Against Equality: Queer Revolution, Not Mere Inclusion

The audio recording titled "Against Equality: Queer Revolution, Not Mere Inclusion" captures a community presentation by Ryan Conrad on 1st March 2015 in Wellington. It features a comprehensive critique of mainstream gay and lesbian politics through a radical queer and trans lens. The collective driving this presentation, Against Equality, challenges the so-called "holy trinity" of gay and lesbian mainstream politics: gay marriage, gays in the military, and hate crime legislation.

Conrad begins by outlining their personal background and ties to the collective's activist and academic work. Against Equality, an all-volunteer, anti-capitalist collective based in North America, operates an online archive housing radical critiques of mainstream gay and lesbian politics. Conrad delves into the succumbing of these politics to capitalist structures, exemplifying this through a stark criticism of the non-profit model. These organizations, as described, often sonically advocate for policies that do not truly serve the community but rather fulfill the capitalist agenda.

The collective also pushes against the emphasis on marriage, military inclusion, and hate crimes legislation. It not only emphasizes the limitations of these issues but also reveals how they reinforce and benefit the wealthy elite. Through content from the Conrad’s presentation and the work of academics like Karma Chávez and Yasmin Nair, the record illustrates how the movement for gay rights has been co-opted by neoliberalism. Conrad discusses the problematic nature of marriage as a vehicle for economic benefits and the privatization of essential rights like health care and immigration status.

Additionally, the recording spotlights the nonprofit industry's role in channeling funds into issues like gay marriage while other urgent community needs, especially those affecting marginalized queer individuals, face constant financial struggles. Against Equality champions grassroots activism, arguing for a reorientation of resources and focus towards issues like homelessness, the prison-industrial complex, and health care—areas that significantly impact LGBTQ life but have been overshadowed by the marriage equality movement.

Against Equality operates as a collective that is primarily an archive rather than an organization or movement, highlighting a key distinction that shapes its strategies and approach. While the members have connections to academia and rely on it materially, they express critical views of the traditional academic publishing industry and advocate for broader access to critical conversations beyond high-speed internet availability.

In conclusion, "Against Equality: Queer Revolution, Not Mere Inclusion" is a powerful critique of the mainstream LGBTQ rights movement, urging a move away from assimilationist goals toward a more equitable and just society. The collective's focus is on sharing a historical record of resistance and proposing alternates to the prevailing narrative of progress, aspiring for a truly radical transformation of society that centers justice.

This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.

Ryan Conrad

17-19 tory street, 2010s, activism, againstequality.org, anti-capitalism, anti-profit, aotearoa new zealand, archives, arts, assimilation, auckland pride festival, barack obama, books, canada, classism, collective, discrimination, don't ask, don't tell (dadt), economics, edith windsor, equality, feminism, gay, hate, hate crime, hiv / aids, human rights, human rights campaign (usa), indigenous peoples, internet, karma chávez, law, lesbian, lobbying, marriage, marriage equality, military, national gay and lesbian task force (usa), neoliberalism, non-profit, pink washing, pride, pride parade (auckland), prison, prisoners, queer resistance, ryan conrad, self publish, the freedom shop, transgender, united states of america, volunteer, wellington, yasmin nair

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