Young, gay and politically dissatisfied
For those of you who don’t know Wolf, she’s one of the nation’s leading queer and socialist activists. Her book, Sexuality and Socialism, changed the way I view the political process of this country – hell, this world. She taught me that we cannot rely on politicians to help win us our civil rights, like marriage equality. Instead, we have to do it ourselves. How? In the most general sense, it’s all about education and activism. I feel like people in our community who are my age (20 or so) are lacking in that first area: Education.
With Feb. 22 marking the mayoral and aldermanic elections in Chicago, I have quite a bit on my mind. This election is sure to mark the beginning of new era here, the post-Daley era. Basically, the implications for this city are pretty huge. I don’t have to elaborate on that. What worries me is that I’ve encountered friends and acquaintances who don’t have a damned clue about anything going on in this election. That’s absolutely ridiculous and it’s a problem.
Every election is a big deal. It’s a test of the public’s knowledge and our involvement in the community. To see young queer people like me who are so disengaged in something of this magnitude is, frankly, scary.
While I agree with Wolf about where our power as queer people lies, I still think that it’s important for everyone to vote. Electing a new mayor may not guarantee the delivery of our civil rights, but it allows us to be active in the selection process of a new mayor and the dozens of alderman who represent our neighborhoods. To me, being knowledgeable about who’s running and what they stand for gives me an idea of how they will potentially govern our city. The prospect of going along without the slightest idea about the candidates and where to vote is, you guessed it, irresponsible.
To be gay and clueless about politics is like being naked in the dark, defenseless. How can you get anywhere when you can’t see, and how can you win when there are all these forces and hate groups acting against you? In order for us to take the rights we are entitled to enjoy and shape the future into one of equality, then we need to actively seek out information. Like I said in my last column, we need to know what we’re up against. No more of this ignorance. I don’t want to have to explain to another friend who Rahm Emanuel is or the implications of the new civil union law. You should already be on top of that. You heard me, close your Grindr app and read an article or two about today’s race – you might just learn something. That’s the least you can do to help maintain your power as a queer citizen.
I’ll be fair and say that it’s not as easy at it sounds. With work and school and homework and your sink full of dishes and your relationship, it’s hard to find time and motivation to care. I’m right there with you. It’s so easy to sit back and hope that one day I’ll be considered equal, that one day a president or court or legislature will suddenly make me equal. Maybe a miracle will occur and the government will give us what we demand. But until then, it’s all in our hands. So take a look at Gay Chicago Magazine’s endorsement issue, get to know the candidates and vote, not for someone who promises to fight for our rights (because, seriously, what is a mayor going to do about the federal marriage ban?), but for someone who you entrust with our city.
Going back to what Wolf said, we need to focus on what we can do to achieve equality, and that starts with reading up on the movement. Wolf recommends works by John D’Emilio and Estelle Freedman. Watch Milk, the movie. Those are great places to start. So, after all, I want you to consider two things: Educate yourself about politics and the gay rights movement, and do something to make things better, like participate in a protest and vote. And if you care enough, the former will lead to the latter.
Tony Merevick
Now in gay Chicago...
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