I don't think anyone believes straight women shouldn't work for gay rights or that the issues aren't intertwined (because they are and gay people should also care about feminism for this same reason). The problem, as I see it, is when straight women say they experience the same type (not quantity, TYPE) of oppression as gay men or gay women (who experience some different types of oppression themselves) and argue that they are somehow more legitimate participants in this civil rights battle than the people who are themselves directly affected. We need straight allies, not straight rescuers.
These same issues come up in anti-racism work. Yes, white women experience oppression. That is not the some oppression as people of color experience.
Allies need to take their cues from the people they are working with and for. It means not just being an activist, but being a good listener even if sometimes it is uncomfortable or feels unfair.
It's the listening part where people of all sorts in all sorts of fights tend to fall down.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2010-02-07 09:01 pm (UTC)These same issues come up in anti-racism work. Yes, white women experience oppression. That is not the some oppression as people of color experience.
Allies need to take their cues from the people they are working with and for. It means not just being an activist, but being a good listener even if sometimes it is uncomfortable or feels unfair.
It's the listening part where people of all sorts in all sorts of fights tend to fall down.