Marriage Equality - Activism Beyond an Election

by: Living Liberally

Tue Dec 09, 2008 at 11:55

I've been asked many times since November 4th what Drinking Liberally does now...as though a Democratic President would negate the need for a national network of progressive social gatherings.  I respond that political communities -- and the activism and ideas that flow from them -- don't come and go with campaigns...they are needed between elections just as much.

But it's one thing to say that -- it's another to actually live it.  And honestly, many of our chapters are in a little bit of a post-election hangover / holiday daze.  We continue to meet, enjoy holidays and plan for the Inauguration, but it feels a little bit like we're waiting for our next moment.

However, one movement that isn't waiting is the marriage equality movement.  Obviously Prop 8 served as a jolt that required the movement not to rest -- but at a time when I don't witness as much direct activism taking place, folks like Join the Impact are delivering creative, social, passionate opportunities -- from national rallies to vigils to guerilla activism.

In New York, we're hosting a screening tonight of the Oscar-winning documentary Freeheld.  Its story -- about a dying police officer whose same-sex partner is denied pension rights -- resonates with the the chilling results of Prop 8.  We're using it to prompt a conversation about how New Yorkers can promote the marriage equality fight in our state, which has a chance of passing it legislatively.  

That is, after this tryptophan wears off...