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Adversarial Advocates:

A Self-Defeating Philosophy

Adversarial

ad·ver·sar·i·al

\ad-və(r)-ser-ē-əl,

adjective

Date: 1926

: of, relating to, or characteristic of an adversary.

ad·vo·cate

\ad-voh-kāt\

noun

Etymology: Middle English advocat, from Anglo-French, from Latin advocatus, from past participle of advocare to summon, from ad- +

vocare to call, from voc-, vox voice

14th century

1 : one that pleads the cause of another; specifically : one that pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court

2 : one that defends or maintains a cause or proposal

3 : one that supports or promotes the interests of another

The greatest danger the Trans Community faces at this present point in history is not in fact, the

opposition we face from conservatives. Rather, the greatest danger we face is ourselves. We have become

too fragmented, with each little faction screaming for its own label, and its own recognition, separate

from all the others.

Worse, the majority of us will not stand up and advocate for our own portion of the community.

Some do not even know how to truly be anything but an activist and a protester. This is not what the

Trans community needs. We need advocates, not radicals and activists.

Even worse yet, those few who do stand and advocate for us, are not willing to advocate for the LGB

community. Yet, if they do not, the LGB community has no incentive to advocate for us, and thus, the

Trans Community once again gets thrown under the bus.

Worst and most egregious of all, most of those who claim to be advocates are not willing to work

with organizations other than their own. Many of them are so territorial and jealous regarding their

positions and reputations, that when a new organization crops up within the Trans community, the first

response of an established organization is not to welcome the newcomers, but to nitpick at the minor

flaws found in any start-up venture, to question the new organizations’ qualifications, credibility,

sincerity, or necessity. Sometimes this manifests as an attitude of “You don’t have a right to exist because

you did not get (fill in the blank with established organization or activist)’s permission to start your

organization.”

This sort of sandbox foolishness is extremely detrimental to the cause for which we are currently

fighting; namely the rights of the transgendered to exist, free of harassment or persecution, to receive

medical care, to secure medical insurance, to live, love, marry, and enjoy all the inalienable human rights

that other persons enjoy. If we do not stop this foolishness, we will not achieve any of those goals.

The solution is a simple one, although it may be difficult for some advocates, especially those who

style themselves activists, to change these behavior patterns; nevertheless, change them we must, if we

are to succeed. There is talk in the advocacy community, of inclusiveness. We would submit, however,

that any organization which does not embrace new organization, new volunteers, new advocates, or new

voices, is in point of fact, not being inclusive, but instead is being adversarial.

This must cease immediately. If you are an established organization, reach out to the new ones.

Whether they are a start-up, or an up-start, reach out to them, and say “What can we do together to help

you make your organization grow and flourish? Where can we combine efforts in order to more

efficiently utilize our resources? Let’s get to know you. Let’s hear your ideas.”

If you have someone walk through your office door and say “I have some ideas, I want to volunteer,

and here is what I can bring to the table,” it is imperative you respond with something more than “Oh,

ok…(insert crickets chirping)” or “Uh-huh, great-here-stuff-these-envelopes-don’t-bother-me-I’m-busy-

and-important”, or worst of all, the protective reaction of “I’m sorry, really not interested, in your ideas,

my way or the highway,”.

Instead of simply responding in a brush-off manner like the examples given, take the time to sit down

with the prospective volunteer, ask them what their ideas are, and ask them what skills they can bring to

your organization.

If all they can do is stuff envelopes, put them to work doing that.

Maybe they have a background in peer counseling; if so, have them help with facilitating a support

group.

If they are a graphic artist, have them help produce flyers for upcoming events. Even if the

volunteer doesn’t have skills, they may still have ideas worth looking at.

In the end, inclusiveness is about including all people, not pushing away the strong ones, and only

accepting the weak ones who will agree to be your sock puppets.

At this point in time, it is imperative that the Trans Community begin being inclusive, instead of

continuing to fragment into ever-smaller sub-divisions. If we become inclusive with one another, and

fight for one another, the LGB community will embrace us; they have already realized that it is worth

fighting for Trans rights, because if the Trans community has their rights recognized and affirmed, the

LGB community will also have their own rights recognized by default. If we are to unite the T with the

LGB, all we need to do is quit squabbling with one another and work together like the adults we are

supposed to be. The LGB community is already reaching out. If we quit squabbling amongst ourselves

and take their hand, meeting them halfway, we will succeed.