“Looking Forward: Next Steps for Equality California†is an Op-Ed series where LGBT Californians write about the direction that Equality California, our statewide lobbying organization, should take as it searches for a new Executive Director. Today’s Op-Ed is written by Sara Beth Brooks of Sacramento. Brooks became involved in the LGBT community after Proposition 8 passed. She helped organize major statewide campaigns such as Courage Campaign’s Camp Courage, Meet in the Middle, Restore Equality 2010, and the Manchester Grand Hyatt Boycott. Her current efforts are focused on organizing in, and advocating for, the asexual community. –Syd Peterson
Four Things Our New EQCA Executive Director Should Do
by Sara Beth Brooks
Sara Beth Brooks
When I listen to the stories of people who worked against the Briggs Initiative, they always speak of the great collaboration that lead our community to victory. Without an inclusive conversation we cannot create a more equal California. Â As many people as possible should be included in a process of communicating, sharing resources, and dividing labor so that together we can take coordinated action across the state.
I believe that EQCA’s new executive director should focus on four major tasks: Include, Talk, Share, Act.
1. Build a Community of Inclusivity
The LGBT community in 2011 comprises more than just lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Straight allies, the parents and children of LGBT people, and supportive clergy are all part of our movement. EQCA should help lead our community in the direction of radical inclusivity; that is, the intentional inclusion of all persons, especially people who have traditionally lived at the margins of society. Committing to radical inclusivity would especially help address the biphobia and transphobia that still exists in our movement.
2. Create a Conversation
In local cities across the state, regularly scheduled LGBT community leadership meetings provide a place for local community to share information, network, and get training. This concept can be translated statewide if someone built that conversation. To be clear, I am not suggesting a decision-making body or a policy-setting meeting. As a movement we have a communication problem: we are not doing enough communicating. Statewide conversation stopped when tensions ran too high. There has not been an all-inclusive forum for conversation among leaders since the San Bernardino meeting almost two years ago. It’s time to start talking again. EQCA could begin that conversation by holding regular open meetings and publishing information about them widely (both before and after).
3. Share Resources, Share Labor
Behind closed doors, grassroots organizers all know and talk about what each organization’s strengths are.  We must commit to dividing labor among all our organizations.  EQCA cannot think of itself as All Things LGBT California, Inc.—this is unsustainable and unmanageable.
I believe that EQCA’s attempt at horizontal integration of the California LGBT community is one of two reasons why their recent field campaign was unsuccessful.  (The other reason was their refusal to commit to a 2010 marriage ballot measure, which effectively stalled the California movement.) With such a successful legislative history, EQCA should focus instead on a vertical approach that targets federal, state, and local legislation.
4. Promote a Spirit of Community Activism
I have heard grassroots organizers across California express feeling excluded from the strategic resources and decision making processes of EQCA. Some people talk about a seat at the table, but the feeling on the ground is that EQCA is that table. While it’s unlikely that this exclusion was intentional, the result remains.
EQCA should actively promote community activism by engaging community organizers. Our community is stronger when we are organized together at all times, not just during campaign seasons. When our leaders expect less from us, we do less. When our leaders expect more, we are inspired to rise to the occasion. Expect more from us.
Click the image below to find out more about this series, and read more contributions from LGBT Californians.
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i’m so pleased someone in this series of essays has finally addressed the 800-pound gorilla in the room, that being the lack of democratic engagement and regular public talks between EQCA and the grassroots.
this piece by sara beth brooks so impressed me, i wrote a positive post on my blog about it. here’s the link:
http://mpetrelis.blogspot.com/2011/03/lgbt-pov-eqca-must-hold-town-hall.html
and here’s an excerpt:
[snip]
Brava! Cheers! Hooray! Those words from Sara Beth, especially the last sentence, could have been written by me, and I’m so happy to see a younger activist understands the crucial need for ongoing public forums.
By the way, the last time the current executive director of EQCA appeared at a community meeting in San Francisco open to all was in February 2009. Two years without regular meetings like this is unhealthy and dysfunctional. Also, EQCA has no forums listed on their events calender.
[snip]
thank you, ms brooks, for understanding the importance of town halls and open dialog.