Then and Now
In 1970, Gay Liberation Front women vowed to work for a common understanding among all people. Lesbianism is the most complete and fulfilling relationship with another woman and a valid lifestyle. Their statement of purpose defined consciousness rising as a primary goal.
so
that our sisters understand our oppression and fight against it… We denounce the fact that society’s rewards and privileges are only given to us when we hide and split our identity. We encourage self-determination and will work for changes in the lesbian self-image, as well as in society, to permit the "coming out" of each gay woman into society as a lesbian…
Raising consciousness of people in all movements, so they become aware of their sexism.
Raising the consciousness of our sisters active in Women’s Liberation to openly acknowledge and actively support lesbians, with attitude of solidarity…We feel the core oppression of women is the lesbian’s oppression and the ultimate liberation of women is through the liberation of lesbians. Real freedom for lesbians will mean the end of all oppressive relationships based on male dominance and the compulsion women feel to seek male approval and support.
Women’s Liberation groups must undertake consciousness- raising on lesbianism. They must accept among their leadership admitted and publicly known lesbians. They must make explicit their acceptance of the lesbian life style now implicit in their analysis.
Feminists speak of rejecting role-playing, but fail to see the pressures in society during children’s formative years to love men over women.
They say that women should be free to govern their own bodies, but fail to grant the freedom of sexual preference.
They denounce stereotyped male and female attitudes and characteristics, but fail to accept as natural the so-called masculine female and so-called feminine male.
They talk about being independent of men, but do not see that the lesbian life style is the ultimate form of independence.
They talk of love among women, but do not include physical expression of that love.
Education of the public to recognize homosexuals as an oppressed minority and to destroy stereotyped images based on and perpetuated by society’s hostility. To fight prejudice with reason and love…
As you can see, lesbians were starting to demand the women’s movement include us as equal partners in the fight for freedom. This struggle went on for many years and still today some women’s group do not realize the importance of accepting us.
This discrimination caused lesbians to work independently on issues that directly affected their lives. More lesbians started joining gay brothers to focus on gay/lesbian issues because they knew the women’s movement did not welcome them, openly.
Next week I will begin sharing my personal journey into this change of direction lesbians took. I have mentioned a few things in the past articles and will expand on them and add others.
Until next week, I hope everyone has a great week.
I’d love to hear from you. Any comments?
I can be reached at: bfairyduff@msn.com
WE MUST STAY ALERT AND STAND READY TO FIGHT AS A BACKLASH HAS STARTED TO REMOVE WHAT RIGHTS WE HAVE FOUGHT FOR AND ARE STILL STRUGGLE TO WIN!!!
Please email questions or comments to bfairyduff@msn.com
Yeah! OBAMA WON!