A Conversation With a Gay Activist

In this episode, Blake Wilkinson, co-founder of Queer Liberaction, traces the origins of his own personal activism, and both he and Rick discuss the imperatives of such endeavors. Amidst a public that, by and large, considers itself already encumbered by enough daily worries, are activist demonstrations reduced to stunts that fall on deaf ears? Beyond an examination of how activism shapes the personality or, dare say, future of our community, this conversation explores the limitations of activism’s impact. Is the significance solely in the message or is it ultimately judged according to its reception? And how able or willing is our community to receive?

Recorded by Rick Vanderslice in Dallas on March 30th, 2009.

Queer Liberaction

Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance

Human Rights Campaign

Day of Decision (a national organization reacting to the California court decision on Propostion

Stonewall Democrats of Dallas

Wikipedia entry on Larry Kramer

His Cooper Union speech

And an edited transcript of an interview conducted with him on Jan. 22, 2005

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Salon: Sex and Marriage

Here we discuss relationships and marriage, as well as the standards and parameters that are set by our society and by ourselves. Can love exist successfully outside of personal exclusivity and how is happiness and power maintained within the roles that partners play?

In a nation under debate as to what qualifies as valid in terms of matrimony and sexuality, much of our social mores concerning these things have been openly challenged within recent history, at times defied. Aside from being due to what some see as a moral decline, the rest may be inclined to view the results as positive due to a supposed increase of what is still lacking to this day: honesty and communication.

Much of this episode revolves around openness between partners and between peers. Ultimately, what is there to hide? What lies between honest behavior and dishonest misbehavior? Yet, also, where and how does love, loyalty, and sexuality exist in the midst of institution and tradition?

Journalist, columnist, and author of Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage Jenny Block joins us with regular member, social/political observer Roy Calhoun, and writer/poet R.J. Jackson. Hosted by Rick Vanderslice in Dallas on February 22nd, 2009.

Jenny Block’s website

Sex Talk with Jenny Block

We briefly mention Fox News and its talent at simultaneously adhering to the tits-and-ass and moral indignation crowds. Not that gratuitious sex is hard to find on television, yet when paired with admonitions of sexual conservatism, it has an odd effect:

This video points it out well.

Local pastor Ed Young, promoter of the 7 Day Sex Challenge, not to be confused with Relevant Church’s 30 Day Sex Challenge:

His interview with Stephen Colbert.

Stonewall

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