In 2004, conservatives introduced mean-spirited and divisive bills to ban any relationship rights for same sex couples in eight states (AR, GA, KY, MS, MT, ND, OH, OK). Though LGBT Activists in these states worked hard to oppose the measures, we lost each and every one.
In the long run however, it turned out to be a "one step back, two steps forward" outcome for these states. Most notably, the Kentucky LGBT community has come back stronger, and more effective. They did some amazing movement-building work to fight their ballot measure. With the help of some skilled activists, including my friend Mandy Carter, they organized not just to take a principled stand against the amendment, but to strengthen LGBT Advocacy in the state.
I still remember meeting some folks from Kentucky at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and meeting some of the folks from the Kentucky Fairness Alliance, I was amazed at how fired-up they were to continue their work after suffering such a big defeat.
As we prepare to face similar ballot measures in at least seven states this November, there is an important lesson to learn from Kentucky. You can indeed lose the battle, but ultimately win the war. As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice".
Today, the Kentucky Fairness Alliance (KFA) is kicking ass. They received national attention for challenging their Governor for supporting a private, Baptist-affiliated school that proudly discriminates against LGBT students. For the first time in years, KFA took concrete steps towards passing a non-discrimination bill in their state. And when the state legislative session ended in April, KFA had defeated every anti-gay bill that was introduced this year.
As we look to fighting the anti-gay measures in 2006, we need to learn from Kentucky. Some of us in the LGBT community believe we should focus our time and our money on the states that have a chance of winning, like Wisconsin, and not waste our time in states like South Carolina and Alabama where we are likely to suffer defeat.
Our community has limited financial resources, so it's only natural to want to use those funds most effectively. And if you are only looking in the short-term, it makes sense to spend money where you can have electoral success.
But if Kentucky is any example, investments in states that are likely to lose their ballot measure could ultimately have the biggest payout.
Posted by David at May 28, 2006 04:11 PM
Michigan is seeing very similar results- record-breaking attendance at Pride events, a rapidly-growing statewide PAC, a statewide lobbying organization that has grown so much it has added two staffers since 2004.
I think focusing on the states where we have a shot is important - if we spread outselves too thin there, we may let that chance slip through out fingers. But I also think we need to be alert for two things: one, states where a win is out of reach but there is a great oppotunity for capacity building, and two, the fact that elections are by nature volatile and changable and that more states besides Wisconsin may emerge as winnable and we need to support them just as much.
So, keep your eyes peeled and give generously. As JFK said, "The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word 'crisis.' One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger - but recognize the opportunity."
