The Radical Queer/Trans Movement

This year the 40th anniversary of Stonewall was celebrated; quite less radically, I might add, than the actual riots of 40 years ago. Many consider Stonewall to be the launch of the modern gay rights movement—a rebellion that has since splintered into idealism for some, apathy for others, and activism and radicalism for many. This divergence from the "one way to fight for gay rights" concept is rooted in our history. I'll explain:

There's More Than One Way

I often talk of this elusive one voice that represents us all, despite our many differences. I am a very harsh critic of this monotone signal, but I wholeheartedly recognize the significant contributions these voices have made. What am I talking about? I'm referring to our national gay rights movement. Historically, the sole purpose of our gay rights movement hasn't always been the institution of marriage and issues of militarization were for a different purpose. Now, before you click on the comment button in fury, know that I'm the biggest romantic there is and want my 1,138 rights just like everyone else. I also have a very dear friend that protects our country and I fear for his safety and his career daily. It's not fair that his or mine or your sexuality should be the basis for discrimination. But, marriage and military integration aren't my purpose here, right now.

I want to give you a historical perspective on our radical national queer movements. Stonewall was a stilettos throw in our LGBT history. The contributions that we regard today are the result of what those riots created and that was organizations that fought for more universal LGBT rights on all levels of disenfranchisement.

Early Radical Gay Groups

On the third night of the Stonewall rebellion, thirty-seven men and women founded the Gay Liberation Front (GLF), a more vocal and daring organization than the Mattachine Society which believed in "silent" protests. Gay Liberation Front was the first LGBT organization to use the word "gay" and aligned themselves with other human rights groups like the Black Panthers and anti-war organizations.

The GLF organized demonstrations and worked to include gay issues within the social movements of the Black Panthers and other populist organizations. They believed that together, they "could work to restructure American society." GLF believed that capitalism, patriarchy and sexism were the root cause of the disenfranchisement of people in the States. GLF also believed that assimilation wasn't the answer and that in order to gain rights, LGBT had to take to the streets.

It wasn't until 1970 that the Gay Activist Alliance was formed from members of the GLF that wanted to focus solely on LGBT issues. GLF ended its operation in 1972.

Modern Day Queer/Trans Radicalism

Fast forward to today and there exist queer-identified or supported organizations that are feminist; focus on economic justice; the rights of queer prisoners; LGBTQ youth of color; separation of church and state; and unabashed liberation, like the radical queer, trans and allie group Bash Back!.

Bash Back!

Bash Back!, the 100 plus members of which don pink bandanas, have four points of unity that read:

1. Fight for liberation. Nothing more, nothing less. State recognition in the form of oppressive institutions such as marriage and militarism are not steps toward liberation but rather towards heteronormative assimilation.


2. A rejection of Capitalism, Imperialism, and all forms of State power.


3. Actively oppose oppression both in and out of the “movement.” All oppressive behavior is not to be tolerated.


4. Respect a diversity of tactics in the struggle for liberation. Do not solely condemn an action on the grounds that the State deems it to be illegal.

Bash Back!'s call rings strikingly similar to early GLF ideals, a radical notion of LGBT equality. "We're not trying to change people's minds, we're not trying to bend straight people to give us freedom—we're fighting back," Bash Back! Milwaukee member Tristyn Trailer-Trash said in a Details interview. "We're going to stop them from preaching hate, stop them from creating an environment that's unfriendly to gay, queer, and trans people. We're not going to be nice about it—they're not being nice about it!"

No More Mr. Nice Gay?

"Out of the closet and into the streets," GLF shouts also rang in the late 60s. They too organized in cells as opposed to formal leadership. They too had had enough.

Image: Bash Back! members. © David France