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Gay Marriage Isn't Racist

Jasmyne Cannick may not admit it, but marriage equality benefits all gays and lesbians -- not just the white ones

By James Kirchick

An Advocate.com exclusive posted June 18, 2008

I never thought I would have to write a piece defending same-sex marriage from the accusation that it’s “racist.” (Socially conforming? Yes. Racist? Never.) Especially on the first full day of gay marriage in California. But Jasmyne Cannick’s characteristically angry and fact-free piece ( Jasmyne Cannick Doesn't Give a Fig About Gay Marriage ) compels a response.

“The gay marriage struggle is the perfect example of white gay America’s ‘superiority complex’ in action,” Cannick writes. How so? She never fully explains. In California and Massachusetts, any gay person can get married, regardless of skin color. If black gays are not taking advantage of their newfound right -- and Cannick never bothers to do any research to discover if this is actually the case -- there is probably an underlying social explanation. My hunch, however, is that white people are not behind it.

Again, without any evidence, Cannick claims that the gay marriage movement “has been about obtaining marriage for the white gay men and lesbian women who were also willing to fund it. Bottom line. Everyone else has just been along for the ride.” Cannick is correct in asserting that she has “been along for the ride.” Except she leaves out that it’s been a free ride. As a lesbian (er, “same-gender-loving person”), she has benefited enormously from the struggle for gay marriage (even if she chooses not to take advantage of it) all the while not only failing to contribute an ounce of effort to the cause but assailing it all the way.

When not decrying gay marriage as a white conspiracy, Cannick minimizes its importance. “Almost everyone I know,” she writes, “is concerned with the economy, the price of gasoline, unemployment, whether or nor they can pay their mortgage. … Plainly put, regardless of sexual orientation or citizenship, most people are more concerned with those domestic bread-and-butter issues … except for within the gay civil rights movement, where it has been full speed ahead on marriage.” Well, duh. The purpose of the “gay civil rights movement” is to lobby for gay civil rights. Does she expect gay activists to protest the “price of gasoline”?

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Kirchick is an assistant editor of The New Republic.

Keywords: James Kirchick Jasmyne Cannick california marriage marriage

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2009-04-25: Lindsay Lohan's Fight for Marriage Equality
2009-02-20: Photos From the Ground: Lobby Day, Sacramento
2009-01-10: Prop. 8 Exit Polling of African-Americans Way Off, Experts Say
2009-01-08: Jerry Brown’s Argument to Void Prop. 8 Under Attack
2008-12-30: Constructive Impatience

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

Name: Chris Sullivan
Date posted: 2008-06-23 2:43 PM
Hometown: Chicago, IL

Comment:

Gays Blacks and Sadness: Did you actually read the comments you are pontificating about? I doubt it. If you had, you would notice that there was one person who used the term you state and one person (myself) who referenced how there are sad people who use these types of stories to push this sad way of thinking. I suggest you start by taking a good look at your own self first instead of just emoting and reacting to what it appears you want to hear rather than what is really there. "Black sadness" ? - honey, I hate to disappoint you - but black people have no patent on pain and suffering. They had slavery but the American Indians suffered much more. The Jews have the Holocaust, the Irish had the great famine, etc. etc. etc. More "woe is me" b.s. - save it.

Name: Chris Sullivan
Date posted: 2008-06-23 10:39 AM
Hometown: Chicago, IL

Comment:

Dantiano: There was ONE reference by one poster re "ni66er" (there are always a couple of people who will take an issue as a springboard to vent their own issues - much like your own posting). Yes, there is racism in this country Einstein - and you know what? - it exists from black to white as much as from white to black. There's an old saying "Self-pity" is the highest form of egotism. When you're done blaming other people for your problems, perhaps you and Ms. Connick can take reponsibility for the state of your own lives and offer up something positive and productive. Nobody is buying into the "perpetual victim" thing anymore.

Name: Dantiano
Date posted: 2008-06-21 12:31 PM
Hometown: Dallas, Tx

Comment:

Well most of you are exactly what Jasmyne was referring to: upper class white men who are gay and can pay your way to make laws. I saw comments that said "ni99er" among other things. The gay community is just a racist and America at large. She was stating her opinion which did not go unfounded. She made generalizations, but what writer doesn't. At the end of the day, a white gay man with money is still a white man with money and sadly in this country that is still a representation of power, but to those of you who hold the power, it is hard to see those that don't. Her main point: we have bigger issues than marriage going on in society at large now. So before you label her a "ni99er" look at yourself and your partner, as you consider walking up that aisle, there are others who can't even walk the grocery aisle. But most of you don't give a damn. That is what gay lifestyle is about: narcissism and self-indulgence.

