Advocacy Lessons Learned from the USA’s Marriage Equality Battle – Two Books and a Panel Discussion

Posted on by

Long time marriage equality activist and author Tracy Hollister will be moderating the February 24 panel discussion

Fighting for equality and dealing with gross inequities in human society has been a hot subject from the distant past through today, and it will no doubt continue far into the future. Over the centuries, many societal inequities have been addressed when the adversely impacted parties advocated for their own rights working with fair-minded allies. Here in the USA, we abolished slavery followed by the long and continuing journey for racial equality. We have seen that same gradual change with our female population starting with our granting the right to vote, continuing to address workplace equality, moving on now to tackle the unfortunate prevalence of sexual harassment. (See links to my blogs on these issues at the bottom on this blog.)

And now one of the most stunning movements in modern American history has culminated in the Supreme Court granting marriage equality for same-gender couples across all 50 states, about a half century after homosexuality was removed from the American Psychiatric Association’s classification of mental disorders. Given how long some of other equality battles have taken, this progress is extraordinary!

Two recent books are now out on how engaged volunteers had tremendous impact in this marriage equality victory; they will be featured at a panel discussion at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, NC on Saturday, February 24th. (Link to information about the event.) The panel discussion, moderated by Tracy Hollister with David Collins, Mark Phariss, and Vic Holmes will examine the role volunteers and plaintiffs played in winning the right to marry for same-sex couples years before most thought possible. And how can the lessons they learned be applied to other LGBTQ causes?

IMPORTANT ADDITION ADDED APRIL 2018: A second event is being held at the LGBT Center of Raleigh on Saturday, April 14th 2:00 – 4:0PM. Link to info.

Tracy Hollister, longtime advocate and Marriage Equality USA staffer, will share her own and others’ testimonies from THE PEOPLE’S VICTORY: STORIES FROM THE FRONT LINES IN THE FIGHT FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY on how volunteers made a difference. “The People’s Victory” is an inspirational roadmap for anyone who has felt passionate about an issue, but has questioned whether one person’s contribution can make a difference.

Accidental activists Mark Phariss and Vic Holmes, pictured on this book cover, will participate in the February 24th panel discussion

David Collins, author of ACCIDENTAL ACTIVISTS: MARK PHARISS, VIC HOLMES, AND THEIR FIGHT FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN TEXAS, will join with the subjects of his book, Mark Phariss and Vic Holmes, to tell of love too long denied recognition and the emotional pain that led them to sue Texas for the right to marry. Indeed, Mark Phariss and Vic Holmes were surprised be thrown into the limelight (hence the term “accidental activists”), being schooled by cultural messages that being gay would come at an extreme cost, include loss of family and friends, threats involving housing and job security, and even threats of physical violence.

This event is co-hosted by RBPN – Raleigh’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce, HRC Triangle, PFLAG Triangle, Equality NC, and the LGBT Center of Raleigh.

Do consider attending this panel discussion and/or obtaining these two books. As well as being inspired by this change for equality in America, you may learn several lessons that you can apply to the social or justice issues in your life.

If you would like to invite Tracy and David to come to your local bookstore, university or Employee Resource Group, Tracy can be reached at [email protected] and David can be reached at [email protected].

# # # # #

Some of my previous blogs about race and gender social issues:

• In “Sexism, Racism and the Dynamics of Power,” I examine the power dynamic as critical when we discuss the societal and workplace issues of sexism, sexual harassment and racism.

• Five Provocative Recommendations to Address Sexual Harassment in the workplace. The latest fiasco with Harvey Weinstein followed by the “me too” social media campaign has raised the visibility of sexual harassment and predators. As an HR professional, I am very disconcerted about abuse in the workplace and wrote this blog in response.

• “Divided We Stand – Racism in America from Jamestown to Trump,” reviews and summarizes a fascinating and important book by David R. Morse that chronicles the many forms of racism present within the USA from our founding days up to current times.

• Though a good number of white people believe that the racial discrimination of the past is eradicated, the black community for the most part, as well as statistical realities, would indicate otherwise. See “Facing the Truth – Racism Still Persists in the USA.”)

The Justice Theater Project presents “Bent” – a drama about Germany’s Third Reich’s persecution of homosexuals.

Posted on by

Max and Horst, two homosexual prisoners branded with the “pink triangle” at Dachau’s death camp.

In November, I published an introductory blog (link) about North Carolina’s The Justice Theater Project, a social justice theater company whose mission is to produce compelling theater experiences that create community dialogue and give voice to social concerns.

As a diversity consultant who often address these same issues, I am a big proponent of transporting people out of their daily lives through the performing arts to give them a fresh prospective on societal issues. (see additional blogs at the bottom of this one.) What is particularly unique about The Justice Theater Project is that in addition to offering various plays, they pair that with pre-show discussions, highlighting community organizations, educational opportunities and outreach.

The Justice Theater Project’s 2017 – 2018 season is titled “Equity and Identity” and is addressing issues such as racism, homophobia and classism. The season’s first play last fall, “A Soldier’s Play” dealt with various issues around racism through this murder mystery set in a 1944 desegregated army base in Louisiana. And now the upcoming play is “Bent”; this path-breaking drama is a lesson in history, a cautionary tale, and a tragic love story about the Third Reich’s persecution of homosexuals. Homosexuals in Nazi Germany were ranked at the very bottom of the human scale, and the pink triangle, a sewn-in badge of shame, was introduced into the Nazi concentration camps.

Indeed looking back at recent history through plays such as “A Soldier’s Play” and “Bent” delivers insight into the harm done to marginalized groups, how they cope with their challenges, and that society as a whole needs to take ownership to address it.

The play runs February 9 -11 and 15 – 18. Earlier community activities include a movie showing and a book discussion about “The Pink Triangle.” For a full listing of activities and to purchase tickets to the “Bent” show, visit The Justice Theater Project’s “Bent” show web page.

And now some big personal news! My own involvement with “Bent:”
• At the February 9th show, I will be representing the Raleigh Business and Professional Network, Raleigh’s LGBT Chamber Commerce, giving the five minute intermission advocate introduction and staffing an information table after the show.
• And at the Saturday evening February 10th performance, I will lead the 6:30 p.m. pre-show discussion sharing my “Eight Life Lessons as an Out Gay Man that can apply to everyone,” discussing coming out, LGBT workplace issues and more. This pre-show event is free, and you may attend if even you are not staying for the play.

I look forward to seeing many of you at The Justice Theater Project’s production of “Bent!”

# # # # #

Links to support The Justice Theater Project and to previous blogs about diversity and inclusion being promoted through the performing arts:

• You can support the work of this wonderful organization through sponsorship or becoming a season subscriber – details on the JTP website.

• I introduce the JTP through the blog “The Justice Theater Project – Societal Impact Through the Performing Arts.”

• “Promoting Diversity and Inclusion Through Bluegrass Music,” is about an innovative annual concert called “Shout and Shine” of diverse Bluegrass musicians. This celebration came about in 2016 as a direct response to North Carolina’s oppressive HB2 “bathroom bill” discriminating against our LGBT citizens.

• “A great diversity experience – Theater Breaking Through Barriers” about enjoying an off-Broadway play in New York City which featured actors with a wide range of disabilities.