The Demise of Stonewall - sad

[BewaretheIckabog]

I am an eighties throwback. Straight as you can get but Stonewall stood up for all my gay and lesbian friends.

I have my own opinions about Peter Tatchell and Stonewall.

Through all their faults I thought they were the good guys.

I’m saddened by what’s happening but do have a cynical view of those who get in to charities to push their own agenda. There are big salaries for people who are little more than student activists.

There are so many of these people who use charities as their personal cheque book and power trip. They manipulate and abuse the volunteers and fund raisers. They view the intended recipients as their playthings.

Would it help to note all the huge progress that has been made since the 80s, wrt lesbian and gay rights?

The point of a charity, pressure group or NGO is to make itself redundant. From what I can see, Stonewall was pretty successful in that respect, or at least part of the movement that achieved a lot of that, but unfortunately in recent years has apparently tried to remake itself in a rather unfortunate new model, instead of maybe recognising that the rights and protections that it fought for have largely been won.

Many charities have been invaded by business types who get massive salaries.

Many seem to have no personal reasons for having an interest in that particular cause.

Also read there's a lot have turned into focusing on donations by spending loads of money getting donations and losing focus on what the money is for.

@ArabellaScott yes it is helpful as Stonewall were a great organisation. I’m saddened by what they represent now.

I guess part of my problem is I absolutely get same sex attraction, bisexuality and can’t see why they would be a problem to others.

I do not understand the queer agenda, the public acceptance of fetishism and much else. I miss the Stonewall of the eighties and nineties.

Would it help to note all the huge progress that has been made since the 80s, wrt lesbian and gay rights?

I would be thrilled if organisations like CPAG were no longer necessary because they'd fulfilled their function and there were adequate legal and administrative policies in place. Likewise, Shelter - it shouldn't have needed to become a permanent organisation.

If only there were a history of organisations set up to achieve a set of objectives, achieving them, and then dismantling or downsizing. Stonewall could have done this - instead, they're on course to tarnish or even destroy the legacy of the people who set it up.

It's a real shame.

Dismantling all they stood for.. Not homosexual no. Same gender attraction.

What the hell were they thinking.

And there is plenty to do.
In UK.
Stuff around LGB and refugees who come here.
Stuff around all the homophobia in sport esp football.
Sexual health is still an important message.
The specific risks for gay male runaways (prob other groups. Care leavers. I'd imagine there's a few).
Chemsex issues/ risks.
Homophobia in schools/ words meaning gay continue to be used as insults
Etc etc

That's just in the UK, worldwide massive issues. Really huge. Raise awareness etc? Support orgs in those countries etc etc

They didn't have to take this route at all.

I'm like you OP, an eighties throwback. And like you I mourn the Stonewall that was, and that's why I despise the Stonewall that is. They're spitting in the face of all that Stonewall that was achieved.

I came across a good quote recently -

“Every great cause begins as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually degenerates into a racket.” (Eric Hoffer)

It really sums it up. They've reached the 'racket' stage.

It isn't demising fast enough, IMHO

My opinion of tha charity sector has really changed this year. I've even cancelled a few DD. Lots of fashionable causes rather than what they purported to be aiming for. It dies have the stink of cool jobs for posh people. I often wonder how many feel like me. A long time ago I actually worked in the sector and it shocked me then the waste and frankly laziness of some people involved.

Lots of charities trying to be "inclusive" in order to increase their funding, when by their very nature they should be exclusive.

I wonder if Stonewall were a bit taken aback by the complete lack of drama with which gay marriage was legalised under the Coalition? It was pretty much a non-event politically. Homophobia in sport, especially the national sport, would have been the obvious next target.

@NiceGerbil

It's a real shame.

Dismantling all they stood for.. Not homosexual no. Same gender attraction.

What the hell were they thinking.

And there is plenty to do.
In UK.
Stuff around LGB and refugees who come here.
Stuff around all the homophobia in sport esp football.
Sexual health is still an important message.
The specific risks for gay male runaways (prob other groups. Care leavers. I'd imagine there's a few).
Chemsex issues/ risks.
Homophobia in schools/ words meaning gay continue to be used as insults
Etc etc

That's just in the UK, worldwide massive issues. Really huge. Raise awareness etc? Support orgs in those countries etc etc

They didn't have to take this route at all.

Totally agree with this. Homophobia is not such a thing of the past that Stonewall should have been dismantled.