Where's Our Malcom X?

In honor of "Day a without gay" day today, our good friend and colleque Michael Billy offered up this guest blog.

Throughout December protests were organized across the nation. Gay marriage supporters marched in front of Mormon temples and city halls with signs that read “God hates bigots!” I thought this was going to be our time. Deep down I still hope it will be.

Largely, this depends on the gays. Sorry to say, but the ball is in our court. This “Day without a Gay” thing is little and late. Our community needs to take a few notes from groups like ACT UP and PETA to really create change. Weak and half assed protests like this will only show how disorganized we truly are.

The “Day without a Gay” effort encourages gays and others who oppose the same-sex marriage ban to take off work and volunteer for an advocacy group. The concept mirrors past efforts to have immigrant workers take a day off work to show their economic importance. All of which might work…IF WE WERE ALL ON BOARD!

The idea that a significant number of gays will stay home tomorrow is just ridiculous. Can we all just take a gaze at the history books so we’re all on the same page. The road to equal rights is NOT a yellow brick one Dorothy!” At the VERY least we should be bold enough to protest every catholic church in our communities.

I’m sure “no gay day” will inspire provocative conversation around the water cooler. Hell, it might even open up a few minds when stylists and dance teachers don’t show up to work today. But the effort is weak. If we are not all on board with this protest it will only show weakness. There was a time for diplomacy and a leader like Harvey Milk. That time has passed. Where is our Malcolm X?

It’s been a month since the election and we celebrate how far we have come as a society. As many of us remain shocked at our misconceptions of our neighboring states, we must keep a watchful eye on the last acceptable prejudice. Anyone who uses their own religious “beliefs” as reason to support proposition 8 has the blood of a failed civil rights movement on their hands.

I will not be polite, silent, or cordial. This is a matter of equal civil rights. So Mormons you can take your millions and invest it in some new magic god undies. And to my fellow gays…At the rate we’re going we won’t see rights for another 10 years. Get some balls, stop being polite, and for fucks sake…STOP giving gay awards to straight people because they are nice to you.

The Mormon’s who funded this, the people of California who voted yes, the Catholic church, and ALL who blindly follow silently while disagreeing…there is no question about it, you are responsible. Show some balls.