Do LGBT organizations fail at promoting their missions?

[hulklogan]

Recently, I've had several straight friends suggest that LGBT Americans aren't more successful at achieving full equality because they don't have active and energetic organizations dedicated to ending DADT, or electing LGBT officials at the local level, or fighting bullying in schools, and a number of other examples.

Do The Victory Fund and the Servicemembers Legal Defense Fund and GLSEN and the rest of our organizations need to do more outreach to the opposite married community so opposite people stop thinking we're all just sitting on our hands on these issues?

[msongs]

1. your straight "friends" are ignorant - all the orgs u mention are active n there's more btw

what are those straight "friends" doing to help did you say?

Msongs

[hulklogan]

3. My straight friends are doing about as much as President Obama.

:patriot:

[noamnety]

2. I hate the "blame the victim" mentality

It's very easy for privileged people to justify oppression by claiming they somehow brought it on themselves and that they didn't "do it right" when it comes to requesting/demanding equal rights.

If they DEMAND equal rights, the reason they didn't get them was that they were so aggressive and nasty that they turned people away from their cause.

If the REQUEST equal rights, the reason they didn't get them was that they were too passive and didn't put enough energy into getting those rights.

It's a convenient tactic for putting all the responsibility on the people being oppressed, and no responsibility on the people who actually hold power.

What have your straight friends done that has been more effective than the organizations you listed? Whose responsibility do they think it is to fight for equal rights?

[jwirr]

4. I don't know the answer but I think I understand the problem: if you

do not have these organizations you do not get the word out and people do not understand but if you push too hard then you are seen as forcing your issue. It is a very thin line that defines success here.

[FreeState]

5. I think if there is failure its not the organizations but rather GLBT citizens failing to take part

The orgs are hard working and try - they do and will make errors. However, they would be much more successful in their goals if GLBT persons took an active role rather than a passive, election time only, somewhat Ill vote and see what happens role. GLBT people must get more involved locally IMO.