Name: Keith
Date posted: 2008-06-20 1:09 PM
Hometown: Dayton, Ohio

Comment:

Ms. McCannick is just another example of a woman-of-color who still has a chip on her shoulder thinking every "cracker" is guilty of lynching her ancestors and hating African Americans. Let's all pull our heads out of our posteriors, now shall we? And this includes Mr. McCrotch as well. The Gay Rights movement as it stands today may still be largely white, but it is also made up of all races, no matter how small a percentage. It also reflects the world we live in. We should not pay any attention to any of those ignorant people such as Mr. McCrotch or Ms. MacCannick? I laugh at them and their hate speech as people that, I hope, will eventually pass on and be replaced by intelligent, enlightened people who look forward to a world of variety, unity in spirit and equality. So she made an ass of herself in full view of the gay community....good luck to her getting a Saturday night date now! She would be hell to wake up with in the morning!

Name: Lee
Date posted: 2008-06-19 11:07 PM
Hometown: Akron

Comment:

I did not find Cannick's article angry, but disappointed. I think what Ms. Cannick tried to explain and did not do such a good job at was this: Often times with gay rights organizations there is a perception that everyone's version of equality is the same and it's not. I know, I know "equal is equal", right? Not necessarily, there are still avenues in minorities (black, latino, asian) lives that are not equal to those of their white counterparts and because those avenues are more limited and consistently perpetuate feelings of inferiority and invisibility, minority gays opinions are therefore felt as invisible. She may have felt that utlimately she would not have to give reminders to others of minority standing (being gay) to take into account the words and feelings she may have had. Oh and one last thing...look at the amount of information/articles directed towards gays of color. It's not that many, seriously.

Name: Maniska
Date posted: 2008-06-19 9:33 PM
Hometown: Dos Palos

Comment:

I don't think so!!! It is wrong, it is wrong, and one more time it is wrong. I don't care how this secular confused world tries to twist and turn laws. God said a marriage is to be between one man and one woman. How dare us as people let something ordained by god be overran with laws that will bring destruction, chaos, and more confusion than imaginable. It is not okay, however, we will all know the truth one day. I will speak my opinion but most of all speak the truth which is the word of god. This is a choice that people make to be homosexual. No one forces them to do anything. If that was the case which it is not then almost everyone would be in this lifestyle. Everything we do in life is a choice and just because generations seek change from common and correct morals does not mean they have the right suddenly deserve rights not wanted by everyone. I do not hate he people but rather the sin.

Name: David Perry
Date posted: 2008-06-19 7:33 PM
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Comment:

Thanks for your well-reasoned essay, Mr. Kirchick. Bravo. And, yet again, shame on Jasmyne Cannick. What readers of "The Advocate" and any even casual observer of gay American discourse has now known for years is the Jasmyne Cannick is in vital need of therapy for her personal demons -- and not in need of the use of "The Advocate"'s resourses to constantly spew her blind hatred of white people. Surely "The Advocate" can locate black gay writers who don't possess a personal axe to grind; who will add something useful and forward-moving to the discussion instead of personal paranoia, hatred and dysfunction. Compassion and pity for Ms. Cannick's obviously damaged psyche and warped viewpoint only goes so far. It seems perhaps time for an intervention to stop her continuing attempts to harm both herself and the gay equality movement.

Name: David Perry
Date posted: 2008-06-19 7:32 PM
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Comment:

Name: David Perry
Date posted: 2008-06-19 7:31 PM
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Comment:

Name: David Stradn
Date posted: 2008-06-19 6:31 PM
Hometown: Minneapolis

Comment:

Recent studies have found that a much higher percentage of black same sex couples are raising children than are white same sex couples. The same has been found to be true of latino/hispanic couples relative to nonlatino/hispanic white couples. Because so many of the rights of marriage benefit the children involved one could argue there is more benefit for black and latino couples as more are raising children. Also, the economic protections and supports provided by marriage equality can help reduce homelessness and poverty, particularly as couples age and increase glbt people's access to healthcare all of which are more important to those of us who are low income. Wealthy couples are more likely to have access to healthcare and have the option of choosing domestic partner benefits through their employer. While not all employees have the option for spousal benefits it is far more common and will beneift far more glbt people across social classes.

