Criticisms of HRC and the issues of addressing every civil rights issue at the same time.

[nextdrinksonme]

I've just read lots of criticisms of the HRC and the red = sign going around. The most prevalent ones are that the HRC has a problematic history regarding trans* folks and queer POC. Both of these I agree are issues. If you want to protect the rights of the QUILTBAG, you have to protect the rights of every letter and every person represented by

Comments

[tediousandbrief]

I hadn't heard about HRC's apparent position on transsexual/misgendered people until recently. I find that kinda shocking.

"That marriage is a conservative, misogynistic institution made for cisgendered Christian middle class white people and negatively affects everyone who is not represented by that."

I rarely hear it, but I dislike that argument. It doesn't seem like you're making it, but marriage predates Christianity and occurs in other religions as well. I don't get what "white people" or "the middle class" would have to do with it....it just seems like such a bad argument. (Understanding that you seem to be agreeing?)

There is a book I've wanted to read for a few years now that, from what I've been told, you may like. An LJ friend of mine's law professor wrote it. Nancy Polikoff's Beyond (Straight and Gay) Marriage: Valuing All Families under the Law at http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Straight-Gay-Marriage-Families/dp/0807044334

It looks like used it's probably under $5, if they don't have it at the local library.

[nextdrinksonme]

Yep, you're right to assume that I disagree with that statement, and for all of the reasons you mentioned. I can see an argument towards *weddings* having conservative and misogynistic undertones and being a privilege for the middle class as they tend to cost an arm and a leg, as well as the gender norms and traditions that go along with it (such as the woman being pressured to change her name and give up her single identity). And, of course, the reason it came about in the first place. However, when it comes to the modern meaning in this culture (love, not a woman as property) and legal rights therein, those tend to go across the board, afaik (for legal citizens--undocumented immigrants have their own set of legal issues in that department, I would assume).

It isn't surprising to me that the HRC has a problematic history with trans* people. A lot of organizations with otherwise altruistic intentions shit on various minorities (the Salvation Army is one that comes to mind). And the queer community in general has a history of being shitty towards letters that aren't L & G (and even then there is often infighting). There is, at times, a hierarchy of queerness and trans* folks and queer POC are often on the bottom of it. (This is true in feminism, as well, but that's another topic for another day).

That book looks really interesting! I'll definitely put it on my list to check out. :)

[hashishinahooka]

Marriage itself does not equal a Christian middle class White institution, but marriage as it exists in the West is. It was defined by Christian upper-class White morality, and is still limited by that today.