The Consequences of Pitting Race Against Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity

Source: Think Progress

Our guest bloggers are Melissa Dunn, an LGBT Research and Communications intern at the Center for American Progress and Aisha Moodie-Mills, advisor of LGBT Progress’ FIRE Initiativefor racial equality.

Last week’s insensitive rant by Kevin Naff of the Washington Blade which trivialized race-based hate crimes, and the recent revelations of the National Organization for Marriage’s race-baiting tactics, have shed much needed light on the fallacy of the gay versus race debate. Both of these instances, ironically from opposite sides of the ideological spectrum—NOM being a conservative anti-gay organization and the Washington Blade an LGBT publication—promote the same disparaging myth. That gay = white, and that race and sexuality are mutually exclusive and diametrically opposed.

Tawny's 411 on Asian Gay & Proud

I am a 2nd generation Chinese-amerikan (Half Cantonese/Half TeoChow) born to a mom who immigrated to the US from Vietnam. Born in Houston, grew up in Seattle. I’m a Monkey, Sagittarius Sun, Libra Moon, Able-bodied female. I grew up working class, but have now moved into more of a middle class lifestyle. I went to U of WA and got a BA in Communications and Philosophy and a Master’s in Social Work. I think I’m almost done with my Saturn return. I’m learning to love myself in all ways possible. I’m an only child. I don’t like rules or things that confine me. I want to run free in slow motion across a field, except I have a lot of allergies to flowers, dust and bugs. I’m also allergic to gluten, soy, dairy, eggs, and RICE. WTF, right?! That’s what I’m saying! I love to play and joke around and make fun of the people I love. When I’m excited, I like to bounce around. When I’m not, I’m all mopey. Lastly, I am a co-creator of lesbeasian.com, a website created for and by Asian Lesbians. I go by the alias “Tawny” in LesbeAsian, to protect our identities from crazy lesbophobes out there.