Comments for Carleton OUT on the Streets

Comment on Some Facts and Figures by kyoungpsyd

kyoungpsyd — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:47:47 +0000

Thank you for helping to raise awareness of this crucial issue.

Those in Chicago might be interested in this event addressing suicide in LGBT communities: http://drkathleenyoung.wordpress.com/2009/03/23/suicide-in-the-lgbt-community/

Comment on A Couple Cool Things Courtesy of WordPress’ Blog Stats by Mike

Mike — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 07:41:48 +0000

First blog I read after wakeup from sleep today!

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Comment on Democracy: It’s really weird if you think about it by DG

DG — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:23:16 +0000

Great post. I agree wholeheartedly about the ways in which regime type really matters a great deal in terms of how much and in what form activism takes shape. At the same time, it makes me wonder whether there can be too much of a good thing — where openness makes it so easy to take part, that groups mushroom and compete for scarce resources and support. That’s still a better world to live in than one in which you have to constantly worry that your actions will cause harm to you and those close to you — no question — but the costs of openness are not zero, either.

Comment on A Publicity Update and Definition by DG

DG — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:18:11 +0000

I thought the posters were great, BTW. Simple, visually arresting, and to the point.

Comment on Contacts and Partnerships by DG

DG — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 20:43:42 +0000

Yes, the turnaround time for people out in the wider world varies tremendously, though I find people in the non-profit sector are still better than most. My all-time record in this regard (setting up interviews and meetings for research purposes) was 4 years. I had sent out an email to a person in a particular political organization in Northern Ireland, got an email back after about 6 months apologizing for the delay and promising to be in touch “soon” to set up a time to talk. Meanwhile, the project ended, I returned to the US, wrote and submitted the dissertation, got a job, and then returned to Belfast in connection with a completely different research project. While I was there, I ran into this contact who, upon hearing my name, immediately made the connection to that email four years ago and offered to give me an interview “in the next several weeks.” I never did get that interview…

Comment on Militants and Mainstreamers by DG

DG — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 20:38:16 +0000

Jane, thanks for this overview of the splits and dissent in the LGBT movement — I was glad to learn more about these internal dynamics. I’d be curious to know if you think that the amount of factionalization has increased more recently, or if these divides have been there and active for quite some time now.

Comment on The Importance of Communication, Branding, and a Mea Culpa by DG

DG — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 20:33:48 +0000

Brand recognition is pretty important, I agree. If you wander over to Guidestar.org, which is a directory of hundreds of thousands of non-profits in the US, and type in any sort of keyword or issue, you’ll come up with dozens, maybe hundreds of groups working on that topic. And the names are often very similar — and sometimes completely cryptic with no hint of what that organization might actually be doing. I cannot imagine that this state of affairs can be particularly helpful in terms of recruiting/mobilizing/sustaining activism!

Comment on The Importance of Communication, Branding, and a Mea Culpa by cellardoor10

cellardoor10 — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:46:00 +0000

No worries! The names and goals are very similar, so no need to worry about it. It just took a couple emails, and Rocki’s been really helpful.

Comment on Militants and Mainstreamers by obnoxioususername

obnoxioususername — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:27:12 +0000

While researching news stories on proposition 8 for my literature review, I found this quote:

“If they’re going to legislate away my rights based on fear and hatred and ignorance, I’m going to give them something to be f**king scared of”-posted by an anonymous reader on the blog queerty.

I think that the gay marriage debate may start to polarize the US on LGBT rights, and we will be seeing a lot more militant LGBT action soon.

Comment on A meditation on the difference between 60’s Activism and Today, and how it applies to us. by DG

DG — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 22:50:17 +0000

Interesting meditation on tactics and the effectiveness of being angry/strident/vocal. I think there is more variation in the tactics of the 1960s movements than you allow here — there were certainly those working quietly, out of the spotlight, as well as those covered extensively by the media. But it does raise interesting questions about whether there are moments where — politically, culturally — certain kinds of protest tactics are more likely to take hold, more likely to be effective, etc. And if there are such connections between the political environment and tactical repertoires, what are the features or characteristics of the environment that influence tactical choices the most? Or is it about movements — certain TYPES of movements and issues support certain kinds of work/protest and others don’t? Or is it organizationally driven? Influenced by the target (as you say, protesting the government and protesting homeless shelters are two different things entirely). Obviously, no one level can explain the variation on its own, but the different levels of analysis are worth considering.