Lesbian Identity Politics and Associated Organizations Essay

Identity politics were a major part of social reform in the Sixties and Seventies. Yet, the advent of identity politic reform originates in the Fifties, a decade that saw the African-American Civil Rights Movement start to gain momentum. On the heels of the Civil Rights movement, we also see the Women’s Liberation Movement begin to gain steam, shortly thereafter followed by the Gay Liberation Movement. And as an offshoot of these reform movements, we observe the dawn of lesbian identity politics – a movement very much its own amongst its predecessors. One sect would come to be coined the â€Å"lavender menace† of feminism – a group of mostly Caucasian lesbians – followed later by the black lesbian feminist group, The Combahee River Collective.†¦show more content†¦After delivering the food, and being understandably annoyed with the task, she was belittled by a male protestor who would have her as a sexual reward for sitting-in. Black femini sts, such as those in the Combahee River Collective, experienced very similar discrimination in Civil Rights campaigns, especially groups like the Black Panthers. Just like Jay, many African-American women were used as sexual remuneration to men who did good work within their organizations. This patriarchy, antithetic to the goals of feminism, was the undoubted enemy of both these lesbian organizations - usurping it became one clear goal. The Combahee River Collective, though, did not feel separate from African-American men concerning race, yet, felt doubly oppressed by white patriarchy. Understanding that they connected with black men racially, yet struggled with them sexually, almost supplements the idea that white men – who controlled government and economy – were the ultimate oppressor. They did not feel they were separate, but rather, just opposed to black men along patriarchal lines. Inversely, the Collective connected with white lesbians against patriarchy, but were subjected to hierarchy within feminism as well as lesbianism. Secondly, we see that if well known reformists were not male, they were heterosexual, the epitome being Betty Friedan. This was the reason for the more specific goal of the two groups: battling hierarchy in addition toShow MoreRelated Repression and Fear of Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, and Transgender Americans1610 Words   |  7 PagesRepression and Fear of Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, and Transgender Americans Every June thousands of gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender people gather in different locations around the world to celebrate Gay Pride Month with dances, festivals, and marches. The categories of gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender are fairly recent; the term homosexual used to refer to all individuals of a sexual orientation other than heterosexual. 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