~Politics Without Going Crazy ~
By John R. Ballew, M.S.
Copyright 2005 all rights reserved
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You’ve got a lot at stake this year. Don’t let the negative rhetoric make you give up.
I love living in Atlanta. I love the physical beauty of the place, and I love the way this city is progressive
and a welcome place for LGBTQ folks. Life here is good (except for the traffic).
That is, nine months a year. The other three months the Georgia Legislature is in session and that
provokes a mixture of embarrassment, fear and rage. Yahoos come out of the woodwork, don’t they?
There’s usually someone from a part of the state that defines itself as Not Atlanta who is ready to take
away our rights to curry favor with the folks back home. The result this year is the proposal to amend the
state constitution to guarantee that marriage remains a heterosexual privilege. The campaign between
now and the November vote on the amendment isn’t likely to make you proud you live in Georgia.
National politics? Don’t get me started. We’ve got a lot at stake this year –every year, really. That’s the
blessing and the curse of living in a democracy. The federal marriage amendment is likely to face
rougher going than it’s state counterpart, but no one can predict the future with certainty.
Living through times of social change is messy. The reactionaries have a forum for saying outrageous
and hateful things. Even so-called progressive political leaders (like John Kerry, who supports amending
the Massachusetts constitution) often show themselves to be working both sides of the street.
It’s enough to drive you nuts, isn’t it? A friend in recovery once told me that he didn’t vote or pay
attention to the news because it disturbed his serenity. There are times when we’ve all felt like that.
Unfortunately, burying our heads in the sand isn’t an option.
Hearing reactionary religious and political leaders bully and persecute the gay community day after day
can wear you down; it’s likely to increase anxiety and depression in lesbian and gay people. And hearing
the stereotypes over and over reinforces the internalized homophobia that lurks inside many of us.
So what do you do?
Probably the best place to start is to realize that your self worth doesn’t depend on what politicians or
voters decide. You’re a human being worthy of respect, regardless of what some yokel or reactionary
might say. Learn to laugh at them – but also to take action.
Don’t support politicians who don’t support you. Speak up. Taking action is a great way to avoid
becoming depressed. In our society one way to take action is to vote. You don’t have to immerse
yourself in every cockamamie story that comes along to stay informed and make a difference. Check out
and support organizations like Georgia Equality and the Human Rights Campaign to stay up to date.
Write letters. Come out. Participate!
Karla Drenner has been a genuine hero for our community, the only openly gay voice in the Georgia
legislature. Think about how hard that has been this year! She’s spoken eloquently on your behalf. Her
presence changed the debate in the legislature this year. Now Keisha Cunningham has announced her
candidacy to join Karla in the state house, and Cathy Woolard has announced her candidacy for the 4th
Congressional district. If you’re feeling discouraged, joining the effort to help elect these fine women is a
great way to make yourself more powerful as a citizen and as a gay man or woman.
When you stand up for yourself, you may not always win, but you will always become healthier and
stronger. That beats the hell out of letting the Christian Coalition and other assorted morons and
hatemongers drive you crazy.
John R. Ballew, M.S., is a licensed professional counselor in private practice in Atlanta. He specializes in issues related to coming out,
sexuality and relationships, spirituality and career. He can be reached via the web at www.bodymindsoul.org or at (404) 874-8536.
© Copyright 2005 John R. Ballew, M.S. All rights reserved.
The BRC extends thanks to John R. Ballew for his gracious consent to display and archive his contributions on this site. Any duplication in
any form is prohibited without express written permission of the author and is a copyright violation.