The Party for Socialism and Liberation’s Lindsay/Osorio 2012 campaign stands for full equality and liberation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Our campaign’s 10-Point Program includes a demand for full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, including making same-sex marriage a federal right, and fighting anti-LGBT discrimination and violence.
Although there has been no shortage of tragic reminders of the prevalence of bigotry, through determination and militancy major victories have been won over the last year. The dedication of the hundreds of thousands of fighters for equal rights is an inspiration to all oppressed people.
After the historic victory for marriage equality in New York last summer, which more than doubled the number of people who live in a state where same-sex marriage is legal, Maryland and Washington state followed suit, passing same-sex marriage legislation that will be implemented pending the outcome of ballot measures in November. (Liberation News, Feb. 25)
There have also been major legal victories. In February, California’s bigoted Proposition 8 was again ruled unconstitutional by a federal court, and on May 31 a federal court ruled again that the definition of marriage in the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional.
Unfortunately, Prop 8 and DOMA are still in effect pending appeals of these rulings. Another major advance was made when the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced that it would enforce laws against discrimination in hiring directed at transgendered people. (Liberation News, May 13)
One of the biggest headline-grabbing developments has been President Obama’s announcement the he personally felt that gays and lesbians should be allowed to marry. Although this was coupled with assurances that he would take no action to back up his statement, it is a significant political victory, and was followed by many other affirmations in support of same-sex marriage by political figures and major organizations, including the NAACP Board. The credit for these developments goes to the LGBT movement for tirelessly fighting for equality and refusing to go back into the closet.
At the same time, bigoted right-wing forces have stepped up their attacks. LGBT youth in particular have been targeted, and the epidemic of youth suicides has been met with official indifference or contempt. Marriage equality was dealt a blow in May when North Carolina became the 31st state to pass a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Earlier in the year, a marriage equality bill was vetoed by the governor in New Jersey. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act still has not been passed and in 29 states it is legal to fire someone because they are lesbian, gay, or bisexual, and in 34 states it is legal to fire someone for being transgender.
How can we defeat these attacks and go on the offensive for equal rights? We can learn a great deal from the historic Stonewall uprising, which the annual Pride events commemorate.
On June 28, 1969, cops raided the Stonewall Inn bar in New York City that served LGBT customers. Although police harassment was and is a common feature of life for the LGBT community, this time the patrons fought back. The confrontation soon escalated into a full-fledged rebellion that swept across Greenwich Village.
Needless to say, there were no Democratic Party politicians helping the people fight the bigoted cops. Despite the horror this uprising caused among capitalist officialdom, through courage and militancy the Stonewall rebels launched the modern LGBT liberation movement.
With the same spirit of independence and struggle, we can organize and win. At the same time, the liberation of all oppressed people and a radically new, socialist society can guarantee full, lasting equality.
The Party for Socialism and Liberation is an active part of the movement for LGBT rights. Our 2012 candidates Peta Lindsay for president and Yari Osorio for vice president call for federal recognition of same-sex marriage, an end to anti-LGBT discrimination in all sectors of society, and aggressive measures against bigoted violence and hate crimes. Equality will be won in the streets—keep up the fight!
