The National Equality March: let's think about it

The National Equality March on Washington made headlines last weekend, and deservedly so. But I wonder how many of the people who marched on the nation's capital carried with them the true meaning of equality?

You see, there's a distinct class structure even within the gay community that defies equality. It reflects the very constructs of class that exists in the larger society. In the gay community, it's one that places the concerns of rich white gays and lesbians over others. It even engenders the same imperialistic notions we see in the larger society.

For example, there were some marchers who suggested that a conference of black LGBT writers, artists and thinkers from around the world who gathered last week in Austin for the third Fire & Ink Cotillion, change its date in order to accommodate the National Equality March, even though the Fire & Ink conference had been set long before the suggestion of the march. To add fire to the flames, some of the marchers even declared that the refusal to change the Fire & Ink conference date is further testament of lack of support by the black LGBT community. They didn't look at the fact that we are fighting the same fight, but on different fronts; instead they continue to hold to their white-is-right notions. It's an imperialistic view that grows out of a legacy of racism. How will those marchers address this type of attitude?

Equal rights for gays and lesbians will pass legal muster sooner than some might think. It can be seen in the presence it has in conversations regarding civil rights and in the changing views of a growing number of former opponents such as the black clergy as well as members of the Republican Party. But once equal rights for gays have been won, where does the larger LGBT community go in terms of fighting injustice? Are equal rights for same-sex couples the final challenge for the LGBT community? How far will words like freedom, equality, justice and liberty fly in the gay community once the fight for equal rights have been won? Will issues like racism, health & economic disparity, gender inequality and gender identification (i.e. trans gender orientation), just to name a few, take center stage?

Some might say it's too soon to ask such questions because the basic fight for equality has not been won. I disagree. There were many who marched on Washington yesterday, who are well aware of their elite status; yet, there were numerous others who marched who may remain disaffected even after gay rights have been won.

The National March on Washington was necessary. However, true advancement towards equality happens in the hearts and minds with a full awareness of what equality means. If not, all the posturing we saw this weekend in the nation's capital was half baked or even a sham.