For the most part, I was overwhelmingly grateful for the outrage and offers of assistance that arose from my diary a few days ago about the decision of the Itawamba County, Mississippi school board's decision to cancel their high school's prom rather than let a lesbian student bring her girlfriend as her date and wear a tuxedo.
A few commenters (this being the clearest and most cogent example) took issue with me for characterizing the Itawamba County School Board's decision to resurrect one of the most insidious tactics of the "massive resistance" campaign against integration as "segregation" and "straight supremacy." I was specifically accused of "misusing terms of analysis to get my point across."
The brunt of the complaint against my characterization was that "segregation" required separating an entire group from society, not just instances of discrimination.
I think that's a false dichotomy: I think the heart of segregation is the pattern of instances of discrimination and the pervasive attitude of bigotry.
So does this term apply to how our country treats GLBTQ citizens?
Let's examine the evidence.
First, of course, some definitions. Merriam-Webster:
Main Entry: seg·re·ga·tion
Pronunciation: \ˌse-gri-ˈgā-shən\
Function: noun
Date: 1555
1 : the act or process of segregating : the state of being segregated
2 a : the separation or isolation of a race, class, or ethnic group by enforced or voluntary residence in a restricted area, by barriers to social intercourse, by separate educational facilities, or by other discriminatory means b : the separation for special treatment or observation of individuals or items from a larger group [segregation of gifted children into accelerated classes]
Now to the cases:
Air Force Sergeant Jene Newsome, age 28, stationed in South Dakota, was recently discharged for being a lesbian. Two local cops-- not affiliated with the Air Force--peeked into her window and saw her marriage certificate from Iowa, then reported their find to the base commander. (They were, of course, under no legal obligation to do so.) Because she's a lesbian, she's barred from military service. Even during the height of Jim Crow, blacks were allowed to wear the nation's uniform, though their job opportunities were limited. Women in uniform are likewise limited in their job options, but they are still gratefully welcomed into the ranks. Gays and lesbians like Sgt. Newsome or Lt. Dan Choi? Forbidden.
Isn't that segregation?
In the majority of states, same-sex couples are not permitted to marry each other, and same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions aren't recognized. It doesn't matter if your religion approves of the pairing, or your parents, or your kids. It doesn't matter if the marriage keeps you together, gives you strength and resolve in a hostile world, or signifies an enduring love for one special person who makes your life complete. Marry gay? No way.
Isn't that segregation?
In Florida and Utah, no gay couple may adopt children. That includes adopting your partner's child. It's not that the children of gays and lesbians are taken from them and relocated to "better" families, but that the structure of the family is dictated by state law to discriminate against GLBTQ citizens, and makes it much more difficult for them to enjoy the blessings of liberty guaranteed to all. Rules against hospital visitations, inheritances, cohabitation, spousal benefits--all of these are not just common, but protected by bigoted laws. Hell, within the past decade even having gay sex in your own home was a crime in many states. Family rights are for straights only.
Isn't that segregation?
Constance McMillen wasn't banned from her prom entirely. She could have bought two individual tickets for herself and her girlfriend, rather than try to attend as a couple. She could have worn the outfits that the school board approved of girls wearing, rather than a tuxedo. She could have pretended to run into her girlfriend at the event, rather than admit she's in a relationship. She could have acted like a stereotypical heterosexual girl, dressed like a stereotypical heterosexual girl, and stayed in a school board-approved closet, rather than be herself. The school board is discriminating, telling her that she has a place that she cannot move beyond, and that any attempt to do so will cause the school to make her the object of scorn and anger among her classmates, subjecting her to their rage at being denied what appears to them to be the most important social event of their lives, orchestrating a societal condemnation of her, and encouraging private groups to take up the discriminatory slack and host private events where Connie can continue to be barred from being herself (actually, if it's a private event, she can be banned from attending entirely, as can all gay students, or all minority students, or all non-Christian students, or all C-students, etc.).
Isn't that segregation?
Yeah. Yeah it is. And these are far from the only examples. It's time we admitted it, and time we stopped it.
Here's a first step: give the students of Itawamba County Agricultural High School a prom they can all attend and be proud of.
HOW TO GIVE: To support the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition's "Second Chance Prom Fund," and help Constance and the students of IAHS have a prom they can be proud of, click here! Funds are being handled by the Mississippi ACLU.
After you give, either specify that this is for the Prom Fund on the form or email Jennifer Carr directly at jcarr (at) aclu-ms (dot) org, and let her know how to direct your gift.