Name: Michael Carlon
Date posted: 2008-06-19 3:48 PM
Hometown: Seattle

Comment:

Marriage is a most basic way we order our lives. Whom we love and committ to are as basic and essential as eating, working, paying the bills, and all the rest. With the legal recognition of our relationships, and the celebration in our communities and families, we are achieving such a fundemental right that is equal to or exceeds all that Cannick wishes for. Marriage may not be the best arrangement for all; but its availability to all is paramount to everyone and society, as the California Supreme Court stated in its opinion. This additional recognition that "gays are OK" is what opponents on the christo-fascist right are really upset about. It is not about gay relationships destroying marriage which is idiotic. Some gays may not be interested in marriage; but let us hope that internal homophobia will not blind them to the joy as expressed in the two Latinas from Texas traveling to California to express "we are OK too" in marrying.

Name: Chris W
Date posted: 2008-06-19 3:23 PM
Hometown: New York

Comment:

Thank you Mr. Kirchick for your thoughtful response to Ms. Cannick’s truly bizarre rant. Reading her word yesterday felt to me like a slap in the face, and not in a good way. With her assertion that gay marriage is elitist she seems to me to fall into the same trap as those opponents of gay rights who seem unable to get past their revulsion same gender wedding cake toppers. What advocates of gay marriage fight for is not a costly wedding ceremony, but for long-term marriage equality, pure and simple. Most people I know who are making the decision to marry do so (along with many other reasons) in order that they may provide affordable health insurance for their partners or in order that they make decisions about the welfare of their children without the interference of costly lawyers. Surely these issues are far from elitist and affect all gay people regardless of race or income. Surely these rights are worth fighting for.

Name: JC
Date posted: 2008-06-19 3:03 PM
Hometown: Norfolk, VA

Comment:

Jasmyne's article got me thinking...who did decide that gay marriage was a more important issue to pursue than inclusive hate crime legislation, or inclusive employment non-discrimination, or the elimination of don't ask don't tell? I see evidence of these other issues being worked on and progress being made, but certainly not with the same zeal as marriage. I think Jasmyne is on to something. Here's another idea: I could more easily get behind a movement to disconnect the civil rights contained in marriage from the ritual of marriage. Why not start a movement so that any single person, regardless of age, race, economic status, orientation, national origin, ability, or other identity can designate who can see them in the hospital, or who can inheret their wealth? Why should so many rights be connected to whether a person is married to another person? I don't get it.

Name: Charles
Date posted: 2008-06-19 2:35 PM
Hometown: San Diego

Comment:

My partner of 33 years (now spouse) and I got married on Tuesday in San Diego at the County clerk's office. We were among the 144 couples who took advantage of the San Diego County Clerk/Recorder office marriage ceremony. The staff was great and the San Diego LGBT Center had folks there to cheer us on and wish us well. The rainbow of folks included old white guys like us and gals, young couples, couples both lesbian and gay with kids, latino men and latina women, and most poignantly two African American women who took a 30 hour bus trip from Lubbock Texas to get married in San Diego. If there wasn't a rainbow of colors represented, I don't know then what our rainbow looks like.

Name: Chris Sullivan
Date posted: 2008-06-19 1:22 PM
Hometown: Chicago, IL

Comment:

The fact is that since GLBT people cover every kind of person that exists, a certain duality exists... the diversity is extraordinary but so too is the difficulty in unifying so many diverse people. All GLBT people are keenly aware of being discriminated against and don't need a lecture from people who seem to be "perpetual victims". SOMEBODY is always responsible for their unhappiness or unjust treatment. God forbid it be their paranoid thinking and entitlement mindset that have anything to do with it. If people aren't treating you the way you want, welcome to planet Earth - it ain't easy for any of us - so suck it up and do something positive about it - bitching is not the answer. If you're waiting around for people to feel sorry for you, you've got a long freaking wait indeed.

