wfn.org | UCC LGBT Coalition urged to 'transform society'

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

> LGBT Coalition urged to 'transform society'

> Written by Tim Kershner
> June 27, 2009

Urvashi Vaid remembers moving to the United States in the 1960s with
her parents. Later as a teenager, she received a green card,
identifying her as a "permanent resident alien."

"We [LGBT] live on a permanent green card," Vaid says. "We pay taxes
and then are denied personal liberties. When LGBT are treated as
second class citizens, our liberties and values are endangered."

"We are in a fight for moral, not just civil equality." LGBT persons
need to "claim our seat. We stand against tradition. We must transform
society, not just fit in."

Vaid, executive director of the Arcus Foundation and a national
advocate for LGBT issues, spoke today at a luncheon for the Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Coalition of the United Church of Christ.

It's been 40 years since the Stonewall riots in New York City,
considered a watershed event in the LGBT movement. Since then, Vaid
says, the LGBT and progressive movements have come a long way and
those involved have learned a great deal, but she cautioned not to
become complacent or comfortable with the progress that has been made.

Too often, she says, some LGBT people enter a comfort zone with terms
such as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" where no risks are taken while no
gains are made. Quoting the poet W.H. Auden who wrote "Each in the
cell of himself is convinced of his own freedom," Vaid urged all to
move forward in securing rights.

"What we're up against is values," she said, values that have become
part of a norm that must change.

The LGBT movement cannot be silent on issues of economic and racial
justice, Vaid says. "Social justice is the ground on which we fight
and on which we stand. "We must work for racial justice in order to
win. We have to [help] the voice of LGBT people of color."

Vaid also believes the culture wars are wearing people out. "The right
[wing] is not less powerful, only on simmer." Their ability to have
"traction" on LGBT issues is changing. People are turning away from
divisive tactics, but slowly. While acceptance of LGBT persons is
rising, polls still find some areas of "queasiness" in regards to
personal issues.

"The moral condemnation of homosexuality has a direct and immediate
result," leading to shame, fear and separation from the wider
community. She believes some people are rethinking their support for
LGBT persons. "It is important for our straight friends to talk about
their LGBT support."

The LGBT community, she says "need to claim our seat." The old systems
of thinking are "collapsing," and the ability of "power and violence
and terror" to keep the LGBT community is going away.