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Scranton Ethical Action: Inner Worth and Outer Pride

In an organization that pledges "deed before creed," incorporating ethical action as a part of our American Ethical Union annual assembly seemed like a good idea. In 2009 I helped organize a program around Senior Connections, a non-profit reaching out to nursing home residents already strongly supported by the Ethical Society of St. Louis. This year, influenced by the National Leaders Council’s choice for its 2010 ethical action focus, I picked LGBTQ issues. Helped by the assembly planning committee, the AEU national office, and the NLC, we managed to learn, lobby, and raise $2307 for the Northeast Pennsylvania Rainbow Fund. And to top it all off, we had fun doing it! Thanks to all who participated!

It begins, of course, with relationships. With no Ethical Society to host the assembly in Scranton, I began by simply reaching out to the local Pennsylvania activists. On the internet and phone I connected with many gay rights veterans and began with the simple questions, "How could we support you? What do you need?" While initially imagining some "in your face" public activism – like staging a symbolic wedding of 100 local gay couples on the Lakawanna County courthouse – I learned that the conservative nature of Northeast Pennsylvania made such a project problematic.

John Dawe, of the NEPA Rainbow Alliance, explained that rather than blatant public activism which might generate backlash, it would be more productive to help build community, awareness and financial resources. For many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning people, northeast Pennsylvania is a lonely place. Ethical Culture support for the NEPA Rainbow Fund would help provide opportunities - such as the NEPA Pride Festival later this summer - to join with others for social unity, affirmation, and political action. It would honor both parts of this assembly program I entitled, "Inner Worth and Outer Pride."

For a contribution of $50, AEU assembly participants were invited to three events. The first was a photo exhibit and reception at Outrageous Gallery. There Liz Bradbury, who wowed many earlier in the day with her dynamic workshop presentation on gay rights activism, shared her award winning PA Diversity Network Photo Project - 400 Same-sex Couples: Facing Inequality. Enjoying wine and cheese, the audience learned more about Liz's lifelong dedication to activism. Personally, I was overwhelmed by the simple power of these photos of couples of all backgrounds and ages. A picture is worth a thousand words, and each one told a unique story of respect, dedication, and love.

Afterwards, participants walked around the corner to St. Luke's Episcopal Church for a panel discussion called, Moving Marriage Equity Forward. Bolton Winpenny of the Freedom to Marry Steering Committee, Rev. Peter D'Angio, Rector of St. Lukes Episcopal Church, Rev. Diane Sickler of the Unity Church in Wilkes-Barre, and Amanda Poppei from the Washington Ethical Society, shared their approach to marriage equality for all.

After a winding ten-minute drive in search of the Twelve Penny Saloon, those 30 or so adventurous Ethical Culturists still left after a long day celebrated with food, drink and a drag show. Having never attended a drag show, I was stuck by the good will and celebration that animated the mixed crowd of gay and straight, Ethical Culturists and those who had never heard of us. "Well," I thought to myself, "this is a first for Ethical Culture!" In the middle of the show, as my wife Maureen was dragged (pun intended) smiling out on to the dance floor to boogie with two college age queens, a sense of satisfaction replaced the exhaustion of months of preparation for this little fundraiser. It was a success.

Our work, however, is not over. We are still learning. This was clear when at our Sunday AEU business meeting we worked our way through passage of a simple resolution reaffirming Ethical Culture's long-term commitment to gay rights. In striving for inclusion, the resolution was intended to support "Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning people." Given the evolving dynamic of vocabulary and power that surrounds many civil rights movements, it was no surprise that amicable disagreement arose. The term "queer" was challenged by some as being too pejorative and negative. Without closing the book on this dialogue, the assembly did not let the perfect be enemy of the good, and the resolution was passed.

I appreciate the hesitancy of some to use the term. I understand how for decades "queer" was a stinging epithet, signaling potentially life-threatening situations. The psychological taunts and physical intimidation that surrounded the word makes it too offensive for some to employ.

Resistance to the term reminds me of my own arguments with young teens – black and white – against use of the "n-word," despite its rampant use in some rap music. Some argue that rap artists, by seizing the word and using it with force, take away its racist overtones and power. Without even questioning whether such motivation is at work for all such musicians, I humbly concede that I don't buy this argument. As a history teacher sensitive to the brutal history of racism in the United States, I cannot deny my gut-level repulsion when confronted by the "n-word." I keep wondering how many times it was the last word a young black heard before being murdered by a lynch mob. Uncontrollable chills run down my back.

So, I try to use words carefully. Over the past few years, I have defended use of the term "queer" due to my experience with those who self-identify as queer, especially young adults. Growing up in the '90s, many did not experience "queer" as a term of derision. Ironically, the term more generally thrown around middle school locker rooms was the more generally accepted word, "gay." But "queer" is worn by many twenty-somethings with less ambivalence than previous generations. For them the term blossoms with self-affirmation and integrity. It is in honor of them that I defended "using the Q."

It will be interesting to see what conversations arise from next assembly's ethical action component. To my delight, my National Leaders Council colleagues accepted my invitation to be the official sponsor of the 2011 ethical action program. This is a healthy step toward institutionalizing ethical action as a permanent feature of our assemblies. The NLC focus for next year is "economic justice." While we can all agree in broad strokes to support this cause, I know we will learn much as we strive to turn our words into action. I am certain we will bring out our best as we once again proclaim our commitment to the heart of Ethical Humanism, "deed before creed."