The American LGBTQ history heavyweight gets both retrospective and re-radicalising in his critique of the modern gay movement
Reading Martin Duberman’s latest release, “Has the Gay Movement Failed?”, is much like being seated at a table with a very wise chosen-family relative. One who takes pleasure in asking difficult questions. Undoubtedly, Duberman, who at 88 and one of the most decorated American LGBTQ historians, has earned his say on a movement that is approaching nearly half a century of activity. He can also be forgiven for using the most cantankerous rhetorical question as his title. To save you guessing, Duberman would answer yes. Or rather, mostly yes.
The exact reason why sees the founding figure take us on a very comprehensive, character-laden journey through time. He digs out the history books in the opening chapter and transports us back to the beginnings, to the days of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF), whose members eyed sexual liberation after the 1969 Stonewall Riots, and the Gay Activists Alliance (GAA), a more moderate group that soon broke off, as infighting and sexism drove the GLF apart. The GLF, though like a rebellious teen, seemingly boisterous and untameable in its conduct, wins Duberman’s admiration. It articulated a worthy set of goals for the movement, he argues, strongly rejecting traditional marriage, monogamous relationships and discrimination of all forms, notably sexism and racism. Suddenly the GLF’s fight and their inability to give in to discrimination ring true for our ‘community’ today.
Marriage and grapplings with politics, much like our mid-twenties, are a key focus for the remainder of the book. Duberman reminds us that the GLF’s screams for sexual liberation understandably lost considerable appeal after the devastation caused by the AIDS crisis in the 80s and a changing political climate in the 90s. A more mainstream, equal rights based agenda became what most Americans wanted, Duberman sees it. This meant settling down, tying the knot and deciding which VH1 diva anthem to have as the first dance at the wedding. Does Duberman judge those who chose this? No, the old dog, of course, is married himself. He is cautionary, however, as we see the completing of this agenda as synonymous with victory for us all. Demands for first class citizenship are essential, but civil rights gains are unlikely to result in day-to-day life improvements for the majority of LGBTQ people in the US. As we shall see in the case of the repeal of the colonial era ban on gay sex in India, legislative change is crucial for communities, but we must closely monitor the impact it has before proclaiming victory.
So, how can we use Duberman’s wisdom to move forward? We most certainly should draw inspiration from the GLF’s fiery, yet broad reaching, agendas and strive to avoid single-issue politics. Remaining “fixated on our dime” means we’re likely to “end up short of change”, Duberman states, in a suitably booming, imaginary voice. Intersectionality, or more precisely, the need for it in our debates, is in our history. We must also forge closer ties with our political allies on the Left, in the fight against common enemies. Instability, the new US economy’s most notable feature, is one that has a defining impact on the majority of the US LGBTQ population’s lives. The only instability we should embrace is that of our identities. Oh, and maybe our heels.
Overall, “Has the Gay Movement Failed?” succeeds in answering its own question by twisting our wrists and asking us another: “Has the Gay Movement won for us all?”. In doing so, it becomes a well constructed rallying call, a reminder of where we have come from and where we may have gone wrong, rather than a tiresome rant of how things are no longer what they were. The world has changed, and ground has been gained, but the fight for liberation remains as constant, yet as challenging, as ever.
“Has the Gay Movement Failed?” is out now and published by University of California Press.