21.07.2004

Outrage: Loud and proud

Phil Hamilton reviews the website of Peter Tatchell's gay rights organisation OutRage - and finds there is very little for straight campaigners concerned with sexual politics

For example, the statement discusses how years of cosy chats between the police and representatives of the “gay community” did nothing to stop police harassment of gay and bisexual men. It was only when Outrage started to make their lives difficult, it claims, through station occupations, busting entrapment operations, etc that the police were forced to reign in the homophobia it had hitherto turned a blind eye to.

The ‘Aims’ section distils this discussion into three objectives: the assertion of the human rights of all gays; active opposition to all forms of homophobia and discrimination; and the affirmation of the right to sexual freedom. It goes onto state how it will work with anyone in pursuit of these aims, and that its activism may at times complement the legislation-focused activity of more mainstream queer rights groups, such as Stonewall. Furthermore, Outrage “opposes assimilation into straight society”. Instead, it claims to be “pioneering … ideas to transform the legal system for the benefit of everyone”, such as campaigning for rights of all unwed couples. However, these objectives begin with the description of Outrage as “a broad-based group of queers”. So what role (if any) should straight activists play?

Unfortunately this question goes unanswered. Membership is defined under ‘Frequently asked questions’ as open to those agreeing with Outrage’s opposition to homophobia and turning up to its monthly meetings, which are “open to all queers”. Further queries are directed to the ‘Join us’ section, which again reiterates the open door policy for LGBT activists, but again nothing for straights concerned with sexual politics.

To be fair Outrage locates itself as part of the lesbian and gay community, arguing that its flexible membership policy reinforces its grassroots credentials and accountability to that community, but that is as far as it goes. No case for ‘queer separatism’ is made, let alone theorised. Another interesting question touches on the relationship between homophobia and capitalism. Sadly the answer does not go into much depth, merely stating that Outrage is for legal equality, and refuses to take a stand on this issue because “this is not within our mandate”. This probably explains why there is no historical account of gay liberation movements or homophobia on the site, which is surprising, to say the least.

Clicking on ‘Press releases’ brings up no less than six items on the muslim cleric, Dr al-Qaradawi, who recently visited London as Ken Livingstone’s guest. These pieces aim to expose this supposed ‘moderate’ theologist’s views on female circumcision, the hijab, his role as chief scholar for the reactionary ‘Islam online’ website and attacks on gays. It also correctly criticises Livingstone for not providing a platform for progressive muslims, which of course plays into the islamophobic hands of the rightwing press.

A little bit of digging also turns up a press release on the aforementioned pro-Palestine demo. The account relates how Outrage and Queer Youth Alliance activists were surrounded by a motley crew of SWP members, Palestinian officials, clergymen and peaceniks, and denounced as Zionists and racists, among other things. They were also accused of “dividing the Free Palestine movement” (a theme touched on by Lindsey German in her recent Newsnight dingdong with comrade Tatchell). The release goes on to note that it is wrong to remain silent about the violent homophobia of the likes of Fatah and Hamas, because homophobia could “become entrenched in a new Palestinian state and Palestinian leaders will be emboldened to abuse the rights of other Palestinian citizens”.
It is small wonder that Outrage pursues a separatist course, when sections of the left seem prepared to duck the fight against homophobia in order to avoid being seen to criticise allies.