The word "queer" is a political term used to describe people who do not identify as heterosexual or cisgender. Queer movements have been active since the late 20th century, fighting against oppression based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Historical women-led activism has much to teach about leadership, coalition-building, and strategies for social change.
Leadership
Women have led many queer movements throughout history. Some examples include the Combahee River Collective, the Stonewall Riots, and the Lesbian Avengers. The Combahee River Collective was a Black feminist lesbian organization that fought for racial and gender justice in the 1970s. Its leaders included Barbara Smith, Beverly Smith, and Demetria L. Lucas. They argued that all forms of oppression are interconnected, and they worked to build alliances across groups.
Coalition Building
Queer movements can learn from historical women-led activism's approach to building coalitions.
The National Organization for Women (NOW) advocated for equal rights and opportunities for all women, regardless of race, class, or sexuality. This inclusive approach helped them mobilize more support than if they had focused solely on white, middle-class lesbians. NOW also partnered with other organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which allowed them to reach a wider audience and gain more resources.
Strategies for Social Change
Historical women-led activism used various tactics to achieve social change. One strategy was direct action, such as protesting at events like the 1968 Miss America Pageant or marching in Washington, D.C., during the Women's March. These actions raised awareness about issues and put pressure on policymakers. Another strategy was education and outreach, which helped to normalize queerness and make it more visible in mainstream culture. Queer movements today could benefit from adopting these strategies.
Contemporary queer movements should learn from the leadership, coalition-building, and strategies for social change employed by historical women-led activism. By following their examples, queer movements can become more effective and successful in achieving equality and justice for everyone.
What lessons can contemporary queer movements learn from historical women-led activism regarding leadership, coalition-building, and strategies for social change?
The lesson that contemporary queer movements can learn from historical women-led activism is the importance of creating diverse and inclusive coalitions. Women have historically been at the forefront of fighting for gender equality, racial justice, and LGBTQ rights. They understood the power of building alliances with other marginalized groups to achieve their goals and create lasting change.