Name: Mario
Date posted: 2008-06-19 1:15 PM
Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC

Comment:

At my university, our GLBT group did cooperate with groups for people of color. One thing I was struck by was how people on both sides could be trivializing of the discrimination they did. I get it, I'm white and well-off, so the discrimination I feel as a gay male isn't as bad as what a black person feels, especially since I can hide my gayness, yada yada. But what I would say is that a little more empathy on both sides would help. Instead of these self-righteous scoldings of how we're all racist, some empathy and considering how it sounds to hear homophobic attitudes coming from blacks while they complain loudly of racism. Of course, it might be something like hearing racist attitudes from white gays who complain of homophobia. All I know is that attacking each other is not likely to lead to cooperation and understanding.

Name: Mario
Date posted: 2008-06-19 12:49 PM
Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC

Comment:

There is racism in LGBT organizations. I just don't see how the gay marriage struggle is evidence of such racism. It isn't the only priority of such groups anyway, but since it can be pursued in the courts, it's an issue which we can see leaps of progress on, like we did this month. But Cannick leaves it as a mystery what she would have LGBT rights groups do instead. Protest high gas prices? Really? I mean, even if I ignore the short-sightedness of wanting to return to cheap gas so America can get back to guzzling it all away... It just doesn't seem like something a gay rights group should be doing. What is important to LGBT people of color AS LGBT people? While Cannick might not realize it, that means what is relevant to her as an LGBT person that might not be relevant to non-LGBT person (of color, or not). You know, something that an LGBT group should be concerned with. What are those issues? She didn't give any good answer in her article. But I am interested to know.

Name: Robert
Date posted: 2008-06-19 9:36 AM
Hometown: Tampa

Comment:

it was rather dissapointing reading her artical. Yeah we got a lot of white guy photoes of gay marriage but maybe thats cause the indeviduals regardless of their race worked hard to get first in line and were the first to share. Thats more by chance then by race. But who's taking numbers? If i wanted to marry a black guy i can, if my sister wanted to mary a latino, good for here. Who's gonna stop us? I had a friend like that. He was more about being the center of attention then actually being a friend.If he wasnt the center of attention he's make himself so one way or another whether it be making everyone feel like crap, or being obnoxiouse. Cannick is behaving the same about the "black issue". She wants blacks to be the center off attention, rather then simply another part of the community. Or maybe deep down she simply wants to be the center of attention at this point.

Name: Carlos Mitchell
Date posted: 2008-06-19 12:22 AM
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Comment:

I, too, was shocked by J. Cannick's words. Yes, poverty in the black community is a problem, but we can't just fight one battle at a time. We can't just set aside our fight for equal rights just cause another group may want us to. As for it being just whites who fight for our rights in the LGBT community, that is incorrect. I, a triple minority (disabled, latino, AND gay), have volunteered for GLAAD here since 2002 and most of the volunteers and staff are not white. In the offices of LAMBDA LEGAL, latins are on their staff. OUTFEST has a good number of minorities on their staff and volunteers. Sadly, Ms. Cannick has misused her 'pulpit' here and has only helped the right by showing infighting within the LGBT community. And any sign of weakness, they're sure to love. Thanks again for not letting her words go unnoticed and called into question.

Name: stoneself
Date posted: 2008-06-18 10:43 PM
Hometown: fremont, california

Comment:

the queer rights movement learned a lot from the civil rights movement and the feminist movement. but it hasn’t quite learned the lessons that lead rise to the understanding that racism isn’t just about racial prejudice, but also the power behind it. and it hasn’t learned the lessons that lead to the various waves of feminism. the myopia here isn't in what cannick wrote, but the inability to see the institutionalized racism that is also present in the queer rights movement. as a queer of color, i will say i often feel disenfranchised by the privileged attitudes and actions of my mostly white queer community.

Name: Louisa
Date posted: 2008-06-18 8:17 PM
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX

Comment:

Thank you! I have never been more angered by a piece in Advocate than I was by Ms. Cannick's. I may not be black, but I am poor, and when my ex and I were together and wanting desperately to be married, just the ability to save a little in taxes would have been wonderful. Not to mention insurance, etc...and all those legal contracts that could help provide SOME of the benefits of marriage? We couldn't afford any. I've had to take her to the emergency room and not been allowed to go in the back with her. I also contend that the inability to get married ultimately led to the demise of our relationship- without some kind of legitimacy and legal ties, life was complicated and family just did not give our relationship anywhere near the status of spouses. Marriage IS economics, and it IS social equality, and if those aren't important to any civil rights movement, I don't know what is.

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