The article traces the evolution of LGBTQ+ activism, highlighting the initial inclusivity of groups like the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) and the subsequent shift towards a more mainstream, cisgender-focused approach within groups like the Gay Activists Alliance (GAA). This shift marginalized transgender individuals and contributed to their vulnerability to political targeting.
Key decisions made by LGBTQ+ movement leaders to prioritize the interests of white gay men and lesbians are examined. The focus on sexuality over gender in political strategies, as exemplified by the exclusion of transgender individuals from the Employment Non-discrimination Act (ENDA), are presented as crucial factors in the current predicament. The strategic move to emphasize the similarity between gay and straight couples to facilitate marriage equality, while seemingly successful, is criticized for neglecting the specific concerns of transgender individuals.
The author emphasizes the interconnectedness of gender and sexuality, arguing that focusing solely on sexuality has neglected the crucial issue of gender variance. The views of Jessica Xavier, who proposed a strategy centered on gender variance to unite various LGBTQ+ groups and address issues like conversion therapy, are highlighted. This strategy's potential to forge stronger coalitions with broader social justice movements is also explored.
The article concludes by linking the historical marginalization of transgender individuals to their current vulnerability to political attacks. The recent lawsuit by Lamba Legal and other LGBTQ+ organizations against the Trump administration's policies targeting transgender people is presented as a positive step, although the author suggests that stronger coalitions with broader social justice movements are necessary for long-term success.