Care

Most strategies to marginalize sexual and gender minorities rely on proving that these groups don’t deserve care. This is done by:

• identifying them as not being part of society (either because they are unwanted, or because they come from ‘outside’)
• labeling them as dangerous

This strategy often goes with the promotion of “care” towards members of society which are seen as in need of protection. In this case mainly children, hence the often raised argument about “protecting children from propaganda/enrolment”.

In terms of campaigning for sexual and gender minorities, the value of care is particularly important and powerful and there are many entry points for making it work: showing members of sexual and gender minorities care for each other; showing them care for others; showing how other people care for them.

Each of these approaches has its own specific power, but they all have one impact in common: they deconstruct the idea that LGBTQI people are “others”, who don’t deserve care.

This picture posted by two Black fathers is powerful example of shifting social norms on care within a Black LGBT family. It was so powerful it got picked up by NIKON for their diversity campaign.