Open Letter to Tony Kushner

Kushner on Democracy Now

While I’m happy that my gay brothers and sisters are finally getting some rhetorical acknowledgment for their struggle from the president, this really is no time to celebrate and fawn over the powerful. Let’s be honest: Obama doesn’t give a fuck about gay people besides the money that they give to his campaign. Moreover, the question of what he believes in his heart is completely irrelevant. The real question is: what are the effects of his policies upon ACTUAL queer people?

I know you’ve been fighting for this a long time Tony, but I really thought you were smarter than this. Amidst the systematic violence to which queer people are subject ON A DAILY BASIS there is simply no possible justification for calling Biden “a wonderful guy” and Obama “an extraordinary man” who you’re proud of! The fact is that the non-heterosexual folk who face the most immediate and violent oppression for their sexual orientation are overwhelmingly poor, black, and/or brown. Unless you’re doing something to remedy the issues faced by the most oppressed segments of the gay community—1, the lack of affordable housing 2, the all-too-ubiquitous nihilistic police violence 3, the all-too-persistent barriers to employment and education 4, the lack of compassionate healthcare services (and this list is by no means comprehensive)—then YOU are responsible for furthering that oppression.

You have a choice to make. Either you’re on the side of the oppressed ALWAYS ALL THE TIME 24/7 (regardless of whether or not you personally are benefiting from that struggle) OR you’re giving the powerful the cover they need to decimate the lives of the very people you claim to care about. Praise to Juan Gonzalez for taking Tony to task on these issues. Tony’s response? “The left craves powerlessness.” If powerlessness means being on the side of justice for people who need it the most then I’ll gladly accept such a label! I have no use for power if by power you mean the tools of oppression. What I don’t understand is why YOU have a use for that kind of power! YOU’RE A WRITER! Why the fuck do you sound like a politician?!