From: an1644@anon.penet.fi
Subject: Boycotts, law suites, and things...
Organization: Anonymous contact service
X-Anonymously-To: soc.motss
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 15:34:15 GMT


I've been thinking (danger! danger!), what do we do now that this boycott, and
counter boycott cycle is on a roll?  Now that we've got popular 
culture's interest,
what are we going to do with it?  Will we be eternally stuck in this 
tit-for-tat
squabble with the right-wing fundamentalist movement.  Always responding to
their attacks by running to court?

In answer to my own enquire, I thought back to the civil rights 
movement of the 60's.
Sure we think of them in passing, when we're trying to get some benefit 
or right.
Bur I'm more interested in what they actually _did_ back then, to make their
movement, a *movement.*  Since I was born just after MLK's assassination,
I have no first-hand information.  My recollection of the films we saw 
in school is vague.

I can remember, however, dark stories of bombs, burning crosses, 
gunshot killings,
and lynchings in the night.  I recall there being non-black supporters who were
jailed, beaten, and murdered.  There were the fire hoses, the German Shepherds,
and the refusal of equal customer service.  And few positive roll 
models could be
found on popular television.

Today, little has changed, yet at the same time, much has changed.  Crosses
continue burn, bombs reappear, and in more than a few instances, customer
service remains un-equal, and some groups must battle to get positive
roll-models on television.  Yet, things are different, one thing in particular.
Groups seem unable to create new and refreshing ways to protest.  Seeing
masses of people parading down streets, or shouting with picket signs have
become almost common occurrences.  Human and civil rights opponents are
less effected by boycotts than before.

So, I'm sitting here thinking, contemplating.  What simple things can 
we do to make
our movement, *move?*  Some options other than grabbing a stick and 
poster board,
and shouting angrily in front of TV cameras.  Okay, we can have a "stand-in."
But where?  Could be the next homecoming.  We could pick a notorious 
opponent to
lesbigay human rights, a clergy perhaps, and organize a "coming out 
blitz."  We could
schedule two people per week to make an appointment in which, we may 
tell our stories,
and concerns about religious oppression.  We can then leave (s)he with 
a message
that they're now responsible for the truth they know.  Singing bands 
could be formed,
people would go to hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages, jails.  If 
rejected, people
would be educated, or at least have to face their fears.

We could go to some suburban/rural hole KKKolorado (some of my best friends are
Coloradans) and walk down their main streets, and shopping malls holding hands,
checking out merchandise, and not spend a dime.  They say we make too much
money to be given the same rights and benefits as non-lesbigay 
citizens, then let's
make contribution groups (for non-gay causes) which would sit right 
along with Microsoft,
Nike, or Boeing.   We're already perverts in their eyes, why don't we 
show them what
ELSE we "perverts", and "sinners" can do.

Like to hear from other thinkers, see discussion on the net.

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