If nothing else, Dan Savage has proven that he could get better. We acknowledge how his projects have raised visibility on many queer issues and that his true intention is to make the world a better place for queers. But Dan also has a lot to work on. There’s no question that his work has perpetuated transphobia, classism, adultism, and racism.
We are queer educators and activists who are committed to meeting people where they are at and working together towards a future for everyone. We never want to throw anyone away. We do not mean to attack Dan Savage on a personal level, to deem him evil or entirely oppressive. But while he has said that he has “had a journey on trans issues,” he mocks those who criticize his words and actions instead of being open to growth. We hope that he will begin to work towards recognizing his privilege as a way to better fight oppression.
We demand the very best for our communities. So while we hold patience for Dan Savage as an individual trying to sort through the complexities of oppression, as a representational figure, our sympathy for his process is limited. Frankly, we already hear enough of that bullshit every day, and we don’t need to hear it from another white, monied, able-bodied adult cisgendered man with a microphone.
At this point, Dan Savage cannot function solely as an individual. His work is far-reaching and for many, he’s the only conduit into the queer world, the only example of what a queer person might look like. As an hyper visible queer figure, his actions and words often perpetuate violence against the very people he is representing. We need to move the spotlight to the many queer leaders who already discuss oppression in all of the varied ways it affects queer people. Universities looking to address queer issues often pay Dan Savage’s minimum speaker’s fee of $10,000 while other more marginalized voices are told there is no money. Why are these resources not instead supporting transformative efforts led by youth and people of color? And why has Dan Savage not reached out to support youth-led projects in the community, publicly cutting them down instead?
In the end, this isn’t really about Dan Savage. This is about what is direly missing from the mainstream gay rights movement: a critical and comprehensive analysis of interlocking oppressions. Sure, it would be great if Dan Savage decided to think more critically about his ‘activism’, but we’re not holding our breath. Our goal here is not to change him.
We do hope that the flaws in his work can lead toward a dialogue about larger systemic issues that shifts the spotlight to leaders who can think beyond their own positionality. Dan Savage, you do not speak for us.
We are queer educators and activists who are committed to meeting people where they are at and working together towards a future for everyone. We never want to throw anyone away. We do not mean to attack Dan Savage on a personal level, to deem him evil or entirely oppressive. But while he has said that he has “had a journey on trans issues,” he mocks those who criticize his words and actions instead of being open to growth. We hope that he will begin to work towards recognizing his privilege as a way to better fight oppression.
We demand the very best for our communities. So while we hold patience for Dan Savage as an individual trying to sort through the complexities of oppression, as a representational figure, our sympathy for his process is limited. Frankly, we already hear enough of that bullshit every day, and we don’t need to hear it from another white, monied, able-bodied adult cisgendered man with a microphone.
At this point, Dan Savage cannot function solely as an individual. His work is far-reaching and for many, he’s the only conduit into the queer world, the only example of what a queer person might look like. As an hyper visible queer figure, his actions and words often perpetuate violence against the very people he is representing. We need to move the spotlight to the many queer leaders who already discuss oppression in all of the varied ways it affects queer people. Universities looking to address queer issues often pay Dan Savage’s minimum speaker’s fee of $10,000 while other more marginalized voices are told there is no money. Why are these resources not instead supporting transformative efforts led by youth and people of color? And why has Dan Savage not reached out to support youth-led projects in the community, publicly cutting them down instead?
In the end, this isn’t really about Dan Savage. This is about what is direly missing from the mainstream gay rights movement: a critical and comprehensive analysis of interlocking oppressions. Sure, it would be great if Dan Savage decided to think more critically about his ‘activism’, but we’re not holding our breath. Our goal here is not to change him.
We do hope that the flaws in his work can lead toward a dialogue about larger systemic issues that shifts the spotlight to leaders who can think beyond their own positionality. Dan Savage, you do not speak for us.
