Family Pride’s Blog

This following post was written for Family Pride’s blog by Mike McFall, blogger for the Republic of M, which reports on GLBT issues in Michigan. Mike is a native Michigander, and currently resides in the Metro Detroit area, where both he and his partner Michael are active volunteers with several local GLBT and non-GLBT organizations. We met Michael at one of our OUTSpoken trainings in MI. (Note: The views and opinions expressed are those solely of Mike McFall.)

I search the net on a daily basis looking for Michigan-related GLBT news to comment on or write about, and I always seem to get distracted in one way or another. I am a political junkie, so I am easily distracted. I completely understand how it happens. But, I try my best when writing an article to keep my focus on the goal of Republic of M, to report on Michigan GLBT news. I could easily write about the top issues of the day; pulling our troops out of Iraq, the failed policies of our President, abortion, affirmative action, or even global warming, but I do not. The reason I mention this is because I have increasingly been bombarded by such issues in press releases, newsletters and e-mails from GLBT organizations.

I think it is great that the GLBT community is interested in such issues, as should all good Americans. But, I believe Michigan GLBT organizations need to stay focused on our own issues and not get bogged down with issues outside of our scope and aim. As a struggling minority here in Michigan, I understand we need alliances where we can find them, but I feel sometimes we take on the issues of a “supporting” organization just to bring them into our camp. To what benefit? Not only do these organizations not reciprocate with calls to action surrounding our issues, I also believe this strategy diminishes our own unique position and message.

Now I know some people are going to comment on this article explaining why the above issues are gay issues, and maybe you can convince me otherwise, but I just do not see how any of them are. The above issues affect all Americans, gay or straight. There will inevitably be small numbers of LGBT individuals who have experienced issues like the ones I have described; however, the Michigan LGBT community is not in a position to be taking on those causes when there are still greater issues affecting our people as a whole. Some issues that are specific to the gay community are marriage equality, second parent adoption, domestic partner benefits, workplace protections, and hate crime legislation. Our gay leadership and activists should stay focused on these issues.

I am not saying that we shouldn’t be responsible and concerned; I am saying that until we can legally share lives and benefits, the gay oriented issues should take precedence with GLBT organizations.

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