 
Warren J. Blumenfeld
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By Warren J. Blumenfeld
Warren J. Blumenfeld, Ed.D., is Assistant Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa specializing in Multicultural and International Curriculum Studies, as well as LGBTQ Studies. He has edited and authored a number of publications, including "Homophobia: How We All Pay the Price"; "AIDS and Your Religious Community"; as well as the report, "Making Colleges and Universities Safe for Gay and Lesbian Students: Report and Recommendations of the Massachusetts Governors Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth." He also co-produced a documentary on homophobia titled Pink Triangles. |
It grieves me terribly when I see gay and lesbian
organizations themselves restrict inclusion of bisexual
and transgender people from our agendas, our
communities, and our movement. That’s when we also must
speak out, because it is our issue. When anyone is
targeted for hate-motivated harassment or violence based
on their skin color, socioeconomic class, sex, gender
expression, sexuality, physical appearance, ability or
disability, ethnicity, this is our issue too. In the
end, I have seen that whenever anyone is diminished, we
are all demeaned, and I understand that the possibility
for authentic community cannot be realized unless and
until we become involved, to challenge, to question, and
to act. Estelle has been an activist throughout her life
to make the world a better and safer place for me and
for others. She has acted with courage, compassion, and
integrity.
So, if indeed
it is true that, as the old saying goes, the fish is the
last to see or even feel the water because it is so
pervasive, then from our vantage point at the margins,
queer people have a special opportunity – indeed, a
responsibility – to serve as social commentators, as
critics. Our experience as outsiders gives us tools to
expose and highlight the rigidity of gender roles and
the oppressive attitudes and behaviors that dampen and
saturate our environment – and, most importantly, to
challenge the culture to move forever forward and to
grow.
I hope we can join
together and go out into our lives and work for
Tikkun Olam. Let us transform the world.
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2 COMMENTS ON THIS ESSAY:
I just loved Estelle and your vision...
Thank you for sharing it with all of us! :)
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Great page. Good stuff.