Unity? Yes, Unity!
"Where there is unity, there is always victory." --Publius Syrus, Roman author
If you ask me, now is an important time for the LGBT community in South Texas, and in San Antonio, in particular. I feel very strongly that we are poised for greatness and for unity in a way that perhaps we never have been before.
First, though, let's face a few facts: Anyone who starts to meet other LGBT people around town and talk about organizations and groups quickly hears (as I did a few years ago) the following statement: "Well, there are some groups doing good things here and there, but the LGBT community is - and has been - pretty divided." I guess I have seen sparks of those divisions, but I've heard more stories about the past than I have witnessed division in the present. Many acknowledge it is a sad fact that sometimes egos get in the way and sometimes people want success more as a feather in their caps than as a success for all their brothers and sisters in arms. Here is the truth, though: egos will always exist and always threaten unity in ANY human enterprise, and we are much more united than some are willing to believe.
Several individuals in the community have remarked to me that they are surprised and heartened by the fact that many LGBT leaders or organizations have begun dialoguing in a very open way about how to progress. Part of this dialogue includes being open to new ideas, new ways of doing things, and an awareness of opportunities for improvement. A big part of this process means that we must be willing to provide and receive constructive criticism (with a supreme emphasis on "constructive"). I give a great deal of credit to HRC's San Antonio chapter for recently welcoming evaluations and commentary from new voices for their recent outreach to attract students across San Antonio.
When it comes to unity, the most amazing recent success story involves the new Flour Bluff High School Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), the formation of which had previously been blocked by the school's principal. Many groups from across the state traveled to the school near Corpus Christi to demonstrate in favor of the GSA, including representatives from Equality Texas, United Church of Christ, Metropolitan Community Church, Dignity-San Antonio, DANSA, and GetEqual. Other GSAs participated as well, such as the group from TAMU-CC. Although each organization certainly has its own approach to dealing with fighting for equality, to see them unite successfully is truly inspiring.
If we desire true unity, one effort I believe is essential is the push for full inclusion of transgender people. Several organizations on the national stage, and many on the state and local stages, have changed their stance in recent years to only fight for lesbian, gay, and bisexual rights ONLY if transgender rights are included as well. Rights are rights, and if we recognize how the "LGB" community is intrinsically tied in with the "T" community in our mutual struggles for social justice, then we have succeeded inbreaking down the barriers of prejudice within our own populations.
Lastly, if we acknowledge that there are many ways to be activists (and of course, many ways to "be" gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender), then we have a common starting point for any conversation - and thus a strong possibility for action. Organizations are vital. They are necessary ways to unite, get the word out, and to get the ball rolling towards the inevitable realization of full equality. But we must never forget the people in the organizations and the humanity that those people possess. The time is ripe to unite, to put aside egos, and to maintain an optimistic, unified attitude. There will always be setbacks and there will always be disagreements, but unity in San Antonio's LGBT community is a reality waiting to happen.
Together in pride,
Richard Farias
Editor
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