As I have blogged about before, there does not seem to be a “frame” for gay rights organizations (at least not as extreme as the textbook makes frames seem). Therefore, I don’t think my selected social movement really has any strategies for attracting and retaining its “members.” However, there are strong supporters like Ellen DeGeneres, Kathy Griffin, and Tyra Banks who enforce the acceptance of this lifestyle. There are also television shows that appeal to giving gays the rights they deserve such as Will & Grace, The L Word, and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. I guess what I’m trying to say, is the media is giving this social movement attention, and shedding light on this lifestyle. I think this is the biggest and best strategy the Gay Rights movement has to make people in favor of their cause.
The beginning of the Gay Rights Movement began with the historic Stonewall Riots in 1969. Stonewall was a popular gay bar that was almost always raided by detectives and police. However, on June 27, 1969, something out of the ordinary happened when the bar got raided again: the bar patrons fought back and started a riot. Following this night, riots seemed to be the norm. Even though this event marked the first protest of its kind, gay orientations had existed for years before; homosexual subcultures had existed in a handful of places around the United States since the 1920s (Wright). It is not fair to say that homosexuals had it as bad as African Americans throughout their history. However, the gay lifestyle was heavily frowned upon; gays were oppressed and were sometimes subject to violent hate crimes. Today, they hold almost all the same rights as people of the heterosexual orientation, except they still are not viewed as complete equals.
I do not think that sexual orientation plays a part in what race, gender, socioeconomic class, religion, or political affiliation a person has. Yes, certain political parties and religions heavily frown upon people who chose to love differently, but deciding to be gay is not something a person can help. The gay population is accepting of all other people who chose to live their life the same way; they are all fighting the same cause. Some intersectionalities that might be present in this movement would be the religious and political beliefs and being gay or supporting gay rights. Growing up in an environment where it is heavily influenced that marriage is only allowed by man and woman can be a great struggle for some people who believe differently because being gay is not a switch; you cannot force someone to be straight if that isn’t how they want to live. This is the biggest difficulty that, still, a lot of the public has with this lifestyle.
Wright, Lionel. "The Stonewall Riots - 1969 — A Turning Point in the Struggle for Gay and Lesbian Liberation ." SocialistAlternative.org. N.p., 01 July 1999. Web. 4 Jan 2011. <http://www.socialistalternative.org/literature/stonewall.html>.
I think you really highlight your protest. Your right, it is important for the media to brighten the issues of gays, such as the shows you mentioned. In order for acceptance and gratitude they must make an easy transition and Will and Grace and Ellen Degeneres have really helped to make a good face for the gay population with laughter and true heartfelt experiences and fun.
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