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After the March is
over, or Interview with an activist, Steve Publicover
By: Len Rogers
Since the March for Equality in October we
have heard much about all the shoulda, woulda, coulda's. And even
worse the; didn'ts, why nots, not evens. What we have not heard enough
about is what the experience of the March had on those attending, and
more importantly their home communities. This is just one such story.
We cannot place a value on the hope and
motivation brought back home by these equality activists. This
interview with a Roanoke Virginia activist, Steve Publicover, or
"Rev. Steve" is but one of many stories. Understand
that Roanoke is an area where politically anyway the GLBT community is
basically invisible. It was Steve and his determined spirit which even
spoke to GLBT voters in the recent election. Without people like
Steve and the motivation he found in DC, this area would have had a
real void in the political involvement process. So I say thank you to
all the determined activists like Steve. Keep up your work and the
often needed community kick in the proverbial butt.
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1.) LR: What prompted you to organize this rally/protest?
Rev Steve: I came back from the National Equality March feeling reconnected to the LGBT
movement and wanted to bring some of that energy home. I took part in the
Human Rights Campaign's project "No Excuses". I live in the 9th
District. On the Tuesday after the march, I met with Congressman Rick
Boucher's staff in Pulaski, Va. with two students from Va. Tech. We were there
to ask the congressman to support the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA).
The meeting went well.
After the meeting I read about the Deeds-McDonnell debate at Roanoke College.
I'd read up on their positions on LGBT rights and thought the debates
presented a rare opportunity for Roanoke's LGBT community to make a statement.
2. LR: Your expectations or goal for the rally/protest?
Rev Steve: I knew I didn't have much time to put anything major together. I wanted to
make the statement that there is a large LGBT community living in this part of
Virginia that goes largely unnoticed and that our rights are being violated. I
had two goals. To get Roanoke's LGBT community off it's collective ass and up
for itself and to challenge both candidates to do more to achieve full
equality for all Virginians.
3. LR: Did you find it difficult to motivate people to turn out? If so why do you
think that is so? If not same question.
Rev Steve: The short answer is yes. Everyone I spoke to said that I was wasting my time. They told me that nobody
cares, that our local LGBT community isn't political and doesn't like to get
involved. My blog doesn't have a huge following yet, but I thought that If I
just chose the right words that I could convince people to stand up for
themselves.
I used my FaceBook status to get people to the blog posts. I added friends and
started getting some positive feedback. I worked with Frank House who is
tireless. Between us we called and emailed and met with as many people as we
could. We listened to the ideas of other people, consulted with people that
had more experience with these things, recruited volunteers and gradually fine
tuned our message.
The Roanoke Pride Committee was wonderful and supportive. So many passionate
people with so much experience. I couldn't have pulled it off without their
help.
4. LR: What was the attendance at the rally / protest? By your attendees and
opposition?
Rev Steve: There were six of us that met and marched together. Terry McGuire from HRC
joined us for a while, two students from Roanoke College's LGBT group Out Loud
met with us for a while and we exchanged contact information. A woman with two
sons came up and told us that she and a few other people had been looking for
us. We didn't connect with them. There may have been two demonstrations. So, depending on how you do the math, eight to ten people.
5.) LR: Was opposition present and if so how was the conduct and interaction
between your group and the opposition?
Rev Steve: There was no opposition at all. We received waves and thumbs up from cars
driving by, several passers by stopped to express their support. There was a
man who drove the McDonnell campaign truck that told us all about the anti-war
protests in the 60's. He urged us to yell and scream and sing and make more
noise. And the campus security couldn't have been nicer.
6.) LR: Did press include the rally/protest/ If so which ones and how so? Where
questions asked etc?
Rev Steve: No attention was given by the TV media. We stopped in front of Olin Hall and
started chanting "What do we want? Equality! When do we want it? Now!
several times until a few print media reporters came out to take our pictures
and ask questions. One group was from the Va. Tech Student Newspaper. Another
may have been from Lynchburg.
7.) LR: What changes do you feel are most needed in the Roanoke area?
Rev Steve: Where do I begin? Just because we're tucked away the the Blue Ridge Mountains
doesn't mean we can't work to create change. There is a feeling of disconnect
between our LGBT community and the rest of the world. San Francisco, New York,
LA and DC seem so far away. In many ways it's easy to be gay in bigger cities
with large gay communities. Life there is not something we can easily relate
to. Roanoke has to celebrate what we have and build on it. I'd like for us to
have an LGBT Community Center named after the late LGBT rights activist and
attorney Sam Garrison, who did so much for us here.
8.) LR: What changes do you feel are most needed in Virginia?
Rev Steve: We need to develop a sense of connectedness to the larger gay community across
the US and around the world. That's what I'm trying to do with my blog. I
write about my own experiences and my opinions, but I also post LGBT news
stories that you won't find in the Roanoke Times. In my weekly post,
"This Queer Little Planet" I feature international stories from
places like India, Iraq, Australia and South Africa. I have links to some of
the best LGBT blogs and web sites that I know of. We need to feel that we're
part of the big picture.
9.) LR: Where did your support come from for this event? Local, national,
combination?
Rev Steve: All of the above. Locally, I worked with Frank House, Len Rogers and Chuck
Lineburg who each have very compelling personal stories and their own
motivation for getting involved. The Roanoke Pride Committee was very
supportive and willing to work with us and some of their members marched with
us tonight.
Terry McGuire from HRC was invaluable with his knowledge and experience. He
helped us focus our message.
David Mixner was my inspiration for all of this. He was the one who sent out
the call to action that was answered by Cleve Jones, resulting in last week's
National Equality March. I had the pleasure of meeting him the morning of the
march at McPherson Square when he arrived. I've been in touch with him since.
He said he is very excited about what we've doing here and wants to know how
it went.
10.) LR: What are the top three best and worst things about being an activist?
Forming an event like the rally/protest?
Rev Steve: Wow. Three best: Meeting people who share your passion for the cause. Feeding
off each other's energy to get the job done. Sharing ideas.
Three worst: Lack of sleep. Late nights and early mornings. Waking at 5 a.m.
with a panic attack because you forgot if you'd done something on your list
that day. Frustration when others don't share your passion. I have to remind
myself that most people have normal lives and their own normal concerns. It's
not that they don't care, they're just living their lives and doing their best
to get through the day.
11.) LR: What in your opinion is the GLBT community's largest obstacle in
achieving Equality?
Rev Steve: We need to forget about the Religious objections. Get it off the table and
don't try to argue the point any more. There is nothing we can say or do to
convince conservative Christians that the bible is wrong. It's what their
whole belief system is based on. There are plenty of churches that accept us
just as we are, we don't need the rest of them. We've been spinning our
wheels for 40 years by engaging in arguments we can't win.
This is a civil rights movement and needs to be presented that way. It's about
justice and fairness and equal protection under the law.
12.) LR: What is your opinion is the GLBT community's largest asset in achieving
Equality?
Rev Steve: Family. I wrote about it on my blog after the march in a piece called
"National Equality March: Renewed Energy and the Strength of
Family". We refer to each other as family in a coded way to identify each
other in mixed company, but I have found that no matter what city I've been
to, when I find the gay bars and shops I'm home. I have felt it in Paris, Los
Angeles and Charleston, WV and I felt it in DC like it was the first time at
the National Equality March. It sounds cliche, but we are family and we have
our differences, but when the chips are down, we have each other's back.
13.) LR: Share with us please your words on the overall experience, and would you
or will you do it again?
Rev Steve: I found it to be a challenging, scary, frustrating, exhilarating and
indescribably exhausting experience and I can't wait to do it again.
14.) LR: What would you say to non-voters in our GLBT community?
Rev Steve: It's all your fault.
15.) LR: I know that you attended the march in Washington this month, would you
share some of your experiences there?
Rev Steve: I've written so much about it. DC is my old home town. I lived about 10 blocks
from the Capital. My ex and I used to walk the Capital grounds and the Mall on
summer evenings after dinner. It was my back yard. Being in DC again was like
going to a family reunion, without all the nastiness. We got on the train at the Vienna/Fairfax/GMU station at about 10 a.m. after
leaving home at 5 a.m. There were about 12 GMU students, a 40-something
lesbian couple and my partner and I sitting within ten square feet. Within two
minutes this group of strangers was laughing and carrying on like we were old
friends. A straight woman sat there with her husband/boyfriend watching with
this look of amazement. It wasn't so much that there were so many gay people
on the train, but that we were strangers who connected so quickly and easily.
Family.
The rest of the day was the same. Strangers connected by a common trait that
was not passed on to each other by blood, but somehow makes us a family. It's
why I felt comfortable going up to David Mixner and Kate Clinton and why
(perhaps) they were gracious and warm in return.
The energy of the march would not have been the same without all the young
people that showed up. PFLAG families, college groups, gay teens with their
supportive parents, gay parents with their kids all brought something new to
the march that I hadn't seen before..
16.) LR: How did your local rally/protest compare with that in DC?
Rev Steve: The passion was the same, if not the numbers. It was our way of being visible
and making a statement. Most of us there tonight were also at the march in DC,
so the energy was great.
17.) LR: What single message would you send out to Virginia voters regarding this
election?
Rev Steve: Issues like the economy, job, transportation and taxes are all important, but
they tend to work themselves out in the long run no matter who is in office.
It's just a question of how. I would advise voters to consider the needs of
their fellow human beings. It makes no sense to me that in the 21st century
there are people who don't have full and equal rights in this country. Did
they sleep through the sixties and seventies?
18.) LR: What would you like to say in closing?
Rev Steve: I said it before and I'll say it again; if you don't vote, it's all your fault!
We can all make a difference. Even a small
action will help to achieve equality.
GLBT Equality, and Human Equality!
Be an armchair activist!
It is necessary for us all to make a personal effort to reverse
discrimination, hate, ignorance, prejudice and to bring about equality for all. Even more this responsibility
falls to all members of the GLBT/Queer community. We are responsible for our
future and our present. We must emulate the actions of the right wing organizers
who have influenced a national election and world politics. Starting in small
interest groups and growing into large numbers.
Through grass roots groups and organizations the right has
established power and influence in the world of religion and government. They
all started with one or two people initiating a gathering of like minds. We can
and must do the same. So we have prepared a list of ways in which we each can
take personal responsibility and action. In most cases from where you are
sitting right now and or from places which you normally, or should visit.
We can not depend on large national special interest groups as evidenced
by the 2004 U.S. election. An example of this would be HRC who chose to focus on
Oregon for the battle of same-sex marriage. Notice they lost. The other states
battling the same fight were ignored. Little to no assistance given. Even prior to the
national election individual states like Virginia, Missouri, and Louisiana were
enacting legislative discrimination. Where was HRC? No where to be found. They
were looking at Oregon. Now HRC may "shift" its focus again. Let HRC
be a lobbying group in DC, that is what they do. With your donations and
support specify what actions you expect to be taken. Or...withhold your
donation, and make that abundantly clear.
The list below will show you ways to take action and make a
difference on your own. Of course, if like the right wing organizers, you
involve your friends and family the result will be that much stronger and
rewarding for all. Think working in groups instead of alone. Think of progress
as a social event rather than work or something someone else does. We all have
gatherings and parties, share this list. Encourage others to do the same. The
best possible action would be to actually work together on projects to
strengthen your effort.
Taking Action!
1.) Register to vote!
2.) Vote and take part in your local and national
elections.
3.) Encourage voting through conversation. Simple
friendly pro voting comments will achieve the most positive results.
4.) Be aware, and involved, in what is happening in your
world. Here are a few links to free email "alert" services which will
keep you informed in a painless and interesting way. Start out with just a few,
don't overload yourself. Read, pick the issues and take action. Usually only
requires a few minute of your time to communicate to your elected
officials.
Check out this excellent resource toward equality!
The Dallas Principles
ACLU Online: The e-newsletter of the American Civil Liberties Union
Sign
up for Alerts here: https://www.aclu.org/team/member.cfm
The Newsletter provides brief news with direct click to
broader coverage. Take action links and involvement links. A great place to
support free speech and stop censorship!
Sign
up for Alerts here: http://www.moveon.org/keepmeposted/
"MoveOn is working to bring ordinary people back into politics. With a
system that today revolves around big money and big media, most citizens are
left out. When it becomes clear that our "representatives" don't
represent the public, the foundations of democracy are in peril. MoveOn is a
catalyst for a new kind of grassroots involvement, supporting busy but
concerned citizens in finding their political voice. Our nationwide network of
more than 2,000,000 online activists is one of the most effective and
responsive outlets for democratic participation available today." From
the MoveOn.org website.
A great newsletter and take action links.
Another fast and painless way to stay informed and involved!
Take action center link below.
Sign
up for Alerts here: http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/actioncenter/home.html
The Action Center provides a good resource for alerts on action specific to
GLBT Equality issues.
5. ) As you read the news online respond with your
feelings when available to issues which you have a decided opinion. Check the
registration processes for required and used information. This way you can be
proactive and keep down unwanted spam as well.
6.) Ask your friends and acquaintances for their opinion
on social and political issues, then discuss. Draw them out. Conversation is the
first step to open doors. Do not attack or negate the responses you receive.
Intelligent and sensitive informed conversation will ease any tension and make
your point. Help others feel comfortable in discussing these issues.
7.) Be personally involved. Communicate to your
elected officials. They will perform their duties with constituents in mind when
those constituents communicate regularly. This takes little time today. If you
are reading this online then you can via the "Alerts" above email your
thoughts many times in an automated format. Very painless and you are taking
action!
A little more please......
8.) Get involved with a local group. Can be social, even
a group of friends. Suggest small projects for enjoyment and involvement. Your
actions can be from making displays for a school gathering on voting or a topic
to political action groups. I hear a lot of complaining about the lack of
"community" other than bars, in our community. This is a fun and
productive way to socialize and be responsible to yourself.
9.) Speaking of bars. These establishments do make a
living from our community, and many times are indeed an actual part of the
community. Suggest a positive and bar supporting idea such as:
Valid Voter Registration card required for specials and or discounts. Simple and
so productive. (Make it a point to note that party affiliation is not an issue
just being a registered voter.)
10.) If you are ready to extend from your armchair even
more.... Contact a local organization. Usually a GLBT Community Center is a
great reference for what types of local activities are available.
Get involved and fight the good fight for real equality!
When we address Human Equality, we address ALL Equality.
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