What Went Wrong in Maine? California? Florida? New York? et al.
After numerous defeats during the past couple of years, activists are reevaluating their tactics in pushing for equal rights for LGBT people. Gay activists were stunned when voters in Maine struck down a law legalizing same-sex marriage. You will remember that the law had previously been passed by Maine’s legislative body. 52.8 percent of the people who voted wanted the law repealed. Many activists wonder how this happened again. Did we learn nothing from Amendment 2 in Florida or Proposition 8 in California? Many people want to know what went wrong.
Maine is a great case study for activism, the kind of activism that is often in conflict with the agenda of many LGBT rights groups.
In Maine the pro-gay marriage groups raised over two times the amount of money than did the groups opposed to the new law. Thousands of Maine citizens went door to door and worked phone banks about equality for all Maine citizens. Jesse Connolly from the Protect Maine equality group said, “Hundreds of thousands of Maine voters stood for equality, but in the end, it wasn’t enough.” Marc Mutty, a spokesperson for the Yes on 1 Campaign said, “We prevailed because the people of Maine, the silent majority, the folks back home, spoke with their vote.”
After the defeat many activists decided to blame our new president. “He should have been more active and spoken up for equality”, many have said. Others have blamed the Democratic National Committee for not supporting equality in Maine. Now, finally, activists are beginning to question the state-to-state approach of gaining equality and equal rights for all people. Do I think all of these people and groups can share in the blame for the defeat in Maine and throughout the US? Yes, but to a minimal degree. So who is at fault?
Evan Wolfson, executive director, Freedom to Marry said, “We will work harder and learn better to dispel the distractions and fears that are keeping a smaller and smaller slice of Americans from treating others fairly. Each conversation, each day, each story, each win will bring America closer to equality in marriage.”
Here are my thoughts. First, state-by-state fights for marriage equality are not worth the time and energy given to the fight. Benefits from recognized marriage come from the federal government and that is where the fight must take place. Other than a brief moment of satisfaction, I gain very little by being able to marry someone in Florida if the marriage is not recognized by the federal government. I have many friends who have gone to other states and to Canada to marry their partners (some after many, many years of being together in monogamous relationships). I applaud them if it is what they wish to do and it makes them happy. But from a purely political viewpoint, how does a marriage in Canada benefit the couple when they are living in Florida? Again, I get the personal benefits and would likely do the same thing in their situation; but, does it really matter in the wonderful world of politics?
Second, whatever happened to grassroots work on the local level? We have failed to teach many young people the importance of voting in EVERY election—and we older folks seem to have forgotten the power of our vote as well. With all due respect to local political action and community service groups, there is little to no training and organization in Central Florida to get out a vote when we have elections. I am thankful for the work the groups do, but too often raising money is the primary focus. The focus must be on the individual level. Maine, while still losing, did a great job with door-to-door canvassing of neighborhoods. Where are our local efforts?
Finally, in fighting for LGBT issues in state legislatures we spend all of the hard earned donations to activist groups on lobbyists. I am not saying this doesn’t have a place in our activist efforts; I am saying it cannot be the only place where our local money goes. Lobbyists are expensive and often produce few results. Donations are slipping in the current economy. Money is tight for all groups. With this reality, many activists groups spend more time trying to raise funds than they do in training local folks about grassroots politics. Then when it is time for a vote we are shocked when mechanisms are not in place to win an election or that the general population is not as excited about the issue as those who run organizations. Our lobbyists only get one vote—just like every other citizen. Is a party to raise funds at “a really fabulous home” more important or even of equal importance to teaching the local electorate about our issues and organizing a “get out the vote” campaign? As one who has no money to contribute to the cause (in the denominations suggested by our local groups at their fabulous fundraising events), I suggest trying the grassroots approach. 10 people giving $20 is just as good as one person giving $200. And I don’t even care where your event is held. Then when it is time to vote you have 10 votes instead of just one. Ignore those of us who are middle class and lower to middle class at your own peril. But don’t be shocked when we keep losing battles for equality.
