"It won't all be as glamorous and self-expressive as protests, but we need to use a multiplicity of tactics to get the job done."

The key word, of course, is "multiplicity". On another thread to a piece you've initiated someone took a jab at me and indirectly others for talking about "strategizing", as if that were somehow now an old, discarded, discredited way of approaching things. It's legitimate and indeed necessary to challange those who claim or are considered to represent the GLBT community, assuming we can even begin to define it.

Any organization composed of more than one individual is subject to the criticism that sometimes its sense of self-importance, propensity toward inertia, leanings toward secrecy and an "inner circle", must always be able to hold a mirror up to itself (or have others hold it up to them) without seeing that as being disruptive or irrational.

Yet there is always danger in an indiscrimmate dumping of what may well be an immense amount of planning, analysis, and the like over a period of time. For example, if one reads the history of decisions where, when, and how to most effectively litigate some of the key GLBT issues in the past twenty years, one quickly sees that a wrong step or incompletely considered stragegy may well have caused serious defeats and setbacks.

So while others commendably, and I hope to God loudly but without any hint of counterproductive violence, carry their signs and perfect their chants, some of us will continue to quietly try and reflect and do planning and persuasion, lobbying, and education. We all make contributions in various ways. Do not trample us under your brisk footsteps in the street.

Michael, you and I think far too much alike. One word in response to your post: amen!