Should Gaga give more attention to trans* people?

[Willy Wonka 4]

How is gay marriage not an actual issue? 

Also the issue of gay marriage does negatively affect people 

It's a joke of an issue compared to the life-threatening actual issues that affect the LGBTQA population. Plus, funding for marriage equality has drained funding from campaigns fighting to actually save the lives of LGBTQA people.

 

 

Ugh, the ignorance. Firstly, marriage inequality is a huge issue facing most people in the lgbt community. It may seem like just a word, but with that word comes a whole new world of federal protections and befits to a family! Tax, health insurance, hospital rights, burial rights, the list goes on and on! Your post saying that it's not actually important is highly, highly offensive and uneducated (and thats the nice way of putting it). Secondly, gaga hasn't even focused on the marriage equality issue in major spotlight in a good year or two. Yet what she has done is create the Born This Way foundation to combat discrimination, bullying, and murders (aren't many in the US any more but...). So to say she has ditched those issues to hop onto marriage equality is beyond plain stupid. 

I'm cackling.

Here's the thing: If you would have asked me to clarify, I gladly would've. And I would've done so politely. But you rushing in on your Tumblr-social-justice-warrior high horse and asserting that I'm ignorant and uneducated... Hahahaha.

No, I'm just too educated to buy into the bullshiit that is "marriage equality". Do you not see the privilege and arrogance in your statements? Hahaha. Jesus Christ. "Marriage inequality is a huge issue facing most people in the lgbt community." Maybe in your naive state of mind, yes. You seem to think all gays are the wealthy, fabulous gays they show on TV. That's not reality. Marriage equality is nothing but a classist issue. You, my dear, show your own ignorance.

Please, before you throw around laughable and shallow accusations, actually think about what you're saying.

Let's start your education now, shall we?

 

 

Gays and lesbians of all ages are obsessing over gay marriage as if it's going to cure AIDS, stop anti-queer/anti-trans violence, provide all uninsured queers with health care, and reform racist immigration policies. Unfortunately, marriage does little more than consolidate even more power in the hands of already privileged gay couples engaged in middle class hetero-mimicry.

Let's be clear: The national gay marriage campaign is NOT a social justice movement. Gay marriage reinforces the for-profit medical industrial complex by tying access to health care to employment and relational status. Gay marriage does not challenge patent laws that keep poor/working class poz folks from accessing life-extending medications. Gay marriage reinforces the nuclear family as the primary support structure for youth even though nuclear families are largely responsible for queer teen homelessness, depression and suicide. Gay marriage does not challenge economic systems set up to champion people over property and profit. Gay marriage reinforces racist immigration laws by only allowing productive, "good", soon-to-be-wed, non-citizens in while ignoring the rights of migrant workers. Gay marriage simply has nothing to do with social justice.

 

 

In addition, over the last few years we have seen the Maine Speak Out Project and the Charlie Howard Memorial Library close their doors in Portland while the few remaining LGBT youth advocacy groups across the state scrounge just to keep their doors open after most of them folded in the late nineties. The Department of Education has also announced that it will no longer be funding HIV Prevention Outreach Educators as of June 2010. A particularly horrifying scenario for the queer community here, as queer men account for 67% of people living with HIV [pdf] in Maine.

While essential services are disappearing, organizations are closing, and new gaps in services for aging LGBTQ folks are being identified, the marriage campaign in Maine is spending money with abandon. The No on 1 group spent close to $6 million dollars over the duration of the campaign, taking in $1.4 million dollars in donations in the first three weeks of October alone. In a state with a tanking economy, this kind of reckless spending on a single issue campaign that isn't even a top priority for most LGBT folks is blatant and unrestrained classism at its worst.

To put this budget in perspective, the largest funding source for LGBT organizations in the state is the Equity Fund, which only distributes $40,000 dollars a year amongst the numerous LGBT applicant organizations.

SOURCE: http://www.bilerico.com/2009/11/against_equality_in_maine_and_everywhere.php

 

 

AND A QUOTE THAT SEEMS APPROPRIATE:

 

I'm against the idea that marriage should grant rights and benefits, and I don't think couples - gay or straight - are special people who deserve to be rewarded for their “commitment.† Gay marriage is an emotional, social, and cultural issue – by all means, argue for it if you'd like to have your relationship validated by whatever forces you deem important.  But don’t turn it into a social justice issue by pretending that it's about establishing parity and equal rights for everyone.  When gays argue for gay marriage as the way to establish health care and guarantee benefits, they're essentially giving the finger to anyone - straight or gay – who chooses not to inhabit the institution of marriage.

SOURCE: http://www.yasminnair.net/content/why-i-won%E2%80%99t-come-out-national-coming-out-day-9-october-2008

 

Extra Reading: http://www.yasminnair.net/content/gay-marriages-economic-underside

[Willy Wonka 4]

While I'm completely sympathetic and compassionate towards the transgender community, I feel like this is getting greedy. And I don't really want to use that word because it feels wrong in this context, but really no other word fits. Lady Gaga is arguably the biggest star in the world who focuses so much time, energy, publicity, and money supporting the causes of all people who are different. When I read posts like this, I always get the impression that it's written with a "woe is me" attitude, when really your biggest advocate is trying to help you! But they aren't being specific enough??? C'mon. You are a part of a community that accepts you for who you are. The whole struggle of the LGBT community is that we just want to fit in and be accepted as a whole. Yet when we make progress, one specific subgroup isn't getting enough attention?! 

And yes, I do understand that she has a huge public spotlight on her which she can use to educate, but keep you're "boo-who I have it worse than them why aren't you focusing on me" attitude to a minimum because she spreads love equally to all! I found that last comment about comparing your struggle with others to be completely out of place and inappropriate. We don't make progress through mopping about who has it worse off, thats not constructive. 

wait wait wait

You called me ignorant and now you're saying this ****? Are you kidding me?

The 'T' part of 'LGBT' has historically been ignored, or as some like to say, "the T is silent". "LGBT Rights Groups" and such have repeatedly dropped the 'T' in order to make progress for the 'LGB'. 

 

In 2007, HRC came under massive scrutiny when they supported a version of the Employee Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) which would prohibit discrimination of employees based on s-xual orientation. In the hopes of passing the bill, HRC supported a version that excluded protections for employees facing discrimination based on gender identity. In order to justify their exclusion of transgender people from ENDA, they said that the passing of that version of the bill would ensure a later version of the bill which did include trans people. Simply put, trans people could wait their turn.

http://sundial.csun.edu/2011/10/equality-for-some-a-critique-of-the-human-rights-campaign/

 

FURTHERMORE: http://www.advocate.com/politics/marriage-equality/2013/04/01/hrc-and-coalition-apologize-silencing-undocumented-trans

http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2007/10/why-transgender-community-hates-hrc.html

 

You may ask why I chose to focus on HRC? Because this is the organization that Lady Gaga has repeatedly worked with. Trans* people face different issues than LGB people, even within the so-called "LGBT community". Trans* people do not get the same respect and attention, nor campaigning and lobbying, that the LGB community does. What you're doing in this situation is what has systematically been done to the 'T' in the 'LGBT' movement for years- when the 'T' tries to point out that they are not getting the same rights and benefits as the rest of the "community", they are derided for being divisive and ungrateful. NO. They are simply wanting to be a part of the rest of the community.

 

The solution is not to tell trans* people to basically shut up and be happy with what they get. It's to increase visibility and dialogue about the unique situation of trans* people and fight for their inclusion in the "community's" fight for rights.

[Miky 9,565]

She shouldn't be focusing on any specific part of her fanbase: rather, she should just consistenly address fans as simply fans. I'm straight and I fully support LGBT rights and have no issue with them, but she often leaves me cold with her constant gay preaching. Love is not specific to one gender or orientation; it transcends labels and works for everyone. So she should preach love to everyone, not just a certain orientation or two.

 

This.

[SlayedForTheGod 665]

I get what your saying but I think the "preaching" is what kinda got the GP sick of her. That she was overplayed.

[Celina 118]

In my opinion she should give some attention to straights finally.

 

You forgot the

 

 

... I hope...

[Paper Gangsta 6,693]

No

In my opinion she should give some attention to straights finally.

This !

[Chic 20,830]

While I'm completely sympathetic and compassionate towards the transgender community, I feel like this is getting greedy. And I don't really want to use that word because it feels wrong in this context, but really no other word fits. Lady Gaga is arguably the biggest star in the world who focuses so much time, energy, publicity, and money supporting the causes of all people who are different. When I read posts like this, I always get the impression that it's written with a "woe is me" attitude, when really your biggest advocate is trying to help you! But they aren't being specific enough??? C'mon. You are a part of a community that accepts you for who you are. The whole struggle of the LGBT community is that we just want to fit in and be accepted as a whole. Yet when we make progress, one specific subgroup isn't getting enough attention?!

And yes, I do understand that she has a huge public spotlight on her which she can use to educate, but keep you're "boo-who I have it worse than them why aren't you focusing on me" attitude to a minimum because she spreads love equally to all! I found that last comment about comparing your struggle with others to be completely out of place and inappropriate. We don't make progress through mopping about who has it worse off, thats not constructive.

Ugh, the ignorance. Firstly, marriage inequality is a huge issue facing most people in the lgbt community. It may seem like just a word, but with that word comes a whole new world of federal protections and befits to a family! Tax, health insurance, hospital rights, burial rights, the list goes on and on! Your post saying that it's not actually important is highly, highly offensive and uneducated (and thats the nice way of putting it). Secondly, gaga hasn't even focused on the marriage equality issue in major spotlight in a good year or two. Yet what she has done is create the Born This Way foundation to combat discrimination, bullying, and murders (aren't many in the US any more but...). So to say she has ditched those issues to hop onto marriage equality is beyond plain stupid.

It isn't just about getting the message about transgendered people out there for the public to get used to and so that transgenderism can be made a non-issue; it's about getting the message out just enough that the people who need help can get it. Like I said, I didn't know I was transgendered and I'm her fan. I wish she'd make some sort of public message specific to trans people, because if she had in the past, then being the fan I am, I would have seen it and known sooner.

Also, transgender people generally have a LOT more on their plate than gay or bis-xual people. Trans people sometimes have to come out multiple times to their families because of even more confusion, in a manner that gets even more people kicked out of their families because of how much more extreme it is. A lot of people say transgenderism is just an extreme form of being gay, but it's not a s-xuality. Tons of trans people are straight.

Trans people have to spend upwards of $60,000 for a full transition, and that's on the good end. They have to live with gender dysphoria and often live their lives in stealth, hiding their identity so they can be who they are without question. It's LAUGHABLE that anyone could even imply that, IN GENERAL, gay people have it worse than trans people.

And anyway, if it can't have public attention, it might as well have sympathy, because it doesn't have much else on its side.

No

This !

There's no good response I can think of to this.

Maybe just that I highly dislike your way of thinking.

[boobtank 9,090]

It's a joke of an issue compared to the life-threatening actual issues that affect the LGBTQA population. Plus, funding for marriage equality has drained funding from campaigns fighting to actually save the lives of LGBTQA people.

 

This

[MJHolland 12,725]

wait wait wait

You called me ignorant and now you're saying this ****? Are you kidding me?

The 'T' part of 'LGBT' has historically been ignored, or as some like to say, "the T is silent". "LGBT Rights Groups" and such have repeatedly dropped the 'T' in order to make progress for the 'LGB'. 

http://sundial.csun.edu/2011/10/equality-for-some-a-critique-of-the-human-rights-campaign/

 

FURTHERMORE: http://www.advocate.com/politics/marriage-equality/2013/04/01/hrc-and-coalition-apologize-silencing-undocumented-trans

http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2007/10/why-transgender-community-hates-hrc.html

 

You may ask why I chose to focus on HRC? Because this is the organization that Lady Gaga has repeatedly worked with. Trans* people face different issues than LGB people, even within the so-called "LGBT community". Trans* people do not get the same respect and attention, nor campaigning and lobbying, that the LGB community does. What you're doing in this situation is what has systematically been done to the 'T' in the 'LGBT' movement for years- when the 'T' tries to point out that they are not getting the same rights and benefits as the rest of the "community", they are derided for being divisive and ungrateful. NO. They are simply wanting to be a part of the rest of the community.

 

The solution is not to tell trans* people to basically shut up and be happy with what they get. It's to increase visibility and dialogue about the unique situation of trans* people and fight for their inclusion in the "community's" fight for rights.

Speak of the House John Beohner specifically said he killed the anti-workplace discrimination bill based solely on the fact that it created the same protection for gender-identity/trans people. If it wasn't for that addition, million of gay americans would have job security right now. It had enough votes in order to pass the house, yet it wasn't brought to the floor for that one reason. I'm not saying that Boehner is right in denying job protection the trans citizens, because that is disgusting, but I personally always follow the principle of "greatest good for the greatest about of people". In 32 states in america right now, you can be fired for being gay AND be denied all services in the private sector. 

And your blatant disregard of same-s-x marriage recognition is infuriating. I don't think you realize the hundreds of tax breaks and benefits that MARRIAGE ALONE proves a couple! No other legally recognized relationship (civil union) even comes close to the amount of protection and benefits supplied by marriage. I really urge you to look into the benefits that heteros-xual couples get through marriage on the state and federal level and come back to here. 

[Willy Wonka 4]

 

And your blatant disregard of same-s-x marriage recognition is infuriating. I don't think you realize the hundreds of tax breaks and benefits that MARRIAGE ALONE proves a couple! No other legally recognized relationship (civil union) even comes close to the amount of protection and benefits supplied by marriage. I really urge you to look into the benefits that heteros-xual couples get through marriage on the state and federal level and come back to here. 

read my other post and educate yourself babe

SO many issues are of greater importance to the LGBTQA community than marriage equality

marriage equality is a classist issue that only seeks to benefit the privileged gays

[Lascivious 0]

You guys expect way too much from Gaga and keep asking for more and more. 

[craig 680]

She should go easy on stuff that makes her seem like a GLBT niche artist.

Do something that appeals to young females, or outsiders (nerds, bullied kids) in general.

[Helix 1,487]

I think she should defo put a focus on them!
First I think she should build her career back up again and promote Trans* people at the same time and then when her career is back at a comfortable height she should start supporting them hardcore.

She should spread out with her activism imo. She's done good things and I'd like to see her continue and do NEW good things for different groups.

[MJHolland 12,725]

read my other post and educate yourself babe

SO many issues are of greater importance to the LGBTQA community than marriage equality

marriage equality is a classist issue that only seeks to benefit the privileged gays

I'm sorry that you're so cynical that you think loving relationships are a "class" specific thing...

Another thing as well: I didn't call you ignorant or uneducated. I called what you were posting ignorant and uneducated. Hopefully that is accurate, because I rather believe that you just are unaware of the protection that marriage alone provides, rather than actually knowing them and being stupid enough to look over them. I gave your post the benefit of the doubt really. But I would ever jump to the conclusion that you as a whole person are ignorant or uneducated from one post, because this is just one topic. Additionally, a person can say something ignorant and dumb without that person being considered ignorant and dumb; we all make mistakes. 

Again, I highly suggest you just at least Google the benefits of state and federal recognized marriage, because it is so, so much more than the government giving you permission to do so. 

Lastly on the subject of Gaga specifically, the main goal of any civil rights movement is to get the government to classify a minority as a protected group. Period. That was the case in the civil rights movement for African Americans too. This won't fix all of the problems that such a minority will face though, but single handedly it is the biggest action in gaining sweeping rights. The best way to push for getting a minority, and specifically the LGBT community, recognized as a protected group? Visibility. By far. Gaga still does that more than anyone else in the entire world. Even if she doesn't say anything, universally she is seen as a symbol for LGBT pride. My OP was to say that instead of trying to stand out even more and distinguish yourself from the LGB part of the community, rise and gain respect with it.

Now please go Google the benefits of state and federally recognized marriage.

[Ladle Ghoulash 28,762]

Absolutely. She needs to stop with gay marriage and focus on actual issues that are negatively impacting the LGBTQA community.

I don't understand why you don't understand the value of marriage equality as a stepping stone. If society can't even understand same-s-x marriage, how can they even begin to understand concepts that are even more foreign to our heteronormative society (trans people, gender fluid people etc etc)?