Jerame - I just wanted to say thanks for your thoughtful response to the question about the meaning of poc. At its most basic poc has always meant not white, at its operational level it often does mean black, while both are problematic, it is the term we have all agreed on and I'm not sure getting bogged down in its disparities helps address the issue of race, racial justice, and racism within the queer community which I am assuming these panels are about.

I'm glad that we are all continuing the discussion(s) on race in the post-prop 8 era b/c regardless of how we identify, we all really need to find common ground to ensure that our rights are equal and honored.

Looks like a fun party. But I'm not sure what activists actually do. In 30 years, I've never heard them mention our community's internal problems: objectification, mindless sexualization, self hatred, and internalized homophobia. Do they organize protests? If so, I thought the last few were strategic errors. Do they help staff our service organizations and aids support groups? If so, good for them. But would someone explain this?

I thought the focus was on training was to achieve every LGBT persons rights. Seems like they are marginalizing white gay men like you and Bil. Didn't they see the inauguration and the cheering crowds of priviledged White and Black people for President Obama ? I voted for a Black President, happy to have a Black Attorney General and other Blacks in the cabinet and adminstration. So far no Out LGBT Blacks being appointed by President Obama. Is this a case of "people of color" diversity training to the wrong crowd ? Think Washington D.C.

Wait. Sessions only for People of Color? How would that sound if only white sessions? President Obama wants inclusiveness in this country. Separateness like this is not cool. On Pamshouseblend, Fritz a white gay man said he was booted off as chairman of an LGBT committee in Monterey California because white lesbians on the board did not want a priviledged white gay man to lead the organization. Behind closed doors is not helpful and divisive.

Actually, there are lots of workshops that are "white-only"- where white activists can learn anti-racism and anti-oppression theory and practice.

As for what activsts do-- are there domestic partnerships in your town, state, or corporation? Thank activists. Are you protected from being fired for being gay? Thank activists. Has someone ever stood up for you when you were being gay-bashed? I would argue that THAT person was/is an activist. Have you ever needed health or human services, gone to an LGBT AA meeting, attended a potluck at a gay/lesbian center, seen a queer piece of theatre? Thank an activist.

Perhaps you don't attend conferences or run in activist circles, but we are working hard to combat the sexism that is rampant in the gay world, give gay men tools to fight their own self-hatred, and work our asses off to create a world where we queers don't have to marginalize and ghetto-ize ourselves and our community.

As for "Fritz"... one post by a stranger on someone else's blog... maybe we're not exactly getting the whole story here.

There is an unsettling obsession in progressive circles to compartmentalize white men--no matter how progressive they are or how hard they work. This may make non-white people feel more empowered, which I guess is the point, but it does not--repeat does NOT--further the progressive cause.

Fighting distrust and discrimination with more distrust and discrimination is a recipe for nothing but more distrust and discrimination. I encourage everyone at Creating Change to fight the urge to marginalize white men. It's a tired and worn-out response to real problems that need real solutions.

Am glad to see an issue like this being discussed. Beyond the whole sexual fetish thing within our community when it comes to the "flavors" we like, and get into. From what I see, there is much to be done. On many levels, there is much to be done to unsexualize our color, our ethnicities, and yes, even on the issue of classism. In my view, many of us our willing to cross those lines to "sleep" with someone of a different race, or ethnic group, and may even adopt that group as your own "exclusivity" preference. As a latino I find that offensive. I am not a "flavor", or a candy bar at the check out line. More, until we deal with double-edged sword of race, ethnicity, and culture, it will remain difficult to become a cohesive force--i did not say INTEGRATED--and a cohesive force is needed to take on this fight for full CIVIL RIGHTS. Until we realize that bias and discrimination for/against any other group based within our community, especially when coupled with the ugliest form of bias and discrimination--CLASSISM--we will be doomed. The discussion I hope will also serve to delve int thes issues, as well as a way of dialouge of how to best work to get the rights we are entitled to.

Sorry gang, meant to post this here:
I am entirely in favor of racial and economic justice work, being a working class racial minority myself. But really, why is an LGBT rights organization having as the primary national conference focus racial and economic justice? This is what has been wrong with the Task Force for so many years, and why it has marginalized itself into oblivion. Yes, I agree that racial and economic justice are very important values. And I understand that oppressions are connected. But do you see the NAACP or La Raza National Conferences devoting their first day to LGBT equality? Uh, no. Why? BECAUSE THAT'S THE TASK FORCE'S JOB. It's called division of labor. I love the Task Force, but come on. Get real.

Hi Monica, yeah actually, I do know that not all LGBT people are white. I am one of those non-white LGBT people. But I do not expect one of my national LGBT organizations to devote much of their national conference every year (I've been to 3 Creating Changes) to racial and economic equality. Do you see the NAACP devoting so much of its national conference to LGBT equality? No. And there is nothing wrong with that. They're not a gay civil rights group. It's important for them to be supporters of gay equality, but to the extent of devoting entire days of a national conference to it? Absolutely not. This is the same Task Force that involved itself in nuclear disarmament years ago, and peace in Bosnia, and everything under the sun EXCEPT the hard, targetted work needed towards LGBT civil rights.