that being the case each and everyday that you woke up for no other reason than you love or are attracted to whom you are attracted?
My article last week resulted in a number of emails and phone calls, some agreeing with my position and others disgusted that I could say and print such thoughts. I hope that this week’s article leaves the same bad taste in your mouth, because while national email campaigns and endless media coverage showcased those “hurt” by a cartoon, somewhere as I type this, a homosexual American is being the victim of a hate crime. As Al Sharpton and supporters petition the FCC for hearings there is a sick individual afraid and alone in a hospital being denied the right to spend their last moments with their family because who they love is not accepted by the general public. I refuse to follow anymore whether or not any action is taken against the NY Post, what I will do however is see how much longer it takes before we stop letting our phobias about a life choice that we do not understand continues to comfort us as we oppress another group of individuals. Harvey Milk never intended to make a mark on the world, had he not than perhaps writers like Dustin Lance Black would never be heard of and such movies would not have been made, and they (the homosexual community) would be even more in the shadows of society than they already are?
Think long and hard about who and what you hate, then think again about why you do and see if you are not guilty of the same type of bigotry as that experienced by the black American. Civil rights is an issue that is not gender or race specific, it is not faith specific or a matter of age. It is simply and will remain to be those rights that are deserved of a human being. But in this argument those words are whispered into the wind while in those of race they are shouted from the mountain tops. Until every American is free, none of us will be. To accept discrimination on any level is to ensure that it is never obliterated. Which party will stand up and say so? Sean Penn did, Dustin Lance Black did, Harvey Milk did as well and is who inspired them. Until the basic tenants of the argument are recognized for what they are we will see no changes no matter how many movies are made. Until we stand up for all people and not just the ones that we like, civil rights will remain the idealistic dream of Dr. King and Harvey Milk – and we who were intended to be the dreamkeepers will be the reason that the dreams never see reality, for all mankind.
Madame Byrd to be premiered on this weeks upcoming show on the Reporters' Rountable.
For more info: ON this and ALL things Political email me at brothahassan@yahoo.com or visit http://gcommmd.ning.com.
Comments
I love your analogy at th end.............yes we are the DREAMKEEPERS. We cannot rest until the dream is fulfilled.
Well stated Madame Byrd! Life is Life...and IT (being Life) is worth living so why is it that we only covet those we feel are important to society? It vexes my soul to know that any ones life is deemed less important than another human life.
I am moved by Ms. Byrd's essay. As a gay and out Baptist preacher who is studying and writing about anti-LGBT hate crimes, I know the stories of so many Black, Hispanic, Asian, and First Nations LGBT people who have paid the ultimate price for being just who they were. My blog, www.unfinishedlives.wordpress.com, tries to chronicle many of these stories, so that like King, Malcolm X, Emmit Till, and Medgar Evers, the stories of Sakia LaTona Gunn, Simmie Williams, Adolphus Simmons, and Michael J. Sandy will not be lost. Indeed, we who believe in justice cannot rest until it comes. Thanks, Ms. Byrd.
Beautifully stated with some thought-provoking material.
Ms. Byrd, I like how you reminded folks that just because you may not agree and/or since your faith doesn't accept homosexuality, you still refuse to pass judgment. More people need to read this with an open mind. Too often I hear "I don't discriminate" regarding race, culture, etc. but let it be against someone who identifies as GLBT, then it's suddenly different.
..."Until every American is free, none of us will be. To accept discrimination on any level is to ensure that it is never obliterated...."
The sad truth is that Homosexuality or Gay Rights in the U.S is still considered to be a none issue. you have so many people that will quote you scriptures from the Bible claiming that Homosexuality is against GOD and greatly deviates from the Lord's plan us.When the even sadder truth is that we have greatly deviated from the Lord's plan on so main issues. To not allow benefits to be paid to the partners in Gay relationship is just crazy. Love is Love and it never ask that you be of a different sex. I personally am not bothered by Gay relationships. I say live and let live. But those of us who think that way are truly in the minority. Good Work, Catalina